Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PART III, LINE 4A,B,C,D - STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, A NONPARTISAN POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, ENCOURAGES INFORMED AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT, WORKS TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF MAJOR PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES, AND INFLUENCES PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. 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 700+ 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. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY: WHENEVER CONGRESS DEBATES A CAMPAIGN FINANCE BILL, CONGRESS OR THE STATES PROPOSE CUT BACKS IN VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER PROTECTION LAWS, OR LEGISLATURES REDRAW LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS THERE, DEFENDING VOTERS' RIGHTS AND FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS REFLECT THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, NOT SPECIAL INTERESTS, WEALTHY CAMPAIGN DONORS OR SELF-INTERESTED POLITICIANS. THE TWO YEARS LEADING UP TO THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTION SEASON KEPT THE LEAGUE ESPECIALLY BUSY ON ALL FRONTS. WE ORGANIZED A MASSIVE NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO BRING PRESSURE ON CONGRESS TO REPAIR THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AFTER THE LANDMARK LAW WAS GUTTED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S SHELBY COUNTY V. HOLDER DECISION IN 2013. THE SHELBY DECISION ESSENTIALLY GAVE A GREEN LIGHT TO STATES COVERED BY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO IMPOSE DRACONIAN LAWS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TO REGISTER AND VOTE, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, OLDER VOTERS AND YOUNGER VOTERS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED INCOME. SHELBY WAS THE GREATEST SETBACK TO VOTERS' RIGHTS IN GENERATIONS, AND THE LEAGUE WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE FULL POWER OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IS RESTORED. THE LEAGUE CONTINUES TO LEAD THE FIGHTS IN CONGRESS TO EXPAND VOTER PARTICIPATION THROUGH SUCH REFORMS AS ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION FOR ALL AND AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, AND TO BLOCK ROLL BACKS IN THE VERY SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT. THE LEAGUE ALSO SEEKS TO MAKE THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION A MORE EFFECTIVE BODY, STRENGTHEN EXISTING LAW THAT BARS OSTENSIBLY INDEPENDENT SUPER PACS FROM COORDINATING WITH CANDIDATES AND INCREASE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS ON OUTSIDE POLITICAL SPENDING. AT THE STATE LEVEL, THE LEAGUE WAS ON BOTH OFFENSE AND DEFENSE, LEADING FIGHTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT IN SOME STATES AND AGAINST NEW VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS IN OTHER STATES. WE STOPPED PASSAGE OF ONEROUS NEW VOTER ID LAWS IN SEVEN STATES, PROTECTED EARLY VOTING AND SAME-DAY REGISTRATION IN FIVE STATES AND EXPANDED ACCESS TO THE BALLOT THROUGH ONLINE REGISTRATION AND SAME-DAY REGISTRATION IN OVER TWELVE STATES. STATE LEAGUES ALSO CONTINUED THEIR ON-GOING BATTLES AGAINST RACIAL AND PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING. CITIZEN ACTIVISTS - A STRENGTH OF THE LEAGUE: THE STRENGTH OF THE LEAGUE IS ROOTED IN THE COMMITMENT OF THOUSANDS OF GRASSROOTS MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS. IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, THOUSANDS OF LEAGUE SUPPORTERS TOOK ACTION ON OUR MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES: >CONTACTING THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPPORT OF THE STOP SUPER PAC-CANDIDATE COORDINATION ACT, WHICH WOULD STRENGTHEN EXISTING LAW REQUIRING SUPER PACS TO BE INDEPENDENT OF CANDIDATES. >PRESSURING THEIR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO REPAIR AND MODERNIZE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AFTER A KEY SECTION OF THAT LANDMARK LAW WAS GUTTED BY A 2013 U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION. >WRITING THEIR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPPORT OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION ADMINISTRATION ACT, WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH A NEW AND MORE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO ENFORCE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS. >SIGNING A PETITION TO PRESIDENT OBAMA URGING HIM TO ENSURE THAT FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OFFER VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT. >SIGNING A LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLING ON HIM TO END OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DRILLING OFF THE ARCTIC AND ATLANTIC COASTS. >IMPROVING AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION. BETWEEN 