League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters is a United States non-partisan political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during a meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. It began as a "mighty political experiment" aimed to help newly enfranchised women exercise their responsibilities as voters.

Related Topics:
United States - Organization - 1920 - Carrie Chapman Catt - National American Woman Suffrage Association

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The league is non-partisan in the sense that it does not endorse or oppose political candidates at any level of government. The league puts out neutral voters guides that state and compare candidates' positions on various issues. The league also staffs precincts on election day helping to administer elections.

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However, the league does take official stances, typically progressive, on various issues. Historically it supported child labor laws, civil rights legislation, the Equal Rights Amendment, and the Motor Voter law. More recently, it has supported campaign finance reform, gun control, and electoral reform, and has taken positions on a growing number of public policy areas.

Related Topics:
Child labor laws - Civil rights - Equal Rights Amendment - Motor Voter law - Campaign finance reform - Gun control - Electoral reform

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The League of Women Voters Education Fund sponsored the 1976, 1980, and 1984 presidental debates. However, this sponsorship changed in 1987 when the Democratic and Republican parties formed the Commission on Presidential Debates which gave the parties greater control over the debate environment. The league continues to sponsor and moderate candidates' meetings and debates for local elections across the country.

Related Topics:
1976 - 1980 - 1984 - Presidental debates - 1987 - Commission on Presidential Debates

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The League of Women Voters has approximately 130,000 members.

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