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League of American Voters
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| League of American Voters | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Year founded: | 2009 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Budget | |
| 2012: | $1,067,311 |
| Board members | |
| Michael Reagan (Chair) | |
The League of American Voters (LAV) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit located in Washington, D.C. The league is a national membership organization that advocates for limited government, free market economics and a strong national defense.[1] The organization was founded in 2009 and has funded numerous campaigns opposing the Affordable Care Act.[2][3]
Mission
The League of American Voters has the following mission:[1]
| “ |
To educate the American people on core issues. Among these core issues are defending America’s free enterprise system, supporting a strong national defense and security infrastructure, promoting common sense family values and championing the idea that good government is one that is both limited and honest.[4] |
” |
Work
According to its website, the organization aims to advance its mission through the following activities:[1]
- Funding ad campaigns on television and other media
- Producing audits and ratings of the voting records of Congressmen and Senators
- Conducting public seminars
- Supporting academic research projects
The League of American Voters shares the same D.C. address as Grover Norquist’s anti-tax group Americans for Tax Reform.[2]
The league advertises heavily on the conservative news website Newsmax, and the media outlet’s web store solicits donations for LAV. Newsmax has also sent emails to its subscribers on behalf of LAV, particularly messages criticizing President Barack Obama and the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, at least three individuals associated with the League of American Voters are also Newsmax columnists: consultant Dick Morris, an LAV strategist; consultant Michael Shannon, an LAV researcher; and Michael Reagan, former President Ronald Reagan’s son and the chairman of LAV.[3][5][6]
Leadership
As of August 2015, the League of American Voters listed only two staff members on its website: Alexandra Preate, a business and public relations consultant and Barry Farber, a radio talk show host and columnist.[7] As of August 2015, Ronald Reagan’s son, Michael Reagan, was the chairman, and political consultant and commentator Michael Shannon was a researcher.[6][5] Political consultant Dick Morris, founder of Super PAC for America, has served as a strategist for the organization.[2][3]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of LAV’s revenue and expenses for the 2009-2012 tax years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for the League of American Voters, 2009-2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2012[8] | $1,067,311 | $1,463,351 |
| 2011[8] | $1,073,898 | $1,265,248 |
| 2010[9] | $4,860,028 | $5,371,765 |
| 2009[9] | $8,153,357 | $7,018,736 |
Noteworthy events
John Doe investigations
Two John Doe investigations, beginning in 2010 and ending in 2015, were launched by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm (D) into the activities of staff and associates of Gov. Scott Walker (R).[10] The League of American Voters was one of 29 conservative organizations that were targeted during the course of the second of two John Doe investigations in Wisconsin related to Gov. Scott Walker (R).[11][12]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms League of American Voters. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Americans for Tax Reform
- John Doe investigations related to Scott Walker
- 501(c)(4)
- Nonprofit organization
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 League of American Voters, "Mission and Goals," accessed August 5, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 New York Times, "A ‘Super PAC’ Mystery: A $500,000 Donation and a Refund," April 12, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Huffington Post, "League of American Voters - Or the League of Newsmax Columnists?" May 25, 2011
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Newsmax, "Obama’s Cuba Good Will Produces Defectors," August 4, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Newsmax, "Privatize the VA," July 30, 2015
- ↑ League of American Voters, "Staff," accessed August 6, 2015
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 GuideStar, "League of American Voters IRS Form 990 (2012)," accessed August 5, 2015
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 GuideStar, "League of American Voters IRS Form 990 (2010)," accessed August 5, 2015
- ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Milwaukee Division, "Eric O’Keefe, and Wisconsin Club for Growth, Inc.," accessed February 23, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Watchdog, "Wall Street Journal: GAB targeted conservative justices in John Doe defense," September 17, 2015
- ↑ Eric O'Keefe v. Francis Schmitz, et al., "Complaint," accessed September 16, 2015
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