Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| PART III, LINE 4A,B,C - STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES (LWVUS) PROVIDES AN OUTLET FOR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS TO ADVOCATE AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL ON ISSUES THEY BELIEVE IN, FROM EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT TO GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITICS. AS A POWERFUL NATIONAL NETWORK THAT INCLUDES 800 STATE AND LOCAL CHAPTERS ACROSS 50 STATES, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EMPOWERS PEOPLE EVERY DAY TO TACKLE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO IMPROVE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THIS INCLUDES CHALLENGING OBSTACLES TO FREE, FAIR AND ACCESSIBLE ELECTIONS AND ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC POLICIES THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN 2014, THE LEAGUE: HAD NEARLY 800 LEAGUES WORKING IN ALL 50 STATES AND 75% OF ALL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS; HELD MORE THAN 650 CANDIDATE DEBATES AROUND THE COUNTRY HELPED DEFEAT TWO DOZEN ANTI-VOTER LAWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY; AND HAD OVER 200,000 ONLINE ACTIVISTS. ADVOCACY: IN 1920, THE ACTIVISTS WHO FOUGHT TO SECURE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR WOMEN FOUNDED THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO HELP NEW VOTERS ENGAGE WITH THEIR GOVERNMENT. WE PROUDLY AND PASSIONATELY CONTINUE THIS TRADITION, PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SHAPING THE PUBLIC POLICIES AT THE NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS THAT AFFECT ALL AMERICANS. REMOVING PARTISAN POLITICS FROM CONGRESSIONAL MAPPING : THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE REDISTRICTING PROCESSES AND AN END TO THE PARTISAN PRACTICES THAT SERVE INCUMBENT POLITICIANS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE. REDISTRICTING IS THE PROCESS OF UPDATING ELECTION DISTRICTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN POPULATION REVEALED THROUGH THE U.S. CENSUS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CURRENT SYSTEM IN MANY STATES ALLOWS THE PARTY IN POWER TO REDRAW DISTRICT LINES FOR POLITICAL ENDS. VICTORIES BY STATE LEAGUES IN CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA ESTABLISHING CITIZEN-LED REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS DEMONSTRATE HOW STATES CAN MOVE FROM AN OPAQUE AND PARTISAN PROCESS TOWARD ONE THAT IS TRANSPARENT, INCLUSIVE AND FAIR. THE LEAGUE'S NATIONAL OFFICE PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO STATE LEAGUES AS THEY ADVOCATE FOR NEW REDISTRICTING SYSTEMS. IN 2014, THE NATIONAL OFFICE PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR LEAGUES IN FLORIDA, NEW YORK AND TEXAS THAT WERE ACTIVELY PUSHING REDISTRICTING REFORMS. IT ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR OHIO, ILLINOIS, NORTH CAROLINA, WASHINGTON AND OTHER STATES PREPARING FOR REFORM CAMPAIGNS IN FUTURE YEARS. IN 2014 THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES JOINED AN AMICUS BRIEF WITH OTHER CONCERNED ORGANIZATIONS IN A CRITICAL CASE THAT WENT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT IN 2015 CONCERNING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF ARIZONA'S VOTER-INITIATED REDISTRICTING PROCESS. THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FLORIDA SCORED A HUGE VICTORY FOR VOTERS, WINNING A CASE TO HAVE THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAPS DRAWN IN 2012 THROWN OUT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST CERTAIN VOTERS AND VIOLATED THE STATE'S FAIR DISTRICTS AMENDMENT ACT. THE LEAGUE WAS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF IN THE CASE AND A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE PASSAGE OF THE FAIR DISTRICTS AMENDMENT ACT. PROTECTING VOTERS AND VOTING RIGHTS: IN THE LANDMARK CASE OF SHELBY COUNTY V. HOLDER, THE SUPREME COURT EVISCERATED A KEY ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM IN THE HISTORIC VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WHICH REQUIRED JURISDICTIONS WITH A LONG HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION TO PRE-CLEAR VOTING CHANGES WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE LEAGUE AND ITS ALLIES WORKED THROUGHOUT 2014 IN PRESSING CONGRESS TO REPAIR AND RESTORE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VRA. WITH NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING AND LOCAL GRASSROOTS ACTION IN KEY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, THE LEAGUE BROUGHT A SPECIAL VOICE TO THE DEBATE. UNFORTUNATELY, PARTISANS IN CONGRESS REFUSED TO MOVE THE LEGISLATION SO WE MUST CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR CRUCIAL VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN 2015. THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT, COMMONLY KNOWN AS "MOTOR VOTER," STREAMLINED A CONFUSING ARRAY OF STATE LAWS AND OPENED UP THE VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS FOR CITIZENS AND VOTER REGISTRATION GROUPS. THE LEAGUE HELPED PASS MOTOR VOTER IN 1993 AND HAS SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED