About

What is the League?

The League of Women voters is a volunteer organization. Soon after the League’s founding in 1920, the decision was made to take positions on issues but to neither support nor oppose any political party or candidates for elective office. The League continues to tackle important public issues and is a respected, trusted asset in cities and towns across the country. League leaders empower others to define and accomplish goals – for themselves, for the organization, for their communities and for the nation. Through these goals, the League fulfills its mission and grows. Members are encouraged, as individuals, to take part fully in the political process.

Throughout its history, the League has been a dynamic, changing organization, adapting procedures to meet current and future needs. League leaders and members make their communities stronger, healthier, and more vibrant.

The League operates at the local, state, and national level in every state, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

• The League of Women voters of Anchorage is A VOICE FOR CITIZENS – A FORCE FOR CHANGE.
• The League works to encourage citizens to register and vote and to take part in government and politics.
• The League also coordinates studies and educational forums for members and public education.
• The League will lobby legislators and other elected officials on specific legislation/policies.
• The League advocates for change through the education of policymakers and the public.

League Basics

The League of Women Voters is a volunteer organization that does a professional job. The League tackles important public issues and is a respected, trusted asset in cities and towns across the country. League leaders empower others to define and accomplish goals—for themselves, for the organization, for their communities, and for the nation. Through these goals, the organization fulfills its mission and grows.

Throughout its history, the League of Women Voters has been a dynamic, changing organization, adapting procedures to meet current and future needs. League leaders make their communities stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. This handbook (available as a PDF at the bottom of this article) and the additional information available on the League Management Site are essential tools to help League leaders be more effective and to help make the organization more effective.  While there are fundamental similarities among Leagues everywhere, each League has its own special characteristics. The size, distribution and demographics of membership; time and money resources; and community/state issues all affect the structure and operations of a League.

League Basics contains essential policy and organizational information applicable to every local and state League.  The League of Women Voters is organized to parallel the three levels of government: local, state and national. At each level, the League is governed by a volunteer president and board of directors. League Basics contains essential policy and organizational information applicable to every local and state League. The League of Women Voters is organized to parallel the three levels of government: local, state and national. At each level, the League is governed by a volunteer president and board of directors.

Political Yet Nonpartitian

Soon after the League’s founding, the decision was made to take positions on issues but to neither support nor oppose any political party or candidate (appointed or elected) for public office. Today, this policy continues to ensure that the League’s voice is heard above the tumult of party politics.
To ensure the credibility of the League as a nonpartisan organization, each League’s board of directors is responsible for drafting and carrying out its own nonpartisan policy and for seeing that both its members and the public understand the League’s nonpartisan role.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.