Studies
The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue only when we have a position addressing it. If the members have not studied and come to consensus on it, the League has no position and therefore cannot take action. Studies (whether national, state, or local) are a defined process lasting one to three years, during which we undertake thorough pursuit of facts and details, both positive and negative, and come to consensus about policy.
What Studies Are There?
Studies from across the nation are in our Clearinghouse.
LWVUS Clearinghouse for Studies
What is the Study Process?
Study Committee members fashion consensus questions that are then asked of the membership as part of a study kit. Kits often include articles, books, data in the form of charts and graphs, videos, suggested speakers, discussion questions, and other resources.
Consensus is the overall decision-making process by which substantial agreement among members is reached on an issue. If the members reach consensus, the board forms recommended positions based on that consensus. Those recommendations are submitted to the Study Committee.
The Study Committee then reviews all the submissions and works to form a consensus statement that becomes a recommended position.
That recommended position is then reviewed and voted on by our members (usually by delegates at our Convention). The proposal may be approved, amended, or rejected at that time.
If a position is adopted, firm action can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action cannot be taken on that issue.
Read more details in the national guidelines below:
Guidelines for LWVUS Studies