As an educated voter, it's important that you understand our process for researching issues, taking positions on them, and informing the community through advocacy. Click on the red links to learn more about how studies, positions, and program play a role in the League.
If members have not studied and come to consensus on an issue, the League of Women Voters has no position and therefore cannot take action. Studies (whether national, state, or local) are a defined process lasting one to three years, during which time we undertake a thorough pursuit of facts and details and come to consensus on a policy. That consensus becomes our position.
The LWV advocates or lobbies on issues or causes when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause. Local, state, and national positions result from a process of study, and positions are developed only when members reach consensus (the overall decision-making process by which substantial agreement among members is reached on an issue). Members are not required to agree with all League positions.
Program can be thought of as the League's issues for emphasis, or the issues that we choose for concerted study, education, and action at local, state, and national levels. The program planning process is part of what makes the League a grassroots organization; each League member can influence the selection of issues on which the League will focus time, talent, and money.
Advocacy at the National Level
Advocacy at the National Level
Click here to learn how the LWVUS uses these elements to shape advocacy efforts at the national level. (The work done by the LWVUS often serves as a model for other League chapters as they conduct studies, adopt positions, and organize program.) You can read more about LWVIL advocacy by reviewing the resources featured here.
