About the League

Mission
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

History
The League of Women Voters of the United States was formed in 1920 with three objectives: to educate league members, to work for needed legislation, and to promote citizen participation in government. The Manhattan / Riley County League of Women Voters was organized March 28, 1942. There were 20 charter members. The local league adheres to the same objectives the national league was founded upon, passing them along to succeeding generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may join the League of Women Voters?
Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policy of the league is eligible for membership. U.S. citizens over age 18 may join as voting members. Non-citizens and those under age 18 may join as non-voting members.

Is the league affiliated with a political party? Does the league endorse candidates for office?
The League of Women Voters is strictly nonpartisan. The league does not support or oppose any political party, any candidate for elective office (whether or not under a party designation), any office holder or any group that supports candidates.

How does the league develop its public policy positions?
The league appoints a committee to research, study and discuss all sides of an issue. The committee reports the information it has gathered to the membership at a meeting organized specifically for this purpose. Following this meeting the committee writes a draft statement based on discussion from that meeting and presents it to the league's board of directors. Once the league board has approved the draft, it is presented to the membership for a vote. If enough members vote in favor of consensus to prevail, and the league board approves the consensus as the sense of the meeting, the draft statement becomes part of the league's public policy position.

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 the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.

The above principles are from LWVUS and LWVKS. Manhattan has added another:

The League of Women Voters believes in: respect for individuals, the value of diversity, the empowerment of the grassroots, and the power of collective decision making for the common good.