New Membership System FAQs

These FAQs are for general members. For a more in-depth look at what the coming changes mean at the League level, please see the League Management Site.

Beginning February 3, 2025, the League of Women Voters will be changing some of the processes around membership. Going forward, most members will join and renew through a centralized online form that will be used for all Leagues around the country, although it will still be possible to join offline. This form will be available from each League’s website. More information about what this new system will mean for you is below.

What is ChapterSpot?

ChapterSpot is a membership platform (website) where you will be able to log in and update your own member information and renew your membership online.

Why is LWV adopting a unified membership system?

There are many benefits to this new system. First, this will increase and diversify overall membership and accordingly will increase our ability to fulfill our mission. Second, restructuring the dues model will increase the funding at the state and local levels where it is needed. Third, adopting technology that streamlines membership will free up time for League leaders to focus on more substantive work.

What will the dues rate be?

Dues will be pay-what-you-can. The recommended dues rate will be $75, but you can pay any amount more than that, or any amount less than that to a minimum of $20. If your League’s current dues rate is higher than $75, you are encouraged to continue to pay the current dues rate to help the League maintain its current budget.

How much of my dues will go to my local League?

20% of dues will go to the local League, 47% will go to the state League, and 33% will go to LWVUS.

Can I make a contribution that goes exclusively to my local League?

Yes. On the page after you choose your dues rate, there will be an option to make a contribution directly to your local League. 100% of that donation will go to your League.

What payment methods can I use?

The preferred payment method is ACH, which is an electronic payment method that just requires typing in the numbers at the bottom of a check. This is preferred because it has the lowest fees and maximizes the amount of money going toward League work. The secondary option is to pay online by credit/debit card. It will also still be possible to pay by check as needed.

Can I still pay by check?

Yes. This is not the preferred method because this requires more time and effort from the League treasurer, but it is still possible. If you need to pay by check, the check should be made out to LWVUS and given to your League’s treasurer.

Are my dues tax-deductible?

Any portion of dues going to a 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible. If your local and/or state League dues are going to a 501(c)(3), that will be identified in your confirmation email, which can be used as a tax receipt.

Will there still be household memberships?

No. You can still sign up for yourself and someone else, but it’s not designated as a household membership anymore. The recommended dues rate will be $150 (the individual recommended rate times two) and the minimum rate will be $40 (the minimum rate times two), but as with individuals, you can choose any amount, including the current household rate at your League.

Will there still be lifetime memberships?

Yes, those who have been members for 50 or more years will still be exempt from dues.

Will there still be student memberships?

No. The pay-what-you-can model is intended to extend the understanding of possible financial need to all members, including students. Some Leagues may choose to subsidize members to pay below the $20 minimum.

When will I renew?

You will renew a year after your last renewal (e.g. if you renew in October, you will renew again the following October). This is in contrast to some Leagues that currently have everyone renew at the same time each year.

How will I know it’s time to renew?

You will receive an email reminder from ChapterSpot when your expiration date is approaching.

Is there an easier way?

Yes! If you check the box for auto-renew, each year your membership will automatically renew for the same rate you previously chose. You will still receive a reminder email notifying you that the renewal is coming up, but you won’t need to do anything.

When does membership switch over to ChapterSpot?

At the end of January/beginning of February 2025.

Should I still renew before it switches over?

Yes, prior to ChapterSpot launching you should still renew as usual.

Is there anything else I need to do?

In January/February 2025, you will be asked to log in to the ChapterSpot portal for the first time to “claim your membership.” This just means that you will log in and be given the opportunity to fill out any membership information asked by your League.

What if I don’t have my own email address?

Your email address is your username for ChapterSpot, so it’s important that you include one, even if you’re only a sometimes internet user. This is the way you will receive renewal reminders and forgot password emails. Because your email is your username, you won’t be able to have the same one as someone else. If you currently share an email, we recommend setting up a second email address that can forward messages to the one you primarily use, and we have a step-by-step guide for how to do this.

Can I sign up to get fewer emails?

Yes. You can unsubscribe from some types of messages, such as fundraising emails or optional newsletters. As a member of the organization, some messages, such as those about your membership, are not optional.

What if I don’t use the internet?

You will not be required to access the portal. You can continue to write checks for your dues payments and your League’s roster manager can continue to input your information to the roster as needed.

Can I put in a second address if I live in different places at different times of the year?

Yes, you will be able to do that in the ChapterSpot portal. What if I have additional questions later? Please email membership [at] lwv.org with any questions.