In criticizing Gov. Evers’ redistricting commission in an October 3 article, “Holder addresses Wisconsin redistricting panel,” Rep. Robin Vos referred to the League of Women Voters as a “liberal organization.”

I’d like to set the record straight.  

The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 as a grassroots, nonpartisan organization, which means the League never endorses a candidate or political party. For nearly 100 years, League members of all political stripes have set aside their partisan leanings to work for a higher purpose: to empower voters and strengthen our democracy. 

The League adopted its position advocating for a fair and transparent way to draw district voting maps in the 1970s.Over the years, we have been variously accused of a partisan bias, depending on which party drew the maps to its advantage. Currently, in states with Democratically drawn gerrymandered maps, such as Massachusetts and Illinois, the League is viewed as conservative though our position is exactly the same. We’ve maintained our position through decades of shifting political winds as we advocate for the public interest and support government transparency and the principles of representative democracy. 

Less partisan-labeling, and more practical problem-solving, will better serve the citizens of Wisconsin.

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This article is written by Debra Cronmiler, the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.