Mission Statement
The League of Women Voters 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 envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.
The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
LWVMN was grateful to be selected by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits as the winner of the 2021 Minnesota Nonprofit Award for Advocacy! This award honored our 2020 Vote from Home initiative, including our voter education campaign and the success of our litigation, which together, truly empowered voters and defended democracy. We share this award with all our local Leagues and members, and are so proud of the work we continue to do together, to achieve a more perfect and inclusive democracy!
Empowering Voters - Kept accessible for Naturalization Ceremonies throughout the pandemic, launched 2nd Youth Civic Engagement Fellowship, built new diverse and inclusive partnerships for voter engagement including with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, Medtronic, Council on American-Islamic Relations - MN.
Defending Democracy - Founding partner with OurMapsMN Campaign to support Redistricting mapping within diverse communities, furthering "People Powered Fair Maps" through statewide education and litigation, continued with litigation to help Restore the Vote to people who’ve served a felony sentence, launched Climate Change Task Force to grow our voice on this critical issue, stood up to lying about our elections by sending a letter to MN legislative leaders and producing a webinar on How We Know our 2020 Elections were Fair and Accurate.
Growing League Strength - Produced successful virtual State Convention, updated and brought Voter Service & Member Handbooks online, launched August Academy to train League leaders , grew monthly Zoom webinars and information sharing, onboarded and oriented new State Board, created League visibility through Extraordinary Women public exhibit, in partnership with MN History Center.
Current Goals
In 2022, we need to do more to extend our democracy!
More voter engagement and candidate information within communities of color, through new partnerships for Vote411 across the state.
More leaders and members trained and activated to be democracy-building role models in their local communities.
More members connected to advocacy in democracy, racial justice and climate change, through a new weekly action team.
More education about why we know our elections are fair and accurate, and how the voting and elections process works, to drown out the misinformation.
More support for voting rights and local election officials, through a re-imagined Observer Corps to help rebuild trust in our elections.
More visibility for candidate forums and voter information through Vote411, with our new mascot, the League Llama, Voting Violet!
Community or Constituency Served
LWVMN serves all genders and state residents, encouraging informed and active participation in government, working to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influencing public policy through education and advocacy. We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.
Geographic Area Served
LWVMN serves the entire state of Minnesota. However, we have grassroots local Leagues and State Units representing about 2,300 members in communities throughout the state.
