The United States Of America

The Constitution And Democracy

League Of Women Voters
League of Women Voters of the United States, a nonpartisan organization that promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Its publications and services provide the public with reliable information on voting laws, Elections, and issues.
The league was organized in Chicago in 1920, the year women were enfranchised nationwide by the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was an outgrowth of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. More than 160,000 members (men as well as women) belong to local leagues in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Though nonpartisan, the league does take stands on public issues after conducting studies and reaching a consensus of the membership. Members of the local leagues work on the same national issues, the choice of issues being made at a biennial convention. All local leagues within a state consider the same state issues, and each local league chooses its own program. Leagues at all levels distribute information on political candidates and encourage voter registration.

Local leagues study such issues as charter reform, planning and zoning, pollution, education, recreation, and health. State issues might include constitutional revision, finances, or election reform. Nationally, the league has supported, among other issues, equal opportunity legislation, welfare reform, and ecological safeguard measures.

National headquarters of the league are in Washington, D.C. The group publishes the National Voter and Report from the Hill, both bimonthly. 

Teresa Harmstone
League of Women Voters of the United States