Photo copyright Blair Seitz
A nonpartisan grassroots civics organization
 

About the League

Our Mission

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Our History

The League of Women Voters began formally as an organization in February 1920 in Chicago, six months before the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment giving women the right to vote.The new organization was intended to be a means of teaching all the newly enfranchised women about the mechanics of registering and voting, nomination and election procedures, and our form of government. The members also wanted to work for certain "needed legislation." They thought that the League might accomplish its work in five years and disband! Over the years our mission has broadened. The League has evolved from an organization concerned with women's needs and with training women voters to one concerned with the Nation's needs and with training all citizens.

The Justice Bell

Our Principles

The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.The League of Women Voters believes that:

  • Democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens.

  • Every citizen should be protected in his or her right to vote; every person should have access to free public education which provides equal opportunity for all; no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.

  • Efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.

  • Responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people, maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solutions of economic and social problems which affect the general welfare, promote a stable and expanding economy, and adopt domestic policies which facilitate the solution of international problems.

  • Cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems, and the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.
    • Why the League is Unique

    Our Purpose

    The purpose of the League of Women Voters of the United States is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government and to act on selected governmental issues.

    Political Policy

    The League does not support or oppose any political party or any candidate, but does and always has taken stands on issues which its members have studied.

    So What Does All This Mean?

    It means we believe our mission is to LET PEOPLE KNOW. MAKE PEOPLE CARE. HELP PEOPLE ACT. The purpose of the LWV is to create in citizens a sense of responsibility for knowing about governmental problems and doing something about them. Through study and action on issues affected by government and through its services to voters, the League seeks to encourage the informed citizen who actively participates in government. The League works in the public interest. Activities are not limited to members; the League constantly seeks to reach out into the community.

    What Do We Do?

    The activities of the League are as varied as the demands of a complex society, but they tend to fall into the broad areas of:

  • service to voters
  • study of issues that leads to efforts to influence legislation
  • public interest "watchdogging" of our government at work.Our members do research in areas as diverse as international economic policy and local recreation facilities, observe the meeting of public bodies, and prepare and distribute nonpartisan pre-election material on candidates and issues. The League prepares factual publications on complex, controversial subjects and, at times, even goes to court in the public interest. Behind all of this remains the goal of informed, effective citizenry and a responsible government.

    • Who Decides What the League Does?

    The League is organized to respond to the geographical realities of functioning government and to give its members every chance to take an active part in all League decision and activities. It is the grassroots membership that determines policies at all levels of League organization. Grassroots membership means each and every individual member of the LWV has a voice in League policies and action. From local League annual meetings to national convention, it is the members who make the policy decisions of the League - how it is to be run and by whom. Officers and boards of directors carry out these decisions.

    Who Can Join?

    Any US citizen over 18, male or female, may become a voting member of the League. Click here to learn about becoming a member.

    Updated 12/6/07


    LWVPA Board

    Local Leagues

    Where We Stand


    Note: When possible publications are offered in both PDF (must use Adobe Reader® to view) and HTML (use web page to view) formats.
    League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania - 226 Forster Street Harrisburg, PA 17102
    Citizen Information Center: 1-800-692-7281 - Phone (717) 234-1576 - Fax: (717) 234-8341
    League Information: 800-JOIN-LWV - E-mail: info@palwv.org