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

The Redistricting Game
The Leagues of Women Voters of Washington and Benton Counties invite you to a program on redistricting on Wednesday, September 22, at the Washington Regional Education Center in the Pat Walker Center for Seniors, 12 E. Appleby Rd., Fayetteville. A social gathering at 6:30PM will be followed by the program at 7:00PM.

At 6:30PM, members, prospective members, and the public are invited to share decorated sheet cakes commemorating the ninetieth anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote and the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters. Historical pictures and information about the current activities of the Benton and Washington County Leagues will also be available.

Next, at 7:00PM, the timely topic of redistricting, the constitutionally mandated process of redrawing state legislative and congressional district boundaries every ten years following the U.S. Census, will be explored by a distinguished panel. Janine Parry, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Arkansas Poll at the University of Arkansas, will serve as moderator. The panelists are Steve Clark, former Arkansas Attorney General who served during the 1981 redistricting; Pat O'Brien, Democratic candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State; and Mark Martin, Republican candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State.

Preliminary information on the Arkansas process is here. Information from the U.S. Census Bureau is here. A survey of redistricting processes in the fifty states is here. Suggested principles for redistricting are here. Additional resources are here.

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

Study Materials
Redistricting resources for the Sept. 2010 meeting are here. NEW!
Health care reform resources for Jan. 2010 meeting are here. Updated 8/2010.
LWVAR Transition from Foster Care to Adulthood Study materials are here
for a consensus meeting on Dec. 16, 2009. Updated 6/2010.
LWVAR Providing State Tax Incentives for Land Conservation Study materials are here for consensus meeting.
LWVAR Fayetteville Shale Play Study materials are here. Updated 4/2010.
National Immigration Study materials are here.

League Meetings on Television
Fayetteville residents can view programs on Cox Channel 18, and anyone can view them on CAT's streaming video at those times. Check CAT's schedule here.

Coming Elections
The Washington County Annual School Election will take place on Tuesday September 21. Early voting at the County Clerk's office in the Washington County Courthouse, 280 North College, Fayetteville, begins September 14, 2010. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, including the Monday before the election.

 
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

3/2010 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.