What is LWV?

What is LWV?

Non-Partisan Policy

Background

The League of Women Voters (LWV) was founded in 1920, six months before the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. LWV is is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit organization with the original intent was to help inform women on public policy to assist them in carrying out their new responsibility as voters without telling them how to vote. Soon after inception, LWV expanded its memebership to all citizens, regardless of gender. Today, LWV continues to conduct all activity according to principles that you can see here, with active Leagues in all 50 states and more than 750 local Leagues in counties and cities.

The League’s nonpartisan policy makes it possible to appeal to all of the voting public to participate fully in the political party of their choice. This provides a unique advantage to the League. Read more about the details of our non-partisan policy here.

While the state and national leagues will advocate on specific issues, our Nevada County League does not participate in those activities. That is why you will sometimes see recommendations on ballot measures from LWV California or the national league. Instead of contributing to these advocacy effort of the state and national Leagues,

Purpose

Without taking sides, LWV Nevada County seeks positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management by protecting voting rights, providing resources for informed citizenship, and encouraging civic engagement. 

Who We Are

We are women and men who are interested in how government works, how it impacts our lives, and who wish to be informed citizens and voters. Our members thrive on learning unbiased political information that is difficult to find elsewhere. Thoroughly researched information from members across the country gives us what we need to facilitate understanding of voters so they can make clear and objective voting decisions. 

New members are always welcome from any political party and any gender. The League is an organization that respects and values the richness of our community's culture and our members. 

What We Do

We explain Ballot Measures in an unbiased way that the voting public can understand.

We moderate Candidate Forums in a fair and balanced manner, that keeps focused on the issues.

We register voters.

We work at polling places.

We provide information of interest to voters.

What We Don't Do

The LWV never supports a candidate or a party at any level: local, state, or national. LWV Nevada County never supports or opposes legislation.

How We Operate

Our methods and processes provide the general public to freely contribute time and money, and to attend our public functions with or without membership. There are many choices in order to allow people to spend as much or as little time as they wish!

Whether you aspire to leadership or to participate as a valued member in you area of interest, the League welcomes your civic curiosity as a citizen of Nevada County. We offer our members webinars, workshops, and mentorship opportunities at all levels of the organization. Contact us to get involved in any way you choose - see our homepage for ideas. 

Our Local League History

Our Nevada County League was created in 1978 when a few League members from other areas moved here and formed a Member-at-Large group, which later developed into a Provisional League.

In 1984, the group was accorded full status by the National and California State Leagues as the League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County. The League changed its name to League of Women Voters of Nevada County in 2022 to include the entire county. 

2024-25 Board Members Board Members

Officers

  • Co-President – Lynn Forbes
  • Co-President - Jan Bedayn
  • Treasurer – Julie Hubbard
  • Secretary – Lauren Drutz
  • Voter Services - Randi Swisley
  • Education - JoAnn Castori 
  • Member at Large - Lisa Macrina
  • Member at Large - David Jones 

  • Membership - Jan Bedeyn (acting)

Past Presidents

  • Joan Lancaster & Miriam Swift 1980-1981
  • Mary Adams 1981-1982
  • Edi Silverman 1982-1984
  • Shirley Price 1984-1986
  • Eloise Gregory 1986-1987
  • Susan Shotwell 1987-1988
  • Virginia Birdsall 1988-1989
  • Bonnie Taylor 1989-1991
  • Eloise Gregory 1991-1992
  • Betty Taylor 1992-1993
  • Scottie Shields 1993-1995
  • Mary Dreifuss & Dottie Schmidt 1995-1996
  • Mary Dreifuss 1996-1997
  • June Englebright 1997-1999
  • Dottie Schmidt 1999-2000
  • Joan Lancaster 2000-2002
  • Mary Dreifuss & Edi Silverman 2002-2004
  • Dottie Schmidt 2004-2005
  • Board of Directors 2005-2007
  • Ruth Schwartz 2007-2010
  • Board of Directors 2010-2011
  • Karen Schwartz 2011-2014
  • Anne DeWitt 2014-2015
  • JoAnn Marie 2015-2017
  • Janice Bedayn 2017–2021
  • Fran Cole 2021-2023
  • Lynn Forbes, Jan Bedayn 2023-26

Other League Organizations

Our members are also members of League of Women Voters of California and League of Women Voters of the United States.

See other Leagues in California and other state Leagues and local League websites.