League of Women Voters of Sacramento County

Empowering Voters

League of Women Voters of Sacramento County (LWVSC) is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights to ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.  LWVSC empowers voters and defends inclusive practices. While the League was founded by women, membership is open to anyone and everyone interested in public policy education and advocacy. As a nonpartisan organization, LWVSC neither supports nor opposes candidates or parties. 

LWVSC works with partners across the county to register and educate voters by: 

• Informing the public about eligibility requirements; how to register or check registration status; procedures for voting by mail or in person. 
• Providing nonpartisan information about ballot measures, voting rights, and distributing voter registration forms to post offices and libraries throughout the county.  
• Providing VOTE411, LWV’s online voter guide, which offers nonpartisan election information as it appears on a voter's personal ballot. Candidates are invited to enter descriptive information on their goals, issue statements, endorsements, etc. into VOTE411--at no cost--to help voters make informed decisions. 
• Collaborating with community organizations to plan and moderate public forums on candidates and issues for elections, with recordings forums made available for online distribution.
• Educating voters and advocating for reforming electoral systems to improve representation and voter turnout.  
• Focusing on serving communities with low rates of registration and voting.

LWVSC supports youth outreach efforts and prepares future voters by:

• Pre-registering and registering high school students; helping conduct mock elections at high schools; and holding voter registration and education events at local colleges and universities. 
• Working with high school students earning the California Seal of Civic Engagement; mentoring youth in Girl Scouts and other service organizations; and participating in Sacramento County's History Day competition.
• Offering internships for college students interested in furthering the LWVSC's mission.
• Awarding an annual scholarship—named for former Sacramento Mayor and LWVSC President Anne Rudin--to college students in public policy, public administration, law or related fields of study.

LWVSC defends democracy by educating about, and advocating for, issues significant to the community: 

• Using extensively studied, consensus-based positions to urge development of public policy consistent with LWV positions and established national, state, and local LWV principles. 
• Employing volunteer “Observer Corps” to observe local government meetings to advance ethics and transparency in government decision-making and serve as “watchdogs for the public.”