Skip survey header

Effective action on national legislative and litigation issues depends on a partnership at all League levels. The Advocacy Department leads the organization’s federal lobbying work and provides information to state and local Leagues about advocacy priorities and litigation efforts.

All action at the federal level must be authorized by the LWVUS office. This includes any effort aimed at influencing a decision on a federal issue, such as communicating with an elected or appointed official, joining a coalition, taking part in a press conference or rally, writing a letter-to-the-editor, or signing with a legal partner using the LWV brand. Especially, where action includes litigation efforts on key priority issues under the Campaign for Making Democracy Work. 

A state or local League wishing to take action or participate in litigation should consult with LWVUS about the intended action. Depending on the action, the state/local League is asked to provide the following information in writing:

Federal lobbying (including contacting elected and administration officials)

  1.  The proposed action and the message to be conveyed;
  2.  The LWVUS position on which the action is based;
  3.  The timeline for sending the message or signing the letter; and
  4.  Details about other groups that are involved in this effort;
  5.  Evidence that the issue is a priority for that state or local League.  If a local League is requesting permission to contact its U.S. Senator(s) on an issue that has not been the subject of an LWVUS Action Alert, it should provide evidence that the action has been authorized by its state League. 

Litigation (including efforts in federal and state court)

  1.  The proposed litigation and basis for action (voting rights, healthcare, etc.);
  2.  Details about other groups that are involved in this effort;
  3.  Name of legal partner(s);
  4.  Court that lawsuit would be filed; and
  5.  Deadline for confirming participation.

 
LWVUS staff will review the requests to determine that it is consistent with League positions and that it will neither interfere with LWV actions on a priority issues nor compromise the national litigation portfolio.

Please note LWVUS makes every effort to turn these requests around within 48 hours. If your request requires a faster turnaround time, please call the Advocacy department at (202) 263-1328 to be directed to the proper staffer.
 
0%