The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue only when we have a position addressing it. If the members have not studied and come to consensus on it, the League 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 we undertake thorough pursuit of facts and details, both positive and negative, and come to consensus about policy.
Current Study: LWVNYS's Voting Systems Approval Process
The LWV Cooperstown is not participating in this study as a Lelague, but all members are encouraged to do so as individuals. You can read more about this study on the LWVNY website
Also on that page you can dowload your response form.
Member Agreement will be determined by the LWVNYS Board after consideration of responses from local Leagues using the same standards for geographic distribution for participating local Leagues as is currently used and the same 2/3 standard for approval. Responses of both individual members and local Leagues will be considered, with responses from local Leagues being weighted by the number of members participating in that League’s meeting. For example, a local League with 16 participating members will get 1.5 times 16 or 24 units. Each individual responding as an individual will count as 1 unit. This weighted counting is intended to encourage local League participation in the process.
The deadline to submit your individual consensus form is May 15.
What Studies Are There?
Studies from across the nation are in our League of Women Voters Education Fund Clearinghouse for studies.
What Is The Study Process?
- Study Committee members fashion consensus questions that are then asked of the membership as part of a study kit. Kits often include articles, books, data in the form of charts and graphs, videos, suggested speakers, discussion questions, and other resources. Members use the study kit internally and often with their community to better understand the issue.
- Consensus is the overall decision-making process by which substantial agreement among members is reached on an issue. Often this happens over the course of several meetings, but may include surveys and other methods. If the members reach consensus, the board forms recommended positions based on that consensus. Those recommendations are submitted to the Study Committee.
- The Study Committee then reviews all the submissions. It works to form a consensus statement - the statement resulting from the consensus questions - that becomes a recommended position.
- That recommended position is then reviewed and voted on by our members (usually by delegates at our Convention). The proposal may be approved, amended, or be rejected at that time.
- If a position is adopted, firm action can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action can not be taken on that issue.
Read the national Guidelines for LWVUS Studies.
