The work of the League is based on
Study and Advocacy

The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue only when we have a position addressing it. If the members have not studied and come to consensus on it, the League has no position and therefore cannot take action. Studies (whether national, state, or local) are a defined process lasting one to three years, during which we undertake thorough pursuit of facts and details, both positive and negative, and come to consensus about policy.

Our local positions are posted on our Local Program Focus 2022-2023. LWVNY State Positions are in Impact on Issues in New York State 2020 and LWV national positions are in Impact on Issues 2020-2022

LWVBN Studies

Education Campaign on Urban Sprawl (2006)

Intergovernmental Relationships (2009)

Distribution of the Erie County Sales Tax (2013)

League Studies Nationwide

The League of Women Voters Education Fund Clearinghouse contains studies and research conducted by League members from around the country.

LEAGUE STUDIES AND THE PROGRAM CYCLE

Study Committees are formed from the program-planning process. Studies usually take two years and involve gathering information through reading source documents about the topics being studied and interviewing experts, elected officials, government agency representatives and others who are involved in working on the issues. The studies conclude with written reports, civic education programs, and member discussions. If there is member agreement about the results of the study, a new or revised advocacy position may be adopted.

• Program is the League term for issues that members have chosen for study and action. At local program planning meetings, members propose topics for local, state and national program.
• Study: Once an issue is approved for study by any level of League, a study committee is established.
• Consensus: Once the study has concluded, the study committee fashions consensus questions for discussion by the local membership. If a substantial agreement on these questions is reached by the members, their recommended consensus is forwarded to the appropriate board.
• Position: If approved by the board, the consensus becomes a new Position.
• Action: Once a Position has been adopted, the League can take action on issues and legislation that relate directly to the position.
• Program Planning: And so the story begins -- during December or January of every year, local Leagues are asked to go through a process of reviewing all current positions for the purpose of recommending whether to propose a new study or update or discard older positions.

This "League Studies and the Program Cycle" section was adapted from League of Women Voters 101: League Basics from LWV of Portland, which goes into much more detail on all of these topics