Welcome!

The League of Women Voters is a multi-issue organization, whose mission is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in the government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. View a presentation on the League's history.

The Washington County League provides non-partisan political information, a guide to elected officials, candidate forums, programs on current issues, a citizens' information guide (Spanish), and other resources to help citizens participate in the political process.

Upcoming Events

Proposed Voter ID Rules

The Arkansas Secretary of States Office has proposed rules/regulations to implement the new Voter ID law. A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 10:00AM, and written comments must be submitted no later than 4:30PM on July 1, 2013.

Immigration Law Program on TV

The April 24 immigration law program, sponsored by the LWVWC and the First United Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville in which Professor Elizabeth Young gave an overview of current immigration law, discussed proposed comprehensive immigration reform, and discussed the DACA (Deferred Access for Childhood Arrivals) policy, is now available for viewing over the Internet on YouTube. You can also find it on Cox Channel 218, on AT&T Uverse 99, and on the Internet at Fayetteville Public Access TV according to this schedule.

Helpful accompanying resources, including the comprehensive immigration reform proposal, are here.

Keystone Pipeline

Resources for learning more about this important issues and the national LWV's stand on it include the LWVUS position, an LWVUS press release, videos and additional information, and an article from The Hill's Congress Blog.

Arkansas Voter ID Legislation

Act 595 An Act to Require That a Voter Provide Proof of Identity When Voting ... was approved by the House and Senate and vetoed by the Governor. The veto was overriden by the House and Senate and became law.

Read the United States League of Women Voters' position on voter ID in its Impact on Issues. The U.S. LWV website also provides news on voter ID legislation and on protecting and engaging voters.

Nov. 6 and 27 Election Results

Official Washington County results for Nov. 6 and unofficial results for Nov. 27 runoff (Washington County Election Commission)

Official Arkansas results (Arkansas Secretary of State)

Unofficial Arkansas and federal results (Arkansas Democrat Gazette)

Results for all states (National Ass'n of Secretaries of State)

Cyberbullying and Education Panel on Internet

View the League's excellent programs on cyberbullying (October 2012) and the Common Core Education Standards (January 2013) on the Internet.

Women in the Arkansas Legislature: 90 Years (1992-2012)

Former legislator Lindsley Smith has produced a fascinating video on the history of women in the Arkansas General Assembly 1922-2012. This work was supported by the University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle and the Diane D. Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society.

Fracking Resources
For more information on fracking and the Fayetteville Shale Play, see the League's recently updated resources.

LWVWC on Facebook
Interact with the League of Women Voters of Washington County on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lwvwc/!!!

Resources for League Programs and Studies
LWVWC Immigration Resources for the April 2013 meeting. Updated May 2013. NEW!
LWVWC Local Emergency Preparedness Resources for the January 2012 meeting. Updated 1/2012.
LWV Privatization Resources for the Spring 2011 meeting and LWVUS study. Updated 12/2011.
LWV Education Resources for the October 2011 meeting and LWVUS study. Updated 12/2011.
LWVWC Transportation Resources for the April 2011 meeting.
LWVAR Fayetteville Shale Play Resources. Updated 5/2011.
Resources on Rising Child Poverty in Northwest Arkansas for the 2010-2011 LWVWC study. Updated 2/2011.
Redistricting Resources for the Sept. 2010 meeting.
Health Care Reform Resources for Jan. 2010 meeting. Updated 6/2012.
LWVAR Transition from Foster Care to Adulthood Study Materials
for a consensus meeting on Dec. 16, 2009. Updated 6/2010.
LWVAR Providing State Tax Incentives for Land Conservation Study Materials for the 2008 state study.
National Immigration Study materials for the 2006-2008 LWVUS study.

League Meetings on Television

Fayetteville residents can view programs on Fayetteville Access TV on Cox Channel 218 or AT&T Uverse 99, and anyone can view them on streaming video at scheduled times. Check the schedule here.

Upcoming Elections

 
Visit the Washington County Election Commission for dates,
voter information, sample ballots, and precinct maps
for upcoming elections, to learn how to register to vote, or
to check your voter registration. Smart phone users
can get or check voter registration information here.

Register to Vote!

News

6/2012 Joyce Hale Awarded Dragon Slayer Award

The Arkansas Citizens First Congress and Arkansas Public Policy Panel honored Joyce Hale, former President of the League of Voters of Washington County, with the Brownie Ledbetter Dragon Slayer Award on June 23 at the 4H Center in Little Rock. She was honored for working tirelessly through the League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, and other groups to champion a range of issues from fair elections to clean water to make Arkansas a better place. "She was one of the first, and most forceful, in the state to raise concerns about the impacts of natural gas fracking on water quality and landowners." Congratulations to Joyce Hale on this richly-deserved honor!

