Berkeley

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Mission

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The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grass roots organization, that acts on selected governmental issues. It promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation in government. Membership is open to men and women, 18 years old and over.

The League, founded on February 14, 1920, grew out of the woman suffrage movement, which had arisen in the United States in the years before the Civil War. This movement culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Effective August 26, 1920, this amendment granted women the vote.

From the beginning, the League has pursued two major goals:

1. To encourage more active and informed participation of citizens in government, the League provides a variety of voter services. These include voter registration campaigns, voter education materials, such as Pros & Cons of state and local ballot measures. The League also provides speakers to local groups, and sponsors candidates' meetings.
2. To advocate on public policy issues based on League principles and positions. League positions reflect the consensus of members after engaging in thorough study and discussion of selected issues.

The League is strictly nonpartisan. It supports and opposes issues, never candidates nor political parties.

Organized parallel to the levels of government (national, state, region, county and local), the League's work is vital to the well being of our democratic system.

(The statement above was written by Fran Packard and Doris Fine as the first item posted on the initial LWVBAE website in 1996.)

Click here for information on how to join.