Learn
ABOUT US
We are the League of Women Voters of Alaska
Our organization brings together the four local LWV Leagues in Alaska: Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, and Tanana Valley. As Alaska is a huge state, we also have ‘Members-at-Large’, League members who aren’t in the four Local League areas, but who are passionate about democracy and voting rights.
The League of Women Voters of Alaska is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. The League encourages citizens to register and vote and to participate in government and politics. The League does this by sponsoring debates and providing nonpartisan information about voting procedures, candidates, and ballot issues. We are a grassroots organization made up of Alaskan volunteers committed to our core values of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.
OUR GOALS
PROVIDE VOTER EDUCATION
We work to ensure that Alaskans understand the importance of voting and how, when, and where to participate.
ENCOURAGE VOTER INVOLVEMENT
We work to encourage every eligible Alaskan to vote. We hope to engage voters and get them to actively participate at the local, state, and federal level.
ENSURE VOTER ACCESS & PROTECTION
We work to ensure that Alaskans don’t face barriers to full participation for all elections and the government doesn’t exclude eligible voters.
PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT
We work to ensure Alaskans have a fair and equitable system that is accountable to all.
ADVOCATE FOR POSITIONS IMPORTANT TO ALASKANS
We advocate for or against public policies in a nonpartisan manner after study by its members and adoption of positions.
Organization
The League is a federated organization with local, state and national organizational structures. Members determine the policies and program of all League levels. Membership is simultaneous on all three levels where applicable. Membership is open to all. We retain our historic name to honor our organization’s origin in the struggle for women’s suffrage and the passage of the 19th Amendment. Today, the League is open to all, men and women alike.
NON-PARTISANSHIP
The League is nonpartisan. It neither supports or opposes candidates or parties. Our national organization describes our advocacy work this way: “The League’s advocacy work is issue based, and we arrive at our positions based on careful study and input from our members in communities across the country. We never derive our positions from politicians, and even when candidates or parties support the same issue, we never endorse them.” State and local League positions use the same study-and-consensus process.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.
FINANCING
The League is a non-profit organization financed by member dues and contributions, and through community and national finance drives which enable public-spirited citizens to help support the work of the League. Dues are collected at the local League level with Per Member Payment (PMP’s) assessments made to National and State Leagues by the local Leagues.