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.
What Studies Are There?
The League of Woman Voters of Coos County revisited and studied the options and issues related to a home rule county governance. The scope of work includes the differences in structure between a home rule county and a general law county. Currently Coos County is a general law county. To learn more about this study or read a copy of the study which was adopted in May 2025, 
click HERE.
LWVCC also updated its advocacy position on the International Port of Coos Bay Access to the full study can be viewed at the bottom of the page on the previous link.
Current Studies under review and updated at the state level in Oregon - Childcare Methods was restudied and approved Jauary 25, 2023 and updated in 2025.
Currently the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) is engaged in several studies, including a major statewide review of Oregon's recall process. This is being conducted as a new statewide study. The League of Women Voters of Oregon conducts voter education and pro-democracy advocacy, and believes it is critical to understand the potential consequences of the recall process as part of our elections framework. Considering the growing use of the recall, LWVOR decided re-examine the process in detail to consider updating its position.
More details can be learned here.
LWVOR also has a new two-year study on K-12 education. This was launched by the LWVOR with an area of focus to exam three key aspects of education in the state: School safety, exceptional learners, and career/technical education. The league is actively seeking committee members for this study. The LWV believes every citizen should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all, and no person or group should suffer legal, economic, or administrative discrimination.
The proposal for a new k-12 education study for 25-27 can be viewed here.
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 LWV Studies.
