Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Studies

 The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue only when we have a position addressing it. 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, both positive and negative, and come to consensus on a policy. The process of study is part of what makes the League a truly grassroots organization, as it requires input and consensus from the membership.

What is the study process?

  1. A Study Committee is formed to lead careful research on an issue and develop 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.

  2. The Committee fashions consensus questions that are asked of the membership in order to survey their views on an issue.

  3. The Study Committee reviews all survey submissions and works to form a consensus statement (i.e., the members agreed that xyz, therefore…) that becomes a recommended position.

  4. That recommended position is then reviewed and voted on by members, usually at the Annual Meeting. The proposal may be approved, amended, or be rejected at that time.

  5. If a position is adopted, firm action can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action cannot be taken on that issue.

What is LWV Chicago studying?

LWV Chicago is currently conducting a study on the pros and cons of Chicago legalizing the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and possession of marijuana for recreational use by adults. 

Where can I find past studies?

Studies from LWV Chicago, LWVIL and Leagues across the nation are in our League of Women Voters Education Fund Clearinghouse for studies.  Not all of these studies have become positions, but provided here is the material used by the individual Leagues in their study process.