About the League
The League of Women Voters was founded on February 14, 1920 -- six months before women won the right to vote. Our purpose was to educate women for citizenship and to study the public issues of the day. More than 100 years later, we've widened our reach to welcome all citizens--both men and women--to our membership. We are nonpartisan; we don't support or oppose candidates or political parties. Our aim is to ensure that citizens are informed and prepared to answer questions of local, regional and national concern through candidate debates, issue forums, community dialogues, voter guides, online resources and more.
The League of Women Voters of Buffalo Niagara (LWVBN) is a local branch of:
LWVBN Services
To inquire about these services or to volunteer assistance, please contact the League office: (716) 986-48980 - lwvbn@lwvbn.org. The League suggests a moderate contribution for most services.
- Moderators and timekeepers for debates and
candidate meetings
- Municipal or other local elections
- School board elections
- Facilitators for discussion and focus groups
- Election monitors for elections such as student trustees and public housing representatives
- Election night reporting
- Supervise Buffalo Municipal Housing Elections
- Supervise lotteries at Charter Schools
- Speakers Bureau
- Forums for discussion of controversial public topics
- Distribution of voter registration and absentee ballot applications at various locations
- Welcoming of new citizens at U.S. naturalization ceremonies and assistance in voter registration
LWVB/N Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
The League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization's current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy. Adopted August 13, 2018.
Defining DEI at the League
- Diversity refers to population groups that have been historically underserved in socially, politically, or economically powerful institutions and organizations.
- Equity refers to systems, processes, and approaches based in fairness that ensure everyone is given equal opportunity and treated with dignity and respect.
- Inclusion refers to the degree to which a diverse set of individuals are able to participate fully in collaboration, strategizing, and decision-making within an organization or group.
Looking to hold a candidate forum? LWVBN can help!
Candidate forums are an integral component of the mission of the League of Women Voters – a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works to educate voters on candidates and issues enabling them to make well-informed decisions.
From school boards and organizations to primary and general elections for local, state and national offices, the League of Women Voters is noted for conducting candidate forums that provide fair and equal opportunities for all candidates for office in a positive and civil manner. The League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara is proud to carry on that tradition for organizations willing to sponsor candidate forums in their community in accordance with League rules.
The League will provide the structure, moderator, timekeeper, and question reviewer for a modest donation of $75. A six- to eight-week lead time is required and we cannot set up any event at the request of candidates or political parties.
Contact the League office at lwvbn@lwvbn.org if you are interested in this service. We will be happy to share our rules and procedures.
