LWV National Convention in Washington, D.C.

by Anne Stone

The convention was held June 27-30 in Washington, D.C. and was the 56th biennial convention and was both in-person and virtual.There were both voting delegates and observers.

Our Orange Coast League had the following representatives:  Linda Moon, Susan Knight and Deborah Hanlan were in person delegates, Anne Stone was a virtual delegate, Karen Williams and Diane Nied were virtual observers.

The League Education and Advocacy program for 2024-26 was approved by the delegates.  

•  Re-adoption of the Campaign for Making Democracy Work® as recommended program for 2024-2026, which includes redistricting reform, voting rights protection, improving elections, money in politics and direct election of the president by popular vote.

•  Retention of all LWVUS positions in the areas of Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources and Social Policy as outlined in Impact on Issues (link).

•  Concurrence with the LWV of Washington State position on Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy, which includes a variety of approaches to address this decline. 

•  LWVUS-wide study on the Federal Judiciary.

The delegates also approved the following Resolutions:

The LWVUS 

• Strongly supports legislation that will establish statehood for the People of the District of Columbia.

• Reaffirms its commitment to fight for reproductive rights and justice, and against disinformation on this issue.

• Resolves that public libraries are essential institutions for strong, viable and sustainable democracies.

• Reaffirms its immigration position calling for fair and humane immigration reform

• Commits continuing support for the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) framework at the local, state and national level

• Recognizes the importance of ethics in government policies that apply broadly to all branches of government