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

Local Program Planning
On March 17th the League's annual Local Program Planning meeting will be held at Barbara Taylor's house, 1599 W. Halsell Road, Fayetteville, 6:30-8:30PM. The purpose of the meeting is for the membership to develop topic areas for future programs of study. These programs are the basis for future advocacy and are an essential part of the League's work. The issues can be drawn from current events such as political, environmental, or social issues. Be sure to read the Program for Action before the meeting. For additional information, see the March Voter.

Women in History Banquet
The Women In History banquet, is March 29th, 6:00PM at the Clarion. Tickets are $20.00 and need to be purchased by Monday, March 22. They are available by calling Mary Bess Mulhollan at 442-7333 or e-mailing marybess@cox.net, or from the person who is representing your women's group. The women being honored this year are Bonnie Cook, Denise Garner, Donna Stjerna, Dolores Stamps, and Doris Cassidy. All have been outstanding contributing women in Washington County for many years.

Transportation Alternatives
A program on transportation alternatives will be held on April 21 6:30-8:30PM at the Washington Regional Education Center at Pat Walker Center for Seniors, 12 E. Appleby Rd., Fayetteville. Panelists include Gary DalPorto, Planning and Program Team Leader for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Arkansas Division; Andrew Brewer, a transportation planning engineer for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department; Jeff Hawkins, Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission; and Keith Jones, Vice President/Regional Transit Manager from URS Corporation and a former executive Director and General Manager of the Central Arkansas Transit Authority.

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

League Meetings on Television
The League's February program, Foster Care in Washington County (called Foster Care in Arkansas on CAT), can be viewed on Community Access Television (CAT) and on the Internet at the following times: March 17 at 1:30AM, March 18 at 9:00PM, March 19 at 12:30AM, and March 20 at 9:30PM. Fayetteville residents can view the programs on Cox Channel 18, and anyone can view them on CAT's streaming video at those times. You can always check CAT's schedule here.
NOTE: If you are viewing the streaming video, you can go to a full-screen view by right clicking and selecting Zoom. Return to original display by right clicking and selecting Exit Full Screen.

Coming Elections

 
For dates, voter information, and precinct maps
for upcoming elections, click here.

Register to Vote!

News

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.