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

What We Do

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Action & Advocacy

We take action on an issue or advocate for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.

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Voter Education

We make voting easier by preparing and distributing useful publications. Publications are made available to the public in our libraries, community centers and many other sites.

Mission & Principles

Our goal is to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide. We believe in respect for individuals, the value of diversity and the empowerment of the grassroots, both within the League and in the broader community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Featured
Chat with General Registrar, Cameron Sasnett
Jun 4
Beth Tudan LWV of Fairfax Conference Room
Beth Tudan LWV of Fairfax Conference Room
Chat with General Registrar, Cameron Sasnett
Beth Tudan LWV of Fairfax Conference Room
Beth Tudan LWV of Fairfax Conference Room

It's your chance to ask all sorts of questions about how our elections are run -- about Voter ID, the electronic equipment, absentee ballots, ipads and more!  Cameron will offer an in-depth presentation on the specifics of how elections are administered. This will benefit our new and veteran members in gaining a significant amount of insight and Q&A; so that you are better prepared as you begin your new journey (or continue your journey) with the League.  Join us for a discusion with our Fairfax County Registrar on Sunday, June 4th from 1 to 3 at the League Office.   

This is your turn to find out how we help make Democracy Work... as we have been doing since 1920! 

Cameron Sasnett serves as General Registrar for Fairfax County, the largest jurisdiction in Virginia with almost 700,000 registered voters and 241 voter precincts. His four-year appointment is effective through October of 2019.

Beth Tudan LWV of Fairfax Conference Room
Beth Tudan LWV of Fairfax Conference Room
The League presents "Diversion First" with Supervisor John Cook
Jun 14
Reston, Reston Evening Beth Tudan Reston Community Center
Reston, Reston Evening Beth Tudan Reston Community Center
The League presents "Diversion First" with Supervisor John Cook
Reston, Reston Evening Beth Tudan Reston Community Center
Reston, Reston Evening Beth Tudan Reston Community Center

Come to learn more about Fairfax County's award-winning program, Diversion First.  Supervisor John Cook of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will present. 

Diversion First offers alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness or developmental disabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system for low level offenses. The goal of Diversion First is to intercede whenever possible to provide people with assessment, treatment or other needed supports. People needing diversion may also have a substance use disorder, which often co-occurs with mental illness.

Diversion First was implemented because...

  • Too many people are in jail due to mental health issues. Jail is not the appropriate place to provide mental health treatment.
  • There is a need to prevent the incarceration of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
  • To intervene at the earliest point possible to de-escalate situations and avoid arrest.
  • It’s the right thing to do to offer treatment to people who need it, instead of jail being the default solution
  • It’s less costly for people to receive treatment instead of spending time in jail
  • Treatment offers hope by helping people recover and take control of their lives.
  • 1 in 5 Americans has a mental illness. Having a mental illness is not a crime.
  • Responding to recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
  • The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to support the national Stepping Up initiative to decriminalize mental illness.

View the one-page handout on Diversion First (PDF)

Diversion First participating agencies, including the police, sheriff and CSB, will providing resources for the event. For more information about Diverision First, go to:  http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/diversionfirst/

Long-time League Member, Therese Martin, notes, "Diversion First supports so many of the LWV’s positions.  One of my earliest memories from the LWVFA was our concern about the number of persons with mental illness who were housed in the jail – the old jail behind the historic county courthouse."

Please join the League of Women Voters of Fairfax in welcoming Supervisor Cook. 

Reston, Reston Evening Beth Tudan Reston Community Center
Reston, Reston Evening Beth Tudan Reston Community Center