The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We take action on public policy positions established through member study and agreement. We are political, but we do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

Many issues today are framed in partisan terms, and it can feel impossible to communicate at all without being accused of taking a side. Being painted into ideological corners because of a stance our organization takes is not a new phenomenon, but it continues to undermine a vibrant democracy. Discussion, discourse, and listening to other points of view are what makes democracy work. 

More than 100 years ago, the League of Women Voters was founded to be a nonpartisan voice for American women who wanted free, fair, and open elections, above all else. Our founders believed that voters must always have the facts, no matter how difficult those facts could be to accept, especially when they challenge one’s beliefs about a candidate or political party. Our founders were attacked for taking positions rooted in fact back then, and today, not much has changed. League leaders continue to face this challenge and often stand accused of being partisan for our efforts to advance democracy. 

Issues are Not Partisan

The League’s advocacy work is issue-based, and we arrive at our positions based on careful study and input from our members. We can agree with a politician or candidate on an issue, but that does not mean we endorse the candidate. We also NEVER provide funding to political candidates. 

Issues may evolve over the years, but our allegiance will always be first and foremost to the voters.

Democracy is a Civil Rights Issue: 

Our mission to ‘empower voters and defend democracy’ has not changed in our 100 years. Unfortunately, in this hyper-partisan environment, people make inaccurate assumptions about this work. Supporting the democratic processes of registering voters and protecting the ballot box is seen by some as opposing one political party, even though fair elections are the foundations of our democracy. Likewise, empowering voters who previously have been left out of the process and supporting policies that set right systemic racism does not mean we align with one party. Rather, it means we are doing what we were founded to do: to stand up for what is right.  

Wanting every eligible voter to have equal access to the ballot box is not partisan. Wanting a strong democracy in which everyone has an equal voice and equal representation is not partisan. Wanting to see more elected officials who reflect the diverse makeup of our country is not partisan – it is American. 

Our Nonpartisan Activities: 

• Voter registration 
• Voter education, including nonpartisan candidate forums 
• Vote411, our nonpartisan guide to voting and candidates 
• Advocacy in line with our official positions, which are adopted by our grassroots membership every two years. 

All Are Welcome! 

Whether you identify politically as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian,  conservative, liberal, moderate, progressive, or another political perspective, you have a place in the League, as long as you are committed to our belief in an inclusive democracy.