About the League

About the League

Speakers at League events for people powered fair maps

Mission

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in all levels of government through education and advocacy.

The League in Action

The League of Women Voters is a peoples' organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives.  We operate at national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well as in DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. We do not endorse or oppose candidates.

Formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for some women in 1920, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remain to expand civic participation. Our advocacy is grounded empowering voters and defending democracy.

The League of Women Voters has two separate and distinct roles:

Voter Services
This civic engagement and education work is the foundation of the League's work. We are a trusted, nonpartisan election and voting resource via; Vote411 - a one-stop shop for ballot and candidate information, candidate forums, as well as tabling, meetings and other events to promote information on the latest local, state and federal legislation and issues impacting our community. To conduct our voter services and citizen education activities, we use funds from The League of Women Voters Education Fund, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation, a nonprofit educational organization. Please consider supporting this important work with a tax-deductible donation today.
 
Advocacy and Action
After studying issues we use our positions to advocate for or against particular policies and legislation.
For more on League of Women Voters policy positions, see our Issues page.
Every two years the League holds a convention during which we set legislative priorities for the next two years.  At the 2020 Convention we set the following priorities:
     Voting Rights
     Improving Elections
     Money in Politics
     Redistricting
 

Our Local League Program

VOTE411
Our League contacts and updates the League's one-stop shop for all the election information you need - Vote411. There are links to registration and vote by mail applications as well as personalized candidate, ballot and polling place information. There is even an easy to use function for preparing a ballot then texting or emailing to yourself.  
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Community Events
We organize, and participate in, local events to register and help voters to get out the vote and support the community. We also arrange speakers on key issues whether it is equitable and fair school funding, updates from Harrisburg, or general civics education. Interested in having the League table or speak at your next event? info [at] lwvlmn.org (Contact us!)
Candidate Forums
We organize, sponsor and moderate forums for local and state government elections both virtually and in-person. Our Lower Merion School District Board of Directors Forum is done in coordination with, and moderated by, students and the InterSchool Council.
Legislative Interviews
Each year our members interview our representatives with guidance on topics and issues from the LWVPA advocacy groups. This information is used to support our advocacy in Harrisburg and studies on key issues.
Statewide Committees
Members of local leagues are encouraged to participate in LWVPA committee meetings led by the Board leaders of the respective issue areas. These meetings update members on the latest advocacy in Harrisburg as well as support for local actions. It is also a time to coordinate and learn from other League leaders across PA. These committees include; Voter Services, Environmental Policy, Government Policy, Social Policy, and the Equity Team.
Membership Meetings
We hold membership meetings the last Monday evening of the month, currently via Zoom. Please follow us on social media (links below) for the latest on the meeting schedule and zoom invite links. Non-members are welcome and invited, but of course we are stronger in numbers and encourage you to join us as a member. Students are free!

 

LEAGUE ACTION

At all three levels of the League - Local, State and National - members take action on important current issues like redistricting reform, voting rights, gun safety, fair and equitable school funding, environment justice, and much more.
Action takes many different forms from public meetings, lobbying legislators, drafting articles, making videos and other communications, media appearances, petitions, organizing events, and joining with other like-minded groups to increase awareness. This also includes litigation when necessary.
 
Why Should I Support the League of Women Voters?
The League is different from many organizations in that what it accomplishes comes directly from the involvement of its members. It is a grassroots organization providing every member with opportunities to learn and educate others about government and take action on public policy. We walk our talk: we believe that we need everyone to participate in order for our community to be strong, safe and vibrant. Whether you contribute your time, your money or both, you can feel confident that your investment in democracy goes further in the League.

Groups of League members meet to discuss topics in a respectful setting. They learn effective techniques for public discussion, how to advocate on specific policies, and what the issues beneath the rhetoric are. Our study and consensus process ensures that we are fully informed on issues before we take a stand. We also host public forums and debates which are well known for being fair, transparent and civil. This approach has earned the League a global reputation for integrity and thoroughness.
 
Your participation in League will expose you to a breadth of experiences and issues that will not only inform you but create greater possibilities for civic engagement than you might imagine. You can spend as much or as little time as you wish. Whether you aspire to leadership or are keen to follow the lead of experienced members, the League will excite, use, and nurture your civic curiosity, ideals, or desire for action. We offer our members webinars, conference calls, workshops, other events and mentorship opportunities throughout the year, at the local, regional, state and national levels.
 
History of the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters was organized in 1920 as an outgrowth of the effort to secure voting rights for women.  The League was formed by Carrie Chapman Catt and others in order to assist women in exercising that precious right. 
 
Since its inception, the League has helped millions of women and men become informed participants in government. In fact, the first League convention voted 69 separate items as statements of principle and recommendations for legislation. Among them were protection for women and children, rights of working women, food supply and demand, social hygiene, the legal status of women, and American citizenship.The League's first major national legislative success was the passage of the Sheppard-Towner Act providing federal aid for maternal and child care programs. In the 1930's, League members worked successfully for enactment of the Social Security and Food and Drug Acts. Due at least in part to League efforts, legislation passed in 1938 and 1940 removed hundreds of federal jobs from the spoils system and placed them under Civil Service.
During the postwar period, the League helped lead the effort to establish the United Nations and to ensure U.S. Participation. The League was one of the first organizations in the country officially recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization; it still maintains official observer status today.