Summary
The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.
Mission
Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
Vision
We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.
Value
We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.
OnAir Post: League of Women Voters
About
Source: Website
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.
Board of Directors & Trustees
Our Board of Directors works to further our mission. Officers and board members are elected at our biannual Conventions for a two-year term. Board of Trustees
Leadership & Staff
The League of Women Voters of the United States staff works to promote the League’s mission and work at the national level, and to support over 800 state and local Leagues in their work on League priority issues within the Campaign for Making Democracy Work®.  Leadership & Staff
Membership & Local Leagues
Our members, more than 500,00, are passionate activists who support our work in all 50 states and in more than 700 communities.
Contact
Locations
LWV National Headquarters
1730 M Street NW, Suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20036-4508
Phone: 202-429-1965
Web Links
Videos
League of Women Voters at 100
January 29, 2020
By: League of Women Voters
Progress is in our DNA. The League of Women Voters turns 100 years old in 2020, and so do US women’s voting rights. Check out www.lwv.org/sheisme to see stories of how our members are shaping the next 100 years of women voting.
We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.
That’s been our vision since 1920, when the League of Women Voters was founded by suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt, just a few months before the 19th Amendment became law.
Our founders embarked on a “mighty political experiment” to empower women at the polls through grassroots advocacy and nonpartisan voter education.
Throughout the last century, we never stopped moving towards a future where every voter is empowered to play a critical role in our democracy.
We’ve fought for the rights of voters, we’ve built alliances that strengthen democracy across the globe, and in the years since we hosted the Presidential debates, we’ve stood strong in our role as advocates for informed participation in government.
But we haven’t always done it perfectly.
The suffrage movement was not inclusive of all women, and neither was the League. Black suffragists were forced to walk at the back of parades. The League deliberately created barriers for women of color to join and lead the organization. The women who achieved power through the passage of the 19th Amendment were unfortunately reluctant to expand that power to other women who didn’t look like them.
The League of Women Voters has made mistakes. And as we move into our second century, we are striving to do better.
The League today is more diverse, more inclusive, and more equitable. We know our work is stronger when all women’s voices are heard. As we look to our next 100 years, we aim to build power for the next generation of women leaders and voting rights activists.
Voting Rights & Election Administration in America: Panel discussion
October 21, 2019
By: League of Women Voters
The House Administration Subcommittee on Elections held a hearing Thursday, October 17, 2019, on voting rights and election administration in the U.S. League of Women Voters CEO Virginia Kase appeared on a panel featuring civil rights organization leaders.
Voting Rights
Source: Website
Voting is a fundamental right and all eligible voters should have the equal opportunity to exercise that right. We are dedicated to ensuring that our elections remain free, fair and accessible.
Why it matters & what we’re doing
Voting is a sacred right. For nearly 100 years, we have fought to protect the rights of eligible voters and expand access for those who’ve been left out of our democratic process. Our volunteers spearhead efforts to enact common-sense voting reforms and we are the first to fight back when voters’ rights are threatened. We protect millions of voters every year through aggressive advocacy and education efforts and we have been at the forefront of major voting rights court cases over the last decade.
Expanding Voter Access
We fight to increase voters’ access to the polls, including expanding early voting, automatic and online voter registration.
Redistricting
Congressional districts and government legislative bodies should be apportioned substantially on population. We oppose partisan and racial gerrymandering that strips rights away from voters.
Money in Politics
Elections should be about the voters not big money interests. It’s time to limit SuperPACs and secret donors to protect representative democracy.
Fighting Voter Suppression
We challenge all efforts and tactics that threaten our democracy and limit the ability of voters to exercise their right to vote.
Elections
Source: Website
We are all equal at the ballot box, but only if we vote. We engage millions of voters every year ensuring Americans have the information they need to participate in elections that determine our future.
Why it matters and what we are doing
Elections impact every aspect of our lives, and we all need to weigh in. Through our award-winning voter education programs, our volunteers equip millions of voters with essential information about the election process, provide trusted and sought-after information about candidates and issues on federal, state and local ballots. Every year we host thousands of community events to mobilize and help voters participate as well as hundreds of debates and forums nationwide for voters to hear directly from the candidates.
