Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
League Advocacy
Studies
If members have not studied and come to consensus on an issue, 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 a thorough pursuit of facts and details and come to consensus on a policy. That consensus becomes our position.
Positions
The League of Women Voters advocates or lobbies on issues or causes when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause. Local, state, and national positions result from a process of study, and positions are developed only when members reach consensus, the overall decision-making process by which substantial agreement among members is reached on an issue. Members are not required to agree with all League positions.
Program
Program can be thought of as the League's issues for emphasis, or the issues that we choose for concerted study, education, and action at local, state, and national levels.
The Program Planning process is part of what makes the League a grassroots organization—each League member has the opportunity to influence the selection of issues where the League will focus time, talent, and money.