The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit member organization. The League neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for public office and is dedicated to encouraging informed and active participation in government with active Leagues in all 50 states and more than 750 local Leagues in counties and cities.
LWV was founded in 1920, six months before the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote, with the intent to help inform women on public policy to assist them in carrying out their new responsibility as voters. Yet, the LWV quickly expanded its scope to provide public policy education to all citizens, regardless of gender, to be informed and active participants in government. LWV continues today to be fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice.
The League of Women Voters has two separate and distinct roles.
Voter Service/Citizen Education: All LWV organizations work to increase understanding of major public policy issues by presenting unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and public policy issues through fair and balanced moderation of Candidates' Forums, and unbiased analysis of the Pros & Cons of ballot propositions. Without taking sides, we seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management. The full Nonpartisan Policy issued by LWV-US is here and the Nonpartisan Policy issued by LWV-California can be seen here.
Action/Advocacy: While our Nevada County League does not participate in Advocacy, the state and national leagues do oprerate a seperate nonprofit 501(c)(4) organizations that advocate on specific issues and sometimes make recommendations on ballot measures after those members have done extensive research and have achieved consensus. All activity is still nonpartisan, and must align with the positions established by LWV at the national level.
You can learn more about our local League in Nevada County, including our Board of Directors here.