Educating Voters
We host hundreds of events and programs every year to educate voters about candidates in thousands of federal, state and local races, as well as distribute millions of educational materials about state and local elections.
Why it matters
The leaders we elect make decisions that affect our daily lives. Elections are our chance to stand up for what matters most to us and to have an impact on the issues that affect us, our communities, our families and our future.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
We host hundreds of candidate debates and forums across the country each year and provide straightforward information about candidates and ballot issues. Through print and online resources, including VOTE411.org, we equip voters with essential information about the election process in each state, including polling place hours and locations, ballot information, early or absentee voting rules, voter registration deadlines, ID requirements and more.
Other Issues
Source: Website
From advancing health care to protecting the environment, voters care about many issues. We promote social and economic justice as well as the health and safety of all Americans to defend democracy.
Why it matters and what we are doing
Our leaders and volunteers work on key issues that matter to American voters. We fight for an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive and we hold elected officials accountable for the decisions they make. Our activists mobilize to send tens of thousands of personal messages to political leaders nationwide that has impacted public policy for decades.
Health Care Reform
Every U.S. resident should have access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control and the privacy to make reproductive choices.
Why it matters
The U.S. health care system should provide a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost to all U.S. residents. Basic care includes disease prevention, primary care (including prenatal and reproductive health), acute long-term care, mental health care, as well as health promotion and education. Health care policy goals should include the equitable distribution of services and delivery of care, advancement of medical research and technology, and a reasonable total national expenditure level.
What we’re doing
Over the past 20 years, we have lobbied for health care policy solutions, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), to control costs and ensure a basic level of care for all. Throughout the health care debates of the past few decades, Leagues worked to provide millions of Americans across the country with objective information about the health care system and its significant reforms. This included organizing community education projects, holding public forums and debates, creating and distributing resource materials, and engaging leading policy makers and analysts.
The Environment
As citizens of the world we must protect our planet from the physical, economic and public health effects of climate change while also providing pathways to economic prosperity.
Why it matters
The preservation of the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the earth’s ecosystem is essential for maximum protection of public health and the environment. The interrelationships of air, water and land resources should be recognized in designing environmental safeguards. The federal government should have the major role in setting standards for environmental protection and pollution control.
What we’re doing
Since the 1960s, we have been at the forefront of efforts to protect air, land and water resources. Our approach to environmental protection and pollution control is one of problem solving. The League’s environmental goals aim to prevent ecological degradation, and to reduce and control pollutants before they go down the sewer, up the chimney or into the landfill. We support vigorous enforcement mechanisms, including sanctions for states and localities that do not comply with federal standards as well as substantial fines for noncompliance.
Census
The U.S. Census is required under the U.S. Constitution to occur every 10 years and is the process of counting every resident in the country. For the first time ever, in 2020 the Census will be primarily digitally based.
Why it matters
The U.S. Census data is used to make decisions around education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation. With increased growth in the country, getting an accurate and complete count of every person living within is crucial to ensure that each state receives funding to support the number of residents in each state. This Census the focus continues to be on reaching hard to count communities and ensuring these communities get included in the Census count.
What we’re doing
The League’s Census work will occur in three phases: (1) Education; (2) Get Out to Count activities, (3) Watchdog reporting. In the months leading up to Census Day—April 1, 2020—Leagues around the country will be in communities sharing information and resources about how to participate and the importance of the U.S. Census. On Census Day, the League will work in coalition to help get everyone counted, work in Complete Count Committees to share out information about low-reporting areas, and communicate where additional support is needed. Once the Census count wraps up in the Summer/Fall of 2020, the League’s will remain in communities and will watchdog any issues from the ground.
Immigration
Immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet economic, business and employment needs; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises.
Why it matters
All persons should receive fair treatment under the law and it is critical for the U.S. to encourage immigrant participation in our democracy.
What we’re doing
We support federal immigration laws that provide efficient, expeditious systems for immigrants to enter the United States. Seeking asylum at points of entry into the United States is part of our legal immigration process and assaults on asylum seekers are unAmerican. The League of Women Voters stands in solidarity with immigrants and our partners in the immigrant rights community. The 116th Congress must take immediate action to pass common sense, fair immigration policies that end the crisis at our border, ends the separation of families, and provides a path to citizenship.
