The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan, but, after study, we arrive at positions on issues and advocate for or against particular policies in the public interest. The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.

Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.

Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.

It is the consensus statement — the statement resulting from the consensus questions — that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken. League positions on issues at the State level (LWV-MO) may be found in the Guide to State Action.

Over the past several years, the League has conducted studies on national and state issues. Topics have included Immigration (national), the federal role in education (national) Library Districts (state), Charter Schools (state), and many more.

In order for a local study on a national issue to be considered by other Leagues in a national study, and eventually added to the consensus positions of the LWV-US, local Leagues must persuade other local Leagues to join them in pressing for a study at the National Convention.  At present (2011), the LWV-CBC’s Department of Peace Study Committee is working on moving its study forward to the national level.

Issue-related information sheets produced by our issue committees are now posted in our Documents Library.  This takes the place of  the LWV Committees Pages.  There is also information on issues of interest to the League in the Voter newsletter, and dates of study meetings on our Calendar.