About The League

Our History

Founded in 1920 by the suffragists who led the fight for voting rights for American women, the League of Women Voters has long been rooted in the basic principles of democracy. Both the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area and the Texas League were established in 1919, a year before the national organization.

Of course, a lot has changed over the years, the candidates, the issues, the political climate. What hasn't changed is the central role citizens like you continue to play in our ability to influence public policy and bring about change.

Our Mission

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

We Believe...

• in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States
• that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that government bodies protect the citizen's right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible
• that the right to vote of every citizen should be protected; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and, that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination
• that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government
• that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems which affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems
• that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems, and that the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.