Program

Program

Voter Outreach Issue Education Advocacy - Our Communities Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, Woodside

The League of Women Voters Program is the set of issues and topics that the League has officially chosen to study, act on, or advocate for during a given period—essentially the organization's agenda or work plan. This set of issues and topics is called "Issues for Emphasis."

What it is: The Program is the collection of issues on which the League is authorized to take action, based on its adopted positions. It defines the scope of the League's work at any given time—locally, at the state level, or nationally.

How it is determined: The Program is selected by the membership at the national or state convention. Members vote on which issues to prioritize for study or action in the coming period.

Two main components:

  • Action Program—issues on which the League already has positions and can actively lobby, litigate, or advocate.

  • Study Program—issues the League is currently researching and building consensus on, with the goal of eventually adopting a position.

Why it matters: The Program keeps the organization focused and accountable. The League does not act on issues outside its current program, even if members have personal opinions on them. This discipline reinforces its credibility and nonpartisan integrity.

Relationship to positions: The Program and positions work together—positions are the what (where the League stands), while the Program is the what we're working on right now.

In summary,  the League Program is the organization's formally adopted, member-driven work agenda that determines which policy issues the League will study and/or advocate on during a defined period.

The League of Women Voters Program 2024–2026 continues the campaign for Making Democracy Work®, whose Issues for Emphasis include: 

  • Voting Rights 
  • Improving Elections 
  • Campaign Finance/Money in Politics 
  • Redistricting 
  • Direct Election of the President by Popular Vote

The League of Women Voters of California's Issues for Emphasis are:

  • Making Democracy Work®,
  • Criminal Justice/Legal System Reform,
  • Housing/Homelessness,
  • Climate Change/Sustainability

 

At the 2025 LWVSSMC Annual Meeting, our League adopted the following Issues for Emphasis.

 

Our League Issues for Emphasis

  • Making Democracy Work®
    • Voting Rights
    • Improving Elections
    • Campaign Finance/Money in Politics
    • Redistricting
    • Direct Election of the President by Popular Vote
  • Immigration
  • Climate Change
  • Housing and Homelessness

Countywide (shared with LWVNCSMC) Issues for Emphasis

  • Local Government Transparency and Accountability

Extend the local study for one more year to examine how local elections are financed, reporting practices, and how that information is made available to the public.

  • Independent Redistricting Commission

The goal is to adopt legally binding legislation requiring independent commissions for county supervisors in election voting districts.

  • Voter Engagement and Civic Education

Increase voter engagement and civic education for all county residents.
Increase engagement of underrepresented youth and others in elections, turning non-voters into voters.