The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, multi-issue organization driven by the energy and commitment of several hundred thousand members and supporters nationwide. It encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Founded in 1920 at the culmination of the 73 year struggle to gain women's suffrage, the League took as its first charge helping to education 20 million women on how to exercise their new political rights and responsibilities. Though programs and priorities have changed over the years, the League has remained true to its basic purposes:
- to establish positions on public policy issues through member participation and agreement
- to take concerted actions that secure public policies consistent with League positions
- to enhance citizen participation in federal, state, and local government decisions
- to increase citizen participation in the election process
The League is organized on the same levels of government: local, state, and national. There are approximately 1,250 local Leagues, 50 state Leagues and Leagues in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Together they comprise the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS).
Any person, male or female, may become a member of the League. (Voting members must be citizens and over 18 years of age). Joining at any level automatically confers membership at every level. With that membership comes the opportunity to work on and be informed about local, state, regional, and national program issues.
The League arrives at its positions through research, study, and a process of member agreement. Whether the topic in question is the need for a new city ordinance, a state budget proposal, or national security problem, League action is based on the general consensus of members who have weighed the facts on both sides of the issue. This thorough way of forging positions gives the League its unique force and credibility with government policy makers.
The League takes action at all levels of government to press its point of view on public policy issues. The League's efforts to shape public policy encompass a variety of strategies including lobbying for or against legislation and monitoring legislation to ensure full and fair implementation of laws or to challenge laws that are viewed as unjust.
Lobbying efforts at the local, state and national levels include testimony, letter writing and telephoning, coalition work, petition drives, community outreach, and media campaigns.
Read our diversity policy
|