THE LAW FROM SEVERAL ATTACKS SINCE. IN ADDITION TO MONITORING COMPLIANCE, THE LEAGUE HAS JOINED WITH ALLIES TO BRING SUIT AGAINST STATES THAT ARE FAILING TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE MOST OFTEN LEFT OUT OF OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS. THE LEAGUE'S GRASSROOTS PRESENCE IN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY PUTS THE LEAGUE ON THE FRONTLINES OF ENSURING NVRA IMPLEMENTATION. VICTORY FOR VOTERS: IN NOVEMBER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE U.S. AND OUR ALLIES WON OUR CASE IN KOBACH V. THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION (EAC) AFTER A UNANIMOUS THREE-JUDGE PANEL RULED THAT THE FEDERAL EAC WAS CORRECT TO DENY REQUESTS FROM KANSAS AND ARIZONA TO CHANGE THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION TO REQUIRE DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP. THIS APPLICATION OF THE NVRA IS A HUGE VICTORY FOR VOTERS AND SETS A PRECEDENT FOR EFFECTIVE EAC ACTION. BENEFITS OF NVRA: > REQUIRES STATES TO PROVIDE VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THEY SEEK GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS GETTING A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR SIGNING UP FOR MEDICAID. >HELPS PREVENT STATES FROM CUTTING BACK VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITIES. >REQUIRES THE OPTION OF MAIL-IN REGISTRATION THAT IS INTEGRAL TO CITIZEN-LED VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES. |
| PART III, LINE 4A,B,C - STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | GETTING MONEY OUT OF OUR ELECTIONS: IT HAS BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE THE SUPREME COURT'S DISASTROUS CITIZENS UNITED DECISION OPENED THE FLOODGATES FOR UNNAMED SPECIAL INTERESTS TO POUR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF DARK MONEY INTO OUR ELECTIONS, EFFECTIVELY DROWNING OUT THE VOICES OF MANY ORDINARY CITIZENS. IN APRIL 2014, THE SUPREME COURT DOUBLED DOWN ON ITS ASSAULT ON VOTERS WITH ITS RULING IN MCCUTCHEON V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION, WHICH SHARPLY RAISED LIMITS ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT INDIVIDUAL DONORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES AND FEDERAL CANDIDATES. IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF THIS DECISION. THE 2014 MIDTERM ELECTION WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE MIDTERM ELECTION IN U.S. HISTORY. OUTSIDE GROUPS SPENT NEARLY $700 MILLION ON THE ELECTION AND A MERE 42 DONORS ACCOUNTED FOR A FULL ONE-THIRD OF ALL OF THE MONEY DONATED TO SUPERPACS. THIS TYPE OF UNFETTERED SPENDING GIVES WEALTHY SPECIAL INTERESTS UNIQUE INFLUENCE OVER OUR LAWMAKERS, WHO ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN THE FAVOR OF ALL OF THESE DONATIONS WITH SPECIAL ACCESS AND FAVORABLE LEGISLATION ONCE THEY ARE IN OFFICE. THE LEAGUE HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. WE SUPPORTED THE DISCLOSE ACT, WHICH WOULD ENSURE THAT VOTERS KNOW THE IDENTITY OF DONORS WHO FINANCE FEDERAL ELECTIONS. MEMBERS OF OUR LOBBY CORPS DELIVERED LETTERS IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATION DURING VISITS TO THE SENATE AND THE LEAGUE JOINED WITH OTHER GROUPS IN URGING SENATORS TO PASS THE LEGISLATION. UNFORTUNATELY, DESPITE THESE EFFORTS AND HAVING 51 CO-SPONSORS, THE BILL NEVER MADE IT TO A VOTE. THE LEAGUE SPOKE OUT STRONGLY AGAINST THE 2014 OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL WHICH ALLOWS BIG-DOLLAR DONORS TO PUMP EVEN MORE MONEY INTO OUR ELECTION SYSTEM. LANGUAGE IN THE BILL-SUPPORTED BY DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS-MASSIVELY INCREASED THE ALLOWABLE SPENDING LIMIT TO POLITICAL PARTIES. THESE HUGE CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE SOLICITED BY FEDERAL OFFICEHOLDERS, POTENTIALLY PROVIDING ACCESS AND INFLUENCE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. DEFENDING THE ENVIRONMENT: CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE GREATEST THREAT FACING OUR GENERATION. LEAGUE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS ISSUE FOR DECADES AND, IN 2014, WE CONTINUED TO PUSH FOR POLICIES AND REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS THE GREATEST THREATS TO OUR ENVIRONMENT. FORTY PERCENT OF CARBON POLLUTION COMES FROM POWER PLANTS, MAKING THEM THE LARGEST SINGLE CONTRIBUTOR OF CARBON POLLUTION AND A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET AND OUR CHILDREN. IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE, ONE IN 10 CHILDREN NEED AN INHALER TO DEAL WITH RESPIRATORY ISSUES AND ASTHMA, WHICH ARE EXACERBATED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, WITH LOW-INCOME AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THE HARDEST HIT. MUCH OF OUR ADVOCACY WORK IN 2014 FOCUSED ON PUSHING FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGULATIONS TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. WHAT WE DID: > COLLECTED MORE THAN 100,000 COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN POWER PLAN AND SUBMITTED THEM TO THE EPA. > SUBMITTED 20,000 COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS ON THE EPA'S PLAN