What is a Position?
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.
The following positions of the League of Women Voters of Vermont are supplement to the League of Women Voters national positions found at https://www.lwv.org/impact-issues.
Positions on Education
- School Choice (2002, 2017). Under Review
Positions on Environment and Energy
Position on Health Care
POSITION ON PRIVATIZATION
Information about the effort to update the national position here.
Positions on State Government
Position on Transportation
Issues
Carbon Tax
A new study was adopted at our 2017 Convention to evaluate the feasibility of a state tax on carbon emissions from all fossil fuels. The LWVUS recognizes a carbon tax as a useful tool in the fight against climate change, but for us, the question is whether it would be effective at the state level. The Vermont State Legislature has four bills considering carbon tax in the 2018 legislative session.
CivicS Education and Engagement
As noted in past newsletters, League members have learned how knowledge of civics and government is lacking among out youth and others. In keeping with the League’s basic mission, the 2017 Convention voted to take action to see what the League can do to enhance knowledge of how government works and increase civic engagement
Teacher Professional Development in Civics Education
Ranked Choice Voting
Our 2017 Convention also adopted a related action item, to advocate for and educate about Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), also known as Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The LWV-Vermont adopted a position in support of Ranked Choice Voting for all statewide elections in 1999. In the 2016 presidential election both major party candidates were considered unfavorable by many voters, but casting one’s vote for a candidate who was not nominated by one of the two major parties was perceived as a “wasted vote” and low voter turnout resulted. Ranked Choice Voting is particularly useful when there are three major parties, as we have in Vermont.
Our sister League in Maine was part of the effort which successfully passed a People’s Referendum for Ranked Choice Voting for statewide offices in Maine in 2016. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting on the LWV of Maine site.
How Does The League Select Issues for Emphasis?
In League, Program means the issues that we choose for concerted study, education and action at local, state and national levels. Program can include both education and action.
The Program Planning process is part of what makes the League a grassroots organization; each League member has the opportunity to influence the selection of issues where the local, state, and national League will focus time, talent and money.
Every two years, members of local Leagues engage in Program Planning. Based on the results of this, the Board of Directors makes recommendations to the biennial convention delegates about the program to be adopted for the coming two year period.
