What is the League of Women Voters?
The League of Women Voters is a multifaceted organization dedicated to keeping our democracy strong by giving every citizen a voice in government. We mobilize citizen action for a better America.
Nationally the League has more than 107,000 members in more than 1,140 communities around the country: women and men in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
What does the League do?
The League works through the American political process and with the citizens of this country to bring about constructive change.
We
- REGISTER millions to vote and
- DEFEND voting rights
- MONITOR government activities from city councils and school boards to state legislatures and the U.S. Congress.
- TEACH citizens about their rights and responsibilities.
- SPONSOR candidate debates and public issues forums
- INFORM through our in-depth and balanced issues analyses.
- TAKE ACTION … LOBBY … TESTIFY ... on the issues you care about.
- We help put LAWS on the books.
Does The League Support Parties Or Candidates?
The League is political, but strictly nonpartisan. Our members decide what issues the League will address and what action the League will take on the issues.
Where Do I Fit In?
If you are 18 or older, the League needs you. JOIN your friends, neighbors, and colleagues in the nationwide grassroots network that is helping the League shape the laws you live by.
You'll get in-depth information on the issues through League publications … meet the people who make things happen in your community … have a chance to sharpen your skills in any area you choose … make your voice heard in America's political process … help make your community, state, and country a better place to live.
How do I Become a Member?
Fill out and mail the Membership Form. Join at any level … local, state, or national … and you automatically become a member at every level.
JOIN TODAY!
Mission - The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization, encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
General Objective
- To establish positions on public policy through member participation and agreement
- To take concerted actions that secures public policies consistent with League positions
- To enhance citizens' participation in federal, state and local government decisions
- To increase citizen participation in the election process.
Policies - The League is nonpartisan. It never supports or opposes candidates or political parties. To protect this nonpartisan policy, most League officers and board members who represent the League of Women Voters before the public refrain from active party work during their League term of office. No current officer or board member may run for public office, but all other members are encouraged to work as individuals in the parties and campaigns of their choice. The League wants and needs politically active members.
Local organization - Our League is made up of a board of directors elected by the general membership, committees and task forces, local units and individual members. Committees and task forces offer members many opportunities to get involved in researching, writing, publishing and disseminating vital information to members and the public on issues such as education, local government, social policies and environmental quality.
Units are the grassroots level of a local League. Most units meet regularly in a discussion group format focusing on program-related materials. Units can gather and/or disseminate information, be a means to reach member agreement/consensus, organize and implement a special project, act as an action team on a particular item/issue or work with the local board to promote a League position.
Program - The League arrives at its positions through research, study and a process of member agreement. League action is based on the general consensus of members who have weighed the facts on all sides of an issue. This thorough way of forging positions gives the League its unique influence and credibility with government policy makers. Atlanta-Fulton's local program is adopted at the Annual Meeting each year. State programs are adopted at biennial conventions based on general agreement of the Local Leagues. National programs are adopted at biennial conventions based on general agreement from state and 1ocal Leagues
Action - The League takes action at all levels of government to promote 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, monitoring, and litigation when necessary to ensure full implementation of laws or to challenge unjust laws.