TO REGULATE CARBON EMISSIONS FROM NEW SOURCES, A STRONG COMPLIMENT TO THE CLEAN POWER PLAN'S REGULATIONS ON EXISTING SOURCES. > HEARD DIRECTLY FROM EPA ADMINISTRATOR GINA MCCARTHY WHO BRIEFED MEMBERS ON THE AGENCY'S PLANS FOR ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENFORCING THE CLEAN AIR ACT, URGING THEM TO CONTINUE TO CREATE A DIALOGUE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ON THIS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH: ON SEPTEMBER 21, LEAGUE MEMBERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY JOINED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO CONVERGED ON NEW YORK CITY FOR THE PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH. IT WAS THE LARGEST CLIMATE MARCH IN HISTORY, WITH THOUSANDS OF EVENTS STAGED IN 162 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. THE MARCH COINCIDED WITH THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE SUMMIT IN NEW YORK TO SHOW MASSIVE SUPPORT FOR STRONG ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. THE LEAGUE WAS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS HISTORIC EVENT. AND THE RESULT OF THE MASS MOBILIZATION WAS CLEAR, AS WORLD LEADERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE ANNOUNCED STRONG ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 | THE LEAGUE HAS VOTING MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. VOTING MEMBERS ARE US CITIZENS AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ARE ALL OTHERS WHO JOIN THE LEAGUE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A | THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL CONSIST OF THE OFFICERS, EIGHT DIRECTORS ELECTED BY THE CONVENTION AND NOT MORE THAN EIGHT DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THE CONVENTION IS MADE UP OF VOTING MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE. DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION ARE VOTING MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE. EACH DELEGATE REPRESENTING A LEAGUE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE ONLY IF THAT LEAGUE HAS MET ITS PER MEMBER PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. VOTING MEMBERS: CITIZENS AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE WHO JOIN THE LEAGUE SHALL BE VOTING MEMBERS OF LOCAL LEAGUES, STATE LEAGUES AND OF THE LWVUS; (1) INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE WITHIN AN AREA OF A LOCAL LEAGUE MAY JOIN THAT LEAGUE OR ANY OTHER LOCAL LEAGUE; (2) THOSE WHO RESIDE OUTSIDE THE AREA OF ANY LOCAL LEAGUE MAY JOIN A LOCAL LEAGUE OR SHALL BE STATE MEMBERS-AT-LARGE; (3) THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE SHALL BE LIFE MEMBERS EXCUSED FROM THE PAYMENT OF DUES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B | THE CONVENTION OF DELEGATES SHALL ADOPT A PROGRAM, ELECT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, ADOPT A BIENNIAL BUDGET. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 | THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BEFORE SIGNING. THE 990 IS SENT TO THE BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD REVIEWS THE FORM 990 WITH THE EXECUTIVE STAFF AFTER FILING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE STAFF ENSURE THAT ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES SUBMIT WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS. THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER REVIEWS AND APPROVES ALL CONTRACTS AND PAYMENTS TO ENSURE THAT NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST EXISTS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE BOARD DETERMINES THE GOALS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EACH YEAR. THE PRESIDENT CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BASED ON THESE GOALS, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION. THE PRESIDENT USES THE RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL REVIEW, ALONG WITH INDEPENDENTLY PREPARED COMPARABILITY DATA TO DETERMINE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION, WHICH IS DOCUMENTED ON A PERSONNEL ACTION FORM. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE LEAGUE POSTS COPIES OF ITS FORM 990S ON ITS PUBLIC WEBSITE AND ALSO MAKES THE FORMS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY EMAIL, MAIL, AND FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT ITS OFFICE DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. THE LEAGUE'S FORM 1024, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY FILED DURING THE 1920S, NO LONGER EXISTS. THE LEAGUES ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, AND OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE LEAGUE'S WEBSITE: WWW.LWV.ORG. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G | OTHER FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 610,516. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 529,598. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 551,175. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,691,289. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE AUDIT OVERSIGHT PROCESS HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
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