3/2012 Woman's History Award Honorees

Five women who have made significant contributions to Washington County will be honored at the Women's History Month Banquet at the Clarion Inn on March 26 at 6:00. Congratulations to League of Women Voters of Washington County Second Vice President (and former President) Joyce Hale, to League members Senator Sue Madison, Jane Scroggs, and Bobbie Nell Templeton, and to Lib Horn!

 

3/2010 Governor Proclaims League Day

In celebration of the 90th anniversary of the League of Women Voters of the United States on Tuesday, March 2, Governor Mike Beebe spoke about the League beneath the rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol and proclaimed the League of Women Voters Day in Arkansas:

...WHEREAS: In June 1919, the U.S. Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and Arkansas became the twelfth state to pass the amendment on July 18, 1919, during a special session of the Arkansas General Assembly; and
WHEREAS: Ninety years ago, women were finally guaranteed the right to vote, moving our Nation forward on the path toward equal civil and political rights for all...

More pictures at Flickr.

3/2010 President of League of Women Voters of the U.S. at Clinton School

On March 1, Mary Wilson, President of the League of Women Voters of the United States spoke at the Clinton School of Public Service on "2010: A Year of Celebration and Climate Concerns," about the League's 90th anniversary and its efforts to promote public policy responding to the effects of climate change.

 

Video of speech. Photo gallery. News story.

2/2010 League Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan presented LWVWC President Joyce Hale with a proclamation in honor of the 90th anniversary of the League of Woman Voters of the United States on Saturday, February 13:

...I, Lioneld Jordan, Mayor of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas do hereby proclaim Saturday, February 13, 2010 as "LWV MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK DAY" in Fayetteville, Arkansas in honor of the League of Women Voters' 90th Anniversary and urge all residents of Fayetteville to pay tribute and respect to the League of Women Voters for all they do to make our community healthy, vibrant and strong.

The ceremony was hosted by the Chi Omega Sorority at the University of Arkansas, where a Chi Omega member read a speech given by Little Rock suffragette, Florence Cotnam, to the first LWV Convention in Chicago on Feb. 14, 1920. Ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote was completed on August 18, 1920. More photos at Flickr.

11/2009 LWVWC Presents Carson DVD to Public Library

J.P. Peters of the League of Women Voters of Washington County presents Fayetteville Public Library Director Shawna Thorup with the DVD, "A Sense of Wonder," the story of Rachel Carson, whose 1962 book, Silent Spring, helped launch the environmental movement. Filmed at Ms. Carson's cabin in Maine, the documentary focuses on the last year of her life. As she struggles with cancer and with the critical attacks from the chemical industry, the government, and the press, she uses her remaining energy to spread her message to the American people and to Congress. Supplemental materials include discussion of Carson's legacy by leading environmentalists, a visit with former Interior Secretary, Stewart Udall, and interviews with Carson's adopted son, Roger, and with actress/producer, Kaiulani Lee.

4/2009 Genie Donovan and Wanda Stephens in LWVAR Hall of Fame

Genie Donovan and Wanda Stephens were inducted into the League of Women Voters of Arkansas Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 25, at the LWVAR Convention in Fayetteville. Both have served as president of the League of Women Voters of Washington County, and both have made numerous other contributions to the local League and to the community. Donovan currently serves on the LWVWC Board as Voter editor.

3/2009 Women's History Banquet Awards

Five women from the community were honored at the 11th annual Washington County Women's History Month Banquet at the Clarion Inn, Monday, March 23. Honorees include League President and longtime mental-health advocate Elizabeth "Libby" Wheeler and and Bettie Lu Lancaster, League Voter Services Chair and League Board member, whose many other contributions to the community include starting a library for women in the county jail. Also honored were Patsy Brewer, Edith Hawkins, and Gail Segers.

3/2009 Conservation Tax Credit Bill Signed

After LWVAR studied the use of tax incentives for land preservation, hosted a conservation easement forum, and advocated passage of HB1577, a new water protection program became law without a single vote of opposition. Landowners may now receive state tax credits for conservation easements protecting their riparian zones and wetlands. Governer Beebe signs the bill which now becomes Act 351. Bill sponsors, League members, state agency personnel, and conservation organizations were in attendance at the Capitol for the signing ceremony on March 16, 2009.