2015 AND 2016, ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION LAWS WERE PASSED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THOSE EFFORTS IN FLORIDA, IOWA, NEBRASKA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND RHODE ISLAND. >TESTIFYING BEFORE THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) IN SUPPORT OF ITS CLEAN POWER PLAN TO SET FIRST-EVER CARBON POLLUTION LIMITS ON EXISTING POWER PLANTS. >SUBMITTING OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE EPA REGARDING THEIR PLAN TO PROTECT OUR PLANET ON PUBLIC HEALTH BY LIMITING CARBON POLLUTION FROM POWER PLANTS. >JOINING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN NEW YORK CITY FOR THE PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH, THE LARGEST CLIMATE MARCH IN HISTORY. 162 SIMILAR EVENTS WERE PLANNED IN COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD, INCLUDING THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE SUMMIT. |
| PART III, LINE 4A,B,C,D - STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | ADVOCATING IN COURT: WHENEVER THEIR RIGHTS ARE THREATENED BY DISCRIMINATORY LAWS OR GOVERNMENT ACTION, VOTERS KNOW THEY CAN TURN TO THE LEAGUE AS THEIR ADVOCATE IN COURT. THESE ARE A FEW OF THE LEGAL BATTLES WE FOUGHT FROM 2015 INTO 2016: >IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THE LEAGUE SUED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION AFTER HE UNLAWFULLY APPROVED A REQUEST FROM SEVERAL STATES TO REQUIRE DOCUMENTARY PROOF-OF-CITIZENSHIP WHEN VOTERS REGISTER UNDER THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT. >IN KANSAS, THE LEAGUE JOINED THE ACLU AND OTHER PLAINTIFFS IN A LAWSUIT SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGING THAT STATE'S REFUSAL TO REGISTER VOTERS WHO APPLIED AT THE DMV WITHOUT DOCUMENTARY PROOF-OF-CITIZENSHIP. THEY FOLLOWED UP WITH A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THAT STATE'S ATTEMPT TO CUT VOTERS FROM THE ROLLS BY GIVING THEM ONLY A SHORT WINDOW TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTATION IF THEY FAILED TO DO SO WHEN FIRST COMPLETING THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION FORM AT EITHER THE DMV OR THROUGH THE MAIL. >IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE LEAGUE SUCCESSFULLY TOOK ON ONE OF THE MOST DRACONIAN VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH A FEDERAL COURT WOULD EVENTUALLY CONCLUDE TARGETED VOTERS IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR "WITH ALMOST SURGICAL PRECISION." >IN OHIO, THE LEAGUE CHALLENGED A 2014 LAW THAT ELIMINATED THE POPULAR "GOLDEN WEEK" WHEN VOTER REGISTRATION AND EARLY VOTING OVERLAPPED, AND ALSO FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN A DIFFERENT SUIT THAT SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED THE STATE'S PURGING OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VOTERS FROM VOTER ROLLS. >IN TENNESSEE, THE LEAGUE FOLLOWED UP ON THE DECISION IN THE OHIO PURGING CASE AND URGES THE STATE TO ALTER ITS NOW-ILLEGAL PURGING SYSTEM. >IN WISCONSIN, THE LEAGUE CONTINUED ITS YEARS-LONG BATTLE AGAINST THE STATE'S BURDENSOME NEW VOTER ID LAW THAT BLOCKED THOUSANDS OF VOTERS FROM CASTING BALLOTS. >IN FLORIDA, THE LEAGUE RUSHED TO COURT AND FORCED AN EXTENSION OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE TO ACCOMMODATE VOTERS IMPACTED BY THE PRE-ELECTION HURRICANE. THE LEAGUE ALSO JOINED THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO BLOCK THE PURGING SYSTEM IN FLORIDA THAT CAME TOO CLOSE TO AN ELECTION. THE LEGAL PROCESS IS OFTEN LONG AND DIFFICULT, BUT THE LEAGUE WILL STAND IN COURT TO DEFEND VOTERS' RIGHTS THROUGH EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 | IN JUNE 2016, THE LEAGUE CHANGED ITS BYLAWS TO REMOVE THE CITIZEN REQUIREMENT TO BECOME A MEMBER, AND TO REDUCE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY FROM AGE 18 TO 16. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 | THE LEAGUE HAS VOTING MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. VOTING MEMBERS ARE WOMEN AND MEN AT LEAST 16 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: WOMEN AND MEN AT LEAST 16 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 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE 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 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER EACH YEAR. THE PRESIDENT CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 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 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'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 LEAGUE'S 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 204,417. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 585,001. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 296,083. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,085,501. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE AUDIT OVERSIGHT PROCESS HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |