Political Action Activities

POLITICAL ACTION ACTIVITIES

LWV-VA Positions for Action 2019-2021 Biennium

Mission

To influence public policy, the League engages in educational and advocacy activity through dissemination of information to Government officials, the public, and League members on the Election process and major policy issues, hosting informational fora, and advocacy before government bodies.

Citizen Education

The League engages in citizen education through hosting Candidate Debates, Issue Round Table Discussion, Experts Panel Discussion, and Informational Fora. To this end The League plans and organizes public U.S. Senate and House candidate debates, State office candidate debates, and local office candidate debates, for Voting Districts within Prince William and Fauquier County, on its own or in partnership with nonpartisan organizations, e.g., Committee of 100 Leaders, a nonpartisan educational forum wherein citizens may learn, study, and discuss issues.

League members debate duties, in addition to arranging for participants and planning the agenda, generally include such tasks as serving as moderator, timer, gatherers, and sorters. In hosting the debate, the League takes great care to be neutral throughout the proceedings and to make sure nothing that League members say or do may be construed as personal preference or favoritism. Also, members who serve in League roles have no connection with the candidates or panelists or issues that are the focus of the event.

Voter registration and voter education on issues is only two-thirds (2/3) of the League’s job. Voters need reminding, encouragement, and persuasion, with the act of voting, elections, and advocacy for pending legislation or policy decisions. The League draws on its resources to organize “Get-Out-the-Vote” campaigns during elections. During State Legislative Sessions and Local Government body deliberations, the League engages in “Call to Action” activities, such as postcard writing, social media campaigns, Op-ed editorials, fliers, and other advocacy tools.

Action Program

LWV-VA Positions for Action 2019-2021 Biennium

The LWV-VA Action Program is the education and advocacy platform that consists of actions to implement the LWVUS Governing Principles. The League of Women Voters of the Prince William-Fauquier Area Public Policy List of Legislative Priorities Issues for the 2021-2023 Biennium are:
I. Government Policy
• Affordable Housing
• Election Laws and Voting, State of Virginia: Local: Precinct Location/Size
• Gun Licensing and Regulation.
• Reapportionment and Redistricting
• Transportation

II. Natural Resources Policy
• Environmental Protection, Pollution Control
• Land Use (Government Comprehensive Planning)

III. Social Policies
• The Justice System
• Education

IV. Know Your Local Government
• Review of the Prince William County, Cities, and Towns, Government Infrastructure.

Government Observer Corps.
In support of the League of Women Voters of the Prince William-Fauquier Area Public Policy Action Program, the League monitors the activities and attends meetings as appropriate of important Prince William and Fauquier County Government bodies. For the 2021-2023 Biennium, the League will monitor and conduct advocacy as appropriate for the following Government bodies:

Prince William County:
• Prince William County Board of Supervisors
• Prince William County Public School Board
• Prince William Superintendent’s Advisory Council on Equity
• Prince William County Board of Elections
• Prince William County Planning Commission
• Prince William County Police Citizen’s Advisory Board
• Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail Board
• Prince William County Department of Social Services Advisory Board
• Prince William Racial and Social Justice Commission
• Prince3 William Human Rights Commission

Fauquier County:
• Fauquier County Board of Supervisors
• Fauquier County Public School Board
• Fauquier Board of Supervisors/School Board Liaison Committee
• Fauquier Electoral Board
• Fauquier Planning Commission
• Fauquier Social Services Board