The League of Women Voters of Connecticut strives every day to empower voters and defend democracy. We are proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties, and always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.
Our 2021 Legislative Priorities include:
1. Protecting and Expanding Voters’ Rights and Access through Early In-Person Voting and No-Excuse Absentee Ballots
2. People Powered Fair Maps: Insisting on a Fair and Transparent Redistricting Process
We need transparency in the redistricting process AND in the political and demographic data used to create maps; we need public hearings that would allow traditionally marginalized groups to have their voices heard.
Read more about the People Powerd Fair Maps Campaign here.
3. Open Government - Transparency
The League believes that the public has the right to know and participate in government decision making. In 2011, CT-N.com shed light on the redistricting process by covering the Reapportionment Commission's meetings and Congressional District public hearings. Connecticut needs to protect and promote access to legislative processes by funding CT-N.com (ctn.state.ct.us) and Community Access TV.
Read the CT-N mission statement HERE.
4. Campaign Finance: Citizens/Clean Election Program (CEP)
The League of Women Voters of Connecticut supports a campaign finance system that ensures the public's right to know, combats corruption and undue influence, and enables candidates to compete more equitably for public office. The CEP is a model for the USA. The CEP was established to address corrupt campaign finance practices in 2005. LWVCT worked hard to pass this legislation with our coalition partners Common Cause Connecticut and Connecticut Citizen Action Group. At the 2020 celebration of its 15th Anniversary, CEP was described as “strong medicine for a very sick system.” This is why LWVCT continues to fight to protect the CEP.
5. Environment & Climate
The League of Women Voters of Connecticut supports state policies and programs which promote comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and development of land and water resources.
Solid Waste Management -- Bottle Bill: For nearluy 50 years, the League of Women Voters has supported policies promoting recycling, including advocating for Connecticut’s beverage container redemption law, commonly known as the “Bottle Bill.” This legislation has proven effective in increasing the recycling of high-quality material, reducing litter in streets, beaches, and parks, and saving taxpayers money. The law to modernize the 40-year old Bottle Bill is now called SB 1037: An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management.
Transportation/Climate Initiative -- SB 884 An Act to Reduce Transportation-Related Carbon Emissions. Addresses the intersection of concerns and LWVCT positions contained in the LWVUS position on Climate Change/Energy to "Preserve the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the ecosystem, with maximum protection of public health and the environment. Support environmentally sound policies that reduce energy growth rates, emphasize energy conservation, and encourage the use of renewable resources. Additionally, support measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including cap and trade programs, carbon offsets, low-carbon fuels and green building standards."
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Want to get involved in our 2021 Advocacy Efforts?
Join the LWVCT OutreachCircle!
Visit our Advocacy PageJoin us for the 2021 Advocacy Workshop
