WHAT A LEAGUE DOES

• We educate ourselves on issues concerning government and pass that information on to others.
• We advocate by taking action on these issues and by encouraging citizens to participate in government.
• We empower voters to make a difference.

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LEAGUE STUDIES

The goal of the League of Women Voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of the United States is a nonpartisan political membership organization, which:

• Acts after study and member agreement to achieve solutions in the public interest on key community issues at all government levels.
• Builds citizen participation in the democratic process.
• Engages communities in promoting positive solutions to public policy issues through education and advocacy.

Are our issues your issues?

Here are some of the issues our members are involved in.

Campaign Finance Reform - reducing special interest influence and creating fairer elections

Education - working for quality public education through adequate statewide funding that provides local program flexibility

The Environment - promoting sustainable land use and growth management practices, encouraging prevention of water and air pollution and advocating for coastal protection

Health Care - increasing access to quality health care for all

Sustainability/Quality of Life - creating communities that secure a high quality of life for all while preserving opportunities for future generations.

Study on Charter Schools and Virtual Schools in Idaho

In 2005 the LWVID Convention voted to take on a new study on charter schools under the existing education position.  The report prepared by the resource committee is available to view below.

1. Charter School Study 2006.pdf
2. Charter School Study 2006 Facts and Issues.pdf

In the fall of 2006 Local Leagues, using the material in the report will discuss and reach consensus, and a new position will be announced.  If you are interested in being part of this decisions making process, contact and join a local League near you, or join as a Member-at-Large.

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POSITION STATEMENTS

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these position statements. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader you can download a free copy of the software by following this link.

• League of Women Voters of Idaho Position Statements

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LEAGUE 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 and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

The League of Women Voters believes that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.

The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.

The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems.

The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems and that development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.

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THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

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

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) is organized parallel to the three levels of government: local, state, and national. The national League, as are all local and state Leagues is governed by a volunteer president and board of directors.

Any citizen over 18, male or female may become a voting member of the league. Associate membership is available for younger people or non-citizens. Joining at any level automatically confers membership at every level, and with that membership comes the opportunity to work on local, state, regional and national program issues.

The League takes action on issues only after study of the issue, which leads to member understanding of the issue and member agreement on the issue. The League's program issues are related to the Principles. The Principles are concepts of government to which the League of Women Voters of the U. S. subscribes.

The appropriate League board, local, state, or national, will take action on an issue only after they have determined that member understanding and agreement exists regarding that issue.

For more information on the National League of Women Voters please visit the Leagues National web site.

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