"League of Women Voters Undertakes Two-Year, National Study on Election Systems" 

June 2000

At its biennial convention in Washington DC on June 16-20, 2000, the League of Women Voters of the United States voted to undertake a two-year study of election systems (meaning how votes are translated into seats) The League had not conducted a national study of any kind in nearly a decade. More than 900 local Leagues will take part. 

In order for the League to take action (such as supporting or opposing legislation), it must have an official position on a topic. Before it can adopt a position, it must undertake a formal study. A study considers all sides of an issue and involves all League members at the local level. After educating themselves on the topic, the members come to consensus on a formal position that is then voted on at the next convention. 

The election system study was adopted subject to the availability of outside funding, with a $10,000 seed grant ($5,000 from the Center for Voting and Democracy and $5,000 from an anonymous donor) to finance the search for more funding. If the funding materializes, educational materials will be developed and sent to each local League, both on election systems and on various criteria for evaluating them. It is expected that consensus will be attempted first on the criteria for evaluating election systems and then on the election systems themselves. 

Several state Leagues already are studying voting systems. Studies were adopted last year in California, Georgia, Illinois and Washington.  

For more information on the League, see: www.lwv.org