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 is revisiting and studying 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 to be involved on the committee, 
click HERE.
Current Studies under review and updated at the state level in Oregon for 2023 - Childcare Methods restudy was updated on January 25th and Election Methods restudy was completed & adopted by the state board on February 10th.
The delegates at the State Convention in May voted to pursue a new statewide study on the recall process in Oregon.
Privacy & Cybersecurity was updated and adopted in 2020.
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.
LWVCC has just finished an update on its advocacy position on the International Port of Coos Bay.
2024 - LWVCC is continuing to Study County Home Rule. An update on the committee's progress was presented to the membership in an open meeting on Saturday, February 24th. If you would be interested in joining this committee contact Kay Kerriden, LWVCC President at the phone number or email address listed at the bottom of this page.
