About the League

League of Women Voters^®
of Orange-Durham-Chatham

Your Local League. Our Mission. Our History. LWVODC Brochure.

Your Local League

This local chapter of the League of Women Voters covers Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties in North Carolina. The LWVODC has ongoing studies and Issues for Emphasis and Local Positions for citizen education advocacy based upon its positions. Issues for Emphasis are timely governmental issues based on local, state, or national positions selected for education, advocacy and action in the coming year. Local Positions are positions on local governmental issues to which the LWVODC has given sustained attention and in which it may continue to act.
Local positions and state, and national positions are arrived at through study and then approval by the membership.

The LWVODC has created an online Citizen's Guide that provides information about elected officials, government offices and services for Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties. Before 2010, the League published a monthly newsletter, the LWVODC VOTER, which highlighted its activities and programs. Currently, the League sends an E-Voter to its membership highlighting its activities and programs.

Our service to voters includes sponsoring candidates forums, information on ballot initiatives, voter registration, and absentee voting.

- Names of the LWVODC Administrative Team
- LWVODC Brochure
- Bylaws

Our Mission and Roles

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate and strictly adhere to the League's Nonpartisan Policy.
The League of Women Voters has two separate and distinct roles.

Voters Service/Citizen Education: we present unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues.

Action/Advocacy: we are nonpartisan, but, after study, we use our positions to advocate for or against particular policies in the public interest.

History of the League of Women Voters and Bibliography of Related Topics

Ninety years ago, Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed a League of Women Voters to "finish the fight" and work to end all discrimination against women. And so the League of Women Voters was founded on Valentine's Day in 1920, six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
Today in 2010, we remain a grassroots organization with more than 150,000 members and supporters and 850 Leagues throughout all 50 states. Though the League is known widely for our voter education efforts, we've also brought our expertise to critical issues such as health care reform, global climate change and many others.
As we enter into a new year, we know that the League will continue to do what it has been trusted to do for more than 90 years:

discuss the important issues;
ask the difficult questions; and
demand accountability from our government.

And every one of our critical 2010 initiatives will give citizens a greater voice -- in the upcoming census, the 2010 elections, the next round of redistricting and more.
The League of Women Voters is the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement, and this year, on our 90th Anniversary, we hope you will stand with us in this work.
History of the League of Women Voters and a bibliography of interesting books about the women's suffrage movement and contributions of League members around the Country..

LWVODC Brochure

Brochure

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: July 22, 2010 14:45 PDT.