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League of Women Voters
| League of Women Voters | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Celina Stewart, CEO |
| Founder(s): | Carrie Chapman Catt |
| Year founded: | 1920 |
| Website: | Official website |
The League of Women Voters (LWV), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.. The LWV website describes the group as one that "encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy" and the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) as an organization that "works to register voters, provide voters with election information through voter guides as well as candidate forums and debates."[1]
Background
Carrie Chapman Catt founded the League of Women Voters in 1920 during a convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. It started as a way to get women involved in politics and help them use their newly granted right to vote responsibly. The organization's website says: "From the beginning, the League has been an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy. It was then, and is now, a nonpartisan organization."[2]
Leadership
As of July 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at League of Women Voters:[3]
- Celina Stewart, CEO
- Adam Ambrogi, Chief of External Affairs
- Sarah Courtney, Chief Communications Officer
- Ellen Hobby, Chief Operating Officer
- Marcia Johnson, Chief of Activation and Justice
- Brooke Leonard, Chief of Staff
Work and activities
The League of Women Voters' work includes get out the vote (GOTV) efforts. These are concerted efforts to register voters and increase voter turnout during elections.[4] As a 501(c)(4) organization (also called a social welfare organization), the League of Women Voters can make its GOTV work in support of or opposition to a candidate or cause. The IRS does not consider direct or indirect political influence to be in the domain of promoting social welfare. However, a social welfare organization designated as a 501(c)(4) can engage in some political activity in support of or opposition to candidates for office. These political activities cannot be the organization's primary activities and cannot be direct donations to a candidate for office or a candidate's committee.[5][6]
Voter guides
The League of Women Voters publishes voter guides and online resources, "including polling place hours and locations, ballot information, early or absentee voting rules, voter registration deadlines, ID requirements and more." The group's voter guides also include summaries of arguments for and against certain ballot measures.[7]
Candidate debates and forums
The League of Women Voters also sponsor candidate debates and forums at the state and local level. The website also noted that, from 1960 to 1984, the League sponsored every presidential debate.[8]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the League of Women Voters' revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2024. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $4.0 million | $4.0 million |
| 2012 | $4.7 million | $4.2 million |
| 2013 | $4.8 million | $4.3 million |
| 2014 | $4.4 million | $4.5 million |
| 2015 | $4.4 million | $5.3 million |
| 2016 | $4.6 million | $4.6 million |
| 2017 | $6.1 million | $4.5 million |
| 2018 | $6.1 million | $5.5 million |
| 2019 | $6.8 million | $5.8 million |
| 2020 | $8.1 million | $6.8 million |
| 2021 | $9.2 million | $7.0 million |
| 2022 | $8.5 million | $9.3 million |
| 2023 | $7.1 million | $9.1 million |
| 2024 | $8.1 million | $7.9 million |
See also
External links
- League of Women Voters homepage
- League of Women Voters on Facebook
- League of Women Voters on Twitter
- League of Women Voters on Instagram
- League of Women Voters on TikTok
Footnotes
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "About Us," accessed July 29, 2025
- ↑ LWV.org, "History," accessed May 29, 2015
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "Staff," accessed July 29, 2025
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "Expanding Voter Access," accessed July 29, 2025
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Political and Lobbying Activities," accessed July 10, 2015
- ↑ Nolo, "What are Section 501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organizations?" accessed July 14, 2015
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "Educating Voters," accessed July 29, 2025
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "Educating Voters," accessed July 29, 2025
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