The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the 19th Amendment gave U.S. women the right to vote.  It began as a political experiment aimed at helping newly-enfranchised women exercise their responsibilities as voters. Originally, only women could join the LWV, but in 1973 the charter was modified to include men. The LWV is a grassroots organization with chapters in all 50 states. The LWV has about 150,000 members.

The LWV is nonpartisan, meaning it does not endorse or oppose political candidates or parties at any level of government.  The League does support or oppose many political issues after studying them and coming to a consensus on a position. The LWV works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy, as well as through political lobbying of Congress.  

Our mission is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in their government.