Photo above: LWV President Dianna Wynn registering voters

Last week, the 2024 presidential election was decided. Donald Trump will again become President of the United States. He won both the Electoral College and the popular vote, and when that happens, it means the voters have spoken. 

Like you, we are still processing the implications of this election. Thanks to the tireless efforts of election workers and other democracy defenders, the election worked in many positive ways. Voter turnout was the second highest it's been in the past century, eclipsed only by the 2020 election. 

We know how hard League members worked to empower voters in this election, alongside other activists in pro-democracy and civil rights spaces. The success of the democratic process is a testament to their tireless efforts. As LWV’s CEO Celina Stewart, Esq., and I said in our joint statement on November 6, “We are thankful to Leagues across the country...as well as every election worker and democracy defender who guaranteed our fair and free voting process.” 

We Are Concerned for the Futures of Women, Communities of Color, the LGBTQIA+ Community, and Our Nation’s Immigrants  

We are proud of the League's work this election to empower voters and protect voting rights. However, we are deeply concerned for the future of women in the United States — as well as LGBTQIA+, Black, brown, and immigrant communities. 

We have reason to be concerned considering Mr. Trump’s past actions in office, promises made, and the tinge of sexism and racism throughout the campaign. 

Our Concern is Nonpartisan 

The League does not endorse candidates, but we have always engaged in political advocacy. The election is now over, and those who were elected are no longer candidates. As a nonpartisan organization, the League has every right to call out statements, actions, and policies that are counter to our values and principles. 

The League is an expert in nonpartisanship with over a century of experience in pro-democracy work. Navigating through a hyper-partisan political environment in a nonpartisan manner can be confusing to some. Despite what political parties may have you believe, issues are not inherently partisan. Of course, political parties take partisan positions on issues. But that does not alter the League’s nonpartisan approach.  

Advocating for gender and racial equity is not partisan. Calling out attacks on democracy is not partisan. After all, our mission is to “defend democracy.” We cannot live up to our mission if we are unwilling to speak up and speak out. 

To read Dianna Wynn's full artcle, see: LWVUS blog post, November 13, 2024.