Susan F. Martin, LWVWA Liaison to Redistricting Reform Task Force Portfolio Director

With growing concerns about the well-being of immigrants in the United States, the League of Women Voters of Washington is looking to secure national adoption of a new policy position affirming all residents—regardless of their immigration status or citizenship—should be treated with dignity and respect. 

National adoption of the position would extend the ability of League members throughout the country at all levels—local, state and national—to advocate for legislation and programming to improve the lives of immigrants. Those improvements include providing access to essential state-funded services, the opportunity to avail themselves of legal representation in court and immigration proceedings, and the opportunity to live and work in safety. 

On Saturday, state directors appointed Susan F. Martin to the state board to help facilitate national adoption of the position. Martin, a Georgetown University professor emerita, led the state League’s 18-month study titled “Welcoming Immigrants in Washington State,” which resulted in the state League’s adoption of the position at its convention in June in Vancouver, Washington.  

Study team members, consisting of League members from through the state, used both quantitative and qualitative analysis; completed an extensive literature review; surveyed local Leagues, state legislation and case law related to immigration; and interviewed 25 subject-matter experts.   

The national League adopted a policy on immigration in 2008 that supports admission policies that are in the national interest as well as protection of immigrants’ rights, regardless of their status. 

The provisions of the new Washington state policy pick up where the national position left off, Martin said.  It does so with its attention to laws, policies and programs that concern immigrants once they reside in the United States. 

Martin previously served as the executive director of the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, which advised the president and Congress on U.S. immigration and refugee policy.  She also has authored or edited more than a dozen books and numerous articles and book chapters based on extensive field research as well as her experiences working in government.  

Martin serves as a co-president of the LWV San Juans.  

In her new role on the state board Martin will also serve as the liaison to the state League’s redistricting task force. That task force seeks reform that by 2031 would result in an updated redistricting commission, ongoing staff and technical support, process transparency, clearly defined rank criteria, an inclusive process for public input and language accessibility.  

The LWVWA last secured national concurrence of a position in 2024, when the LWVUS adopted its position on Local News & Democracy.