The League of Women Voters of the United States will be holding its biennial convention from June 27-30 in Washington D.C. The LWVWA is hoping a significant number of delegates from Washington's local Leagues will be able to attend—either virtually or in person—to support our Local News positions.    

The LWVWA is very excited to be promoting our Local News positions for concurrence at the National Convention. Our Program Chair, Shelley Kneip has been working hard to encourage Leagues throughout our state, and across the country, to submit our Local News positions for concurrence at National Convention. The Local News Committee has also worked tirelessly to answer questions from Leagues about what it would mean if LWVUS adopted our positions, making them available for use by every League in the country.

All of this work is the culmination of the study and consensus process LWVWA began in January 2021. Last year, local Leagues throughout Washington read our study, The Decline of Local News and Democracy, and then discussed it and came to a member consensus. The LWVWA Board adopted the positions derived from this consensus process. Now, we are ready to take these positions to the national League Convention so they can be used to lobby at local, state and federal levels of government. This process is the foundation of all League advocacy and demonstrates democracy in action within our organization.   

We also act on democratic principles when we send delegates to convention. Delegates are selected according to each League's bylaws, and they are informed about the issues at hand, but not instructed on how to vote. Delegates carry the duty of voting with the interests of League members who don't attend in mind. This is extremely important, because LWVUS bylaws, nominations, budget, and Program affect each League and how the League overall functions and operates.

Delegates must study up on the topics proposed at the National Convention, so they can represent their Leagues—however, ultimately, the votes they cast belong to them. This is what we see in a representative government and this is how League operates as well. 

The LWVWA has formed the National Convention Planning Group so we can maximize our delegation's impact in all of the above areas. We will be reaching out to Washington's local Leagues to provide opportunities for caucusing and to learn about our Local News positions in a friendly and fun manner. All League members will be invited to the caucuses so the delegates can hear from them, and local Leagues may also have caucuses of their own. All of these opportunities are intended to connect with our grassroots, because the League is first and foremost a grassroots organization.  

Look for an email with more information about LWVWA's first caucus in May. We'll also caucus again during LWVWA's Council in Olympia, on May 31-June 2. I hope to see you at LWVWA's caucus and Council!

In League,

Mary Coltrane, LWVWA President