About the League of Women Voters Kalamazoo Area

Goals
The League promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.

Nonpartisan Policy
As a nonpartisan organization, the League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes any political candidate or party. The League does, however, take stands on issues after careful study.

Studies & Issues
Study brings knowledge that makes League positions credible and respected. Members examine facts and alternative points of view before arriving at conclusions on selected issues.

Consensus
Consensus evolves from informed discussion and deliberation during and at the conclusion of a study. Every member's view is important in the LWV. Positions are reached when there is general agreement among members during the exchange of ideas.

Action
The League takes action to promote its program positions established during study and consensus. Action strategies include advocating for legislation and ballot issues, testifying before governing bodies, and expressing opinions in the media.

In recent years the LWV-Kalamazoo Area has participated in studies, sponsored public meetings and taken action on the following important issues, among others. When appropriate for the scope of the issue, this work is accomplished in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of the United States and of Michigan.

• Affirmative Action
• Campaign Finance Reform
  
• Charter Schools
  
• Children at Risk
• Citizen Access to State Government
• Environmental Action
• Medicare Reform
• Poverty Reduction
• Prisons & Mentally Ill Persons
• Regional Development
• Social Security Program
• United Nations Policy

Voter Services and Community Participation
An educational goal of the LWV is to provide accurate nonpartisan information about candidates and ballot issues. The LWV works for increased citizen understanding of the electoral process by:

• Printing Voter Guides covering national, state and local elections and distributed throughout Kalamazoo County
• Posting our voting guide information on our web site
• Providing voter registration information
• Conducting or cosponsoring candidate forums and forums on ballot issues
• Registering new voters

Participation in the Community
Using research and communication skills and knowledge of public affairs gained in the LWV, League representatives have served on civic boards and committees in their communities.
As individuals, many LWV members use their League experience in elected and appointed positions in national, local and state government and civic organizations.

The LWVKA is a member of the following coalitions:

The Kalamazoo Environmental Council exists to promote an environment beneficial to life through protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest, recognizing the interrelationships of air quality, energy, land use, waste management and water resources. http://www.kalamazooenvironmentalcouncil.org/home

The HOMES Coalition was established to secure a permanent funding source for Kalamazoo County’s Local Housing Assistance Fund (LHAF) http://homescoalition.com/