League of Women Voters of Sacramento County

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

29% complete

$3,000 Goal

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The League of Women Voters of Sacramento County is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of men and women working to protect and expand voting rights to ensure everyone is heard and represented in our democracy.  We empower voters and defend inclusive practices at the local level.  As a nonpartisan organization, LWVSC neither supports nor opposes candidates or parties. 

LWVSC works with partners throughout the county to register and educate voters.  Our members inform the public about eligibility requirements for voting and how to register or check registration status, find out about procedures for voting by mail and in person, learn about ballot measures, and understand their voting rights.  We focus on serving areas with low rates of registration and voting.

LWVSC helps voters make informed decisions by introducing them to Vote 411, the national LWV’s nonpartisan online voter guide, where they can find election information as it will appear on their personal ballot.  LWVSC members contact local candidates and urge them to share their goals, issue statements, endorsements, and other data with voters via Vote 411 at no cost.  LWVSC also collaborates with community organizations to hold and/or moderate candidate and issue forums for local elections. We distribute links to recorded forums widely to help inform voters about the candidates on their ballot.

LWVSC prepares voters of the future by pre-registering and registering high school students and helping conduct mock elections.  We hold many voter registration and education events at local colleges and universities.  We also support future leaders by offering an annual scholarship—named for former Sacramento Mayor and LWVSC President Anne Rudin--to an outstanding upper-division or graduate student in public policy, public administration, law or related field of study.

LWVSC defends democracy by educating about, and advocating for, issues significant to the community.  For decades we have used our extensively studied, consensus-based positions to urge development of public policy consistent with these positions and well-established national, state, and local League principles.  Our “Observer Corps” observes city and county government meetings to advance ethics and transparency in government decision-making and serve as “watchdogs for the public.”

Members also educate voters and advocate for reforming electoral systems to improve representation and voter turnout. 

Mission

The League of Women Voters of Sacramento County promotes informed, active participation in civic affairs and government, works to increase understanding of major public-policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Needs

Funding would enable LWVSC to develop resources for improving our public outreach and communications program, including more effective use of online tools and social media.

Equity Statement

LWVSC is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion is central to LWVSC’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more inclusive democracy. Our DEI team works to increase the diversity of LWVSC as it expands its outreach into the community and builds partnerships with groups that collectively represent the many communities of Sacramento County. At present, three Board members are women of color, and one Board member is from the LGBTQ community.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

League of Women Voters of Sacramento County

other names

LWVSC

Year Established

1965

Tax id (EIN)

94-6088110

Mission Category

Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy

Operating Budget

$0-$50,000

Organization Need

Funding: Unrestricted, Technology

Demographics Served

General population

Local Counties Served

Sacramento

Address

PO Box 22778
SACRAMENTO, CA 95822

Service areas

Sacramento County, CA, US

Phone

916-447-8683

Social Media