A "position" is an official, formally adopted stance on a specific public policy issue.
Here's what makes an LWV position distinctive:
How positions are formed: Positions are developed through a deliberate consensus process — members study an issue in depth, discuss it, and collectively agree on a stance. This bottom-up process is central to the League's identity.
What they cover: Positions span a wide range of policy areas, including voting rights, campaign finance, healthcare, the environment, immigration, and government structure.
Nonpartisan nature: LWV positions are never tied to a political party or candidate. They advocate for policies, not politicians.
Purpose: Once adopted, a position gives the League the authority to take public action — such as lobbying legislators, filing legal briefs, or issuing public statements — on that issue at the local, state, or national level.
Levels: Positions can exist at the national level (adopted by the national LWV) or at the state/local level (adopted by state or local League chapters), and they may differ somewhat across levels.
In short, a "League of Women Voters position" is an officially consensus-backed policy stance that authorizes the organization to advocate on a given issue—grounded in research, member agreement, and civic principle rather than partisan alignment.
Local/County Positions
- Annexation of Developed Unincorporated Areas
- Community College in San Mateo County
- Corrections System in San Mateo County
- County Charter and County Government
- Education K-12 & Quality Multicultural Education
- Health Care Delivery
- Homeless In San Mateo County
- Housing
- Land Use
- San Mateo Public Library
- Transportation in San Mateo County
Joint Position with LWV Palo Alto
State and National Positions
- Positions of the League of Women Voters of California
- Positions of the League of Women Voters - National