The biennial convention of the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) took place in Columbus OH from June 26 to June 28, 2026.  Delegates from 49 states and the District of Columbia attended the convention, both in person and online.

The agenda for the first day’s plenary session included the delegates’ vote on the National Program.  The Program had been previously studied and recommended by the LWV Board. The process was that a Motion was stated, time was set aside for discussion  (there were pros and cons microphones plus a mic for clarifications),  then a vote was taken. The result was that all current program items with the positions would be kept as written, with the slight change that “Making Democracy Work” would now be “Defending Democracy Under Siege.”

For program and concurrence items that had not been recommended by the LWV Board, a vote would be taken after discussion whether or not to put the issue up for adoption at the next day’s plenary.

The Religious Freedom concurrence was supported by 19 Leagues in Colorado. They wished to affirm separation of church & state.  Delegates voted to discuss this again, the following day, before a final vote for adoption.

This worked the same for Privatization for which two states had well-done studies. A Motion was made, there was much discussion, then the vote from the delegates allowed the issue to be considered the following day.

The next motion was debated based on Maryland’s study on Racial Equity in Education. Here the importance of following the procedure that will bring an issue onto the floor was emphasized.  Because the motion was submitted after the deadline, the presenters had to postpone this issue to the next national convention.

Ohio wanted to add a study on the US Monetary system. It was stated that the League is silent on the monetary system that more work would have to happen in order to present this motion. It failed after discussion.