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, and other resources to help citizens participate in the political process.

Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting and Potluck
The LWVWC Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, May 17, 6:00PM at the First United Presbyterian Church, Upper Witherspoon Hall, 695 E. Calvin St., Fayetteville.

Brenda Blagg, Northwest Arkansas Journalist Extraordinaire will be our keynote speaker. Grant recipient Angela Hinds will also speak to us on her successful project.

We hope that you will be in attendance to review our busy year, vote on our next year’s officers, and review the program topics that have been proposed for 2012­2013. See below the areas of interest that have been proposed and prepare to suggest another area at the annual meeting that you would like to work on, if it is not included.

1. Panel to discuss education’s Common Core (Result of LWVUS Study)
2. Panel to discuss local examples of government privatization
3. Innovative transportation alternatives
4. Social justice issues regarding immigration
5. Problems of bullying, particularly cyber uses
6. Local infrastructure and development issues
7. Suggestions from the membership

Brenda Blagg, Northwest Arkansas Journalist Extraordinaire will be our keynote speaker. Grant recipient Angela Hinds will also speak to us on her successful project.

Please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring a covered dish to share. Plates, silverware, and drinks will be provided. Guests are always welcome as well.

Meet the Candidates for Arkansas Courts
Four important judges will be chosen in a non-partisan election on May 22. The League of Women Voters of Washington County will conduct "Meet the Candidate" forums for three of the positions. These forums will be videotaped and televised over Fayetteville's Government Channel several times before the election.

To watch the tapings in person, come to the Fayetteville City Hall on Friday, April 20.

3:15 pm, Candidates for Circuit Judge, District 4, Division 6: Judge Mark Lindsay and Brenda Austin, moderated by lawyer Suzanne Clark.
4:00 pm, Candidates for Circuit Judge, District 4, Division 4 (the Drug Court): Cristi Beaumont, Bob Lambert & Amy Estes Turner moderated by lawyer Suzanne Clark.
5:00 pm, Arkansas Court of Appeals District 3, Position 2: Kenneth Hixson & Niki Cung, moderated by Law Professor Robert B. Leflar.

The public is invited to attend these forums. If you cannot come to the live forums on April 20, watch these forums on Fayetteville's Government Channel. See the newspaper or AccessFayetteville.org for the schedule. Watch them at Cox 216, AT&T Uverse 99, or at AccessFayetteville.org. Click on "Watch Live Now."

Early voting begins May 7 at the Washington County Court House.

In addition to these judicial positions, several state and local offices have May 22 primary contests. The League urges you also to vote on that day in favor of an important 1/4 cent tax to support public transportation in Northwest Arkansas.

More information on the election, including sample ballots, can be found at the Washington County Election Commission.

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 Local Emergency Preparedness Resources for the January 2012 meeting. Updated 1/2012. NEW!
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 6/2011.
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

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.