Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back!

Have you made your new year’s resolution? You can help make LWVSKC’s new year’s resolution successful. Keep reading to find out more — and be resolute! Join us to speak up and speak out!

LWVSKC’s New Year’s Resolution

LWVSKC will speak up and speak out to empower voters and defend democracy - even stronger than before. You and LWVSKC together, believe that our world can be better coupled with a commitment to engage in collective action. Refueled and rejuvenated LWVSKC will be out in the King County community stronger than before to further civic and community issues education, promote stronger advocacy based on our positions, and focus on partnerships to further our impact, especially in underserved communities.

This important work kicks off in January with:

LWVWA Program of Work planning,
Consensus work on Elder Caregiving in Washington, Welcoming Immigrants to Washington, and the Federal Judiciary study, and
Participation in the State Legislative session.

Member involvement is essential — we must speak up and speak out to establish strong positions that we can then advocate on and take action on the positions we have already established.

Throughout the winter and into spring we will:

Focus on civics and issues education opportunities throughout King County,
Reach out to membership to identify and recruit new/future LWVSKC leaders, and
Further promote the One Person One Vote national campaign as well as other LWV national initiatives.

Your participation is needed — we must speak up and speak out to strengthen our organization and our democracy.

Late summer/fall:

Voter Services work will take precedent to include - voter registration, Get Out The Vote, candidate forums, civics education and more!
And we will advocate based on our positions.

Your volunteer and financial support here is critical - we must speak up and speak out to empower all King County voters.

As you are aware, the League does not endorse candidates or parties, but we have always engaged in political advocacy. As a nonpartisan organization, the League has every right to call out statements, actions, and policies that are counter to our values and principles. We are steadfast in our mission to empower voters and defend democracy.

The League is an expert in nonpartisanship with over a century of experience in pro-democracy work. Navigating through a hyper-partisan political environment in a nonpartisan manner can be confusing to some. Despite what political parties may have you believe, issues are not inherently partisan. Of course, political parties take partisan positions on issues. But that does not alter the League’s nonpartisan approach.

Advocating for gender and racial equity is not partisan. Calling out attacks on democracy is not partisan. After all, our mission is to “defend democracy.” We cannot live up to our mission if we are unwilling to speak up and speak out.

Support for women's equality is nonpartisan. Our belief in the rights of women is not derived from a specific candidate or party. Nobody — Democrat, Republican, or other — has an exclusive claim on equality.

The League has stood for the political rights and representation of women for over a century, and in that time, political support and public opinion around issues like suffrage, abortion, workplace discrimination, maternal rights, and more have evolved and shifted. Yet, we have always stood firm in our values. Our concern for and commitment to women’s empowerment is grounded in our core values.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to defend democracy in ways that fuel the fight for human rights, especially women’s rights. The power of our collective action has no bounds. So, won’t you join us and commit to LWVSKC’s New Year’s resolution?

You are welcome and needed! Join us in this work to speak up and speak out — even stronger than before — to empower voters and defend democracy!

The Seattle Times letter to the editor
by Mary Coltrane, President of League of Women Voters of Washington

In the United States, women and girls are not legally guaranteed equal rights. We have seen the devastating consequences of this reality in our fights against unequal pay, workplace harassment, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, health care inequities, discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals, and more.

The Equal Rights Amendment is the only duly ratified constitutional amendment that has not been added to the Constitution; now is the time. The ERA became the 28th Amendment over four years ago; it will update the Constitution to provide nationwide protection against discriminatory federal and state laws.

The ERA is necessary to uphold and restore the rights of more than half our population. President Joe Biden has acknowledged its ratification but passed the buck to a polarized Congress. This political punting has precluded the ERA’s publication and has cost people their health and lives. President Biden has the power to instruct the U.S. Archivist to certify and publish the amendment, making equal rights the law of the land.

With just days left in office, the League of Women Voters of Washington calls upon President Biden to pick up the phone and instruct the Archivist to finalize the ERA now.

Mr. President, your legacy is calling.

Join Us & Be the Change

Join the League today to be a part of our community of passionate activists building grassroots power and making change across the state – and country!

Donate to our work. Your donation keeps us working on critical policies to solve our counties biggest challenges – fighting for equity for every King County resident. Ensuring that everyone can use their voice and power to build an inclusive future for us all.

Join the League Donate Today!

Our DEI Policy

Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be accepted within the League, including but not limited to race, socio-economic status, age, ability status, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or marital status. The League is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people. The League is an organization that respects and values the richness of our community and our members. The collective sum of our individual differences and life experiences represents not only our culture, but our reputation and the organization's mission and achievements as well.

Be A Voter!

Join Us -- 450 Strong and Growing!

Get Active!

Follow Us

Support Us

Contact Us

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Our DEI Policy