Information for the New League Member

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

What Does the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) Do?

Voter Registration We hold voter registration events in high schools, college campuses, senior residences and New Citizen events. In addition, we provide opportunities for voter registration and voter education at multiple community events throughout Fairfax County and Fairfax City.

Voter Services: In Virginia, there is a federal, state, or local election every year; so, annually the LWVFA:

  • Holds candidate forums and “Meet and Greet” programs.

  • Produces the following resources:

    • What’s on the Ballot: A list of all the candidates, bond issues, and constitutional amendments on the November ballot that we hand out to the public in the fall and available on our website.

    • Vote 411: Questions posed by the League are answered by candidates and published online prior to the November election.

    • Facts for Voters: A booklet listing our national, state, and local officials and important public offices, which is published each January and distributed through libraries and other public spaces. It is also available on our website.

Programs LWVFA has monthly programs from September to June. Information on the program is contained in each month’s Fairfax VOTER. LWVVA meets in neighborhood units throughout the Fairfax area. Each unit generally meets on a designated day or evening during the second week of each month to explore issues affecting our communities and families. Members can choose unit meetings at a time and location convenient to them. New members are encouraged to attend any convenient monthly meeting since it is easier to participate in a group discussion. At least once a year, LWVFA holds a general meeting and an annual business meeting for all members. All meetings are open to the public.

Action and Advocacy The League acts only after study and member agreement on an issue, which is called “taking a position.” To act locally, there must be a League position on the issue at the local, state, or national level. Using these positions, we:

  • Testify before our elected officials

  • Contact public officials regarding pending legislation or public policy decisions

  • Write news releases and editorials

  • Send action alerts to our members requesting that they take action as individuals, based on a League position

Only the co-presidents or their designee is authorized to speak for the League. However, we encourage all members to contact their public officials as individuals, whether or not they agree with a League position.

LWVFA has seats on a variety of Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) boards and commissions; members are appointed to serve on these. Interested members are encouraged to email us at admin@lwv-fairfax.org. LWVFA encourages members to become part of our Observer Corps and attend Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meetings, School Board meetings, etc., and report to the LWVFA Board.

Studies: We study key community issues at all levels of government in an unbiased manner. We have program committees that meet to explore a single topic and standing committees that continually follow issues. We ask our members what they want to learn about and encourage them to participate in the study process. We run public forums on topics of interest to the community. The League produces two types of studies: first, informational studies designed to enlighten members about a topic; and second, studies leading to positions from which the League can advocate or take action.

Fundraising Fundraising supports our Voters Service activities and publications. LWVFA receives donations for running condominium and community elections, and we rely on our members to volunteer for these. In addition, we often receive donations from members and units. Corporate donations are solicited as well. Visit our Donations page for more information.

Who Can Join the League? Anyone, 16 years old or older, may become a member of the League of Women Voters.

How is the League Organized? In the United States, the needs of individual citizens are served by national, state, regional and local levels of governments. These levels of government are separate but interdependent. The League of Women Voters (LWV) is similarly organized. Each level of the LWV, which is governed by its own elected volunteer board, interacts with its corresponding level of government.

Annual League dues are split among the local, state, and national League’s on a percentage basis. Dues funds are used to support activities such as voter registration drives, educational events, voter outreach, and advocacy.

League Positions on Issues The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue only when we have a position addressing that particular issue. Members must study and come to consensus on an issue, in order to form a position. This thorough grassroots process ensures that our advocacy is well considered by a broad range of people, understood by our members, and we have a sense of the political environment.

How Are Positions Developed? There are four major steps:

  • The League selects an issue to be studied.

  • The League studies the issue in a non-partisan, unbiased and objective manner.

  • Members come to agreement about the issue using either consensus or concurrence.

  • Based upon the result of the consensus or concurrence, a position is adopted.

The process for developing positions begins with the selection and adoption of the program. Ideas for new study issues start at the “grassroots” level, reflecting a particular interest of an individual member or a unit. Some evolve from a community concern. Members may express preferences on already existing positions and recommend new study items. This is done at LWVFA’s annual meeting. Both local and national topics are considered in even numbered years, and both regional and state topics are considered in odd numbered years.

When proposing a program item for study that might lead to a position, the following criteria should be considered: Can the issue be resolved by government action? At what level? Does the League already have a position at any level that could address the specific issue? Can the League’s involvement make a difference? Is there enough enthusiasm for the topic? Do we have the resources to work on it?

Once a program item is adopted at the annual meeting, a program committee/team made up of interested members is organized to study the topic selected. This group is responsible for pulling the information together and examining all sides of the issue so that the information presented to members will be balanced and objective.

The program committee/team devises ‘questions for discussion’ outlines. Members then answer the questions from which program, consensus and/or concurrence reports are made.

  • Consensus is agreement among a substantial number, not just a simple majority, of members, reached after study and group discussion. It is the "sense of the meeting." Consensus does not require unanimity. The presence of disagreement may be noted as a minority opinion, but this does not imply taking a vote.

  • Concurrence is the act of agreeing with, or concurring with, a position reached by another League, or LWVFA study committee, task force, or board. Concurrence is achieved by member agreement. The program team/committee, after considering the consensus or concurrence reports, recommends the exact wording, in broad terms, of the position.

The Board then makes any change it thinks appropriate, and this becomes LWVFA’s position. After the local Board has 5 formulated a position, it is announced to the members in the Fairfax Voter and the board can begin taking action on it immediately.

Once a position is established, action encompasses everything that is done, through the political process, in support of League positions. It may include providing information to the public and building public opinion, lobbying, testifying at public hearings, issuing media releases, writing letters to editors and officials, or even marching on “city hall.”

All positions must be re-adopted by members at annual meetings in order to retain official status. Upon approval by the membership, the position becomes part of Here We Stand, LWVFA’s local positions.

These positions determine the League’s advocacy agenda. LWV-VA, and LWVUS program items are handled similarly. LWVFA recommendations are sent to the appropriate level of League to be acted upon by delegates at the respective conventions.

Board Meetings All members are welcome to observe the Board anytime. Meetings are usually held the third Wednesday morning of the month via Zoom or at the Packard Center, 4026-B Hummer Road, Annandale.

Revised July 2025