League Positions: Where We Stand

How are League positions developed?

Before advocating on an issue, League members study the issue carefully. After studying an issue from all viewpoints, members discuss the study’s results. Then members must agree on a new “Advocacy Position Statement.” Members re-examine position statements every year to make sure they are up-to-date. The Portland League takes positions on local issues, and can also act based on positions the state and national Leagues have taken.

new 2023 LWVpdx Position on HousinG and Homelessness in Multnomah County

On May 16, 2023, members of the LWV of Portland voted to adopt a new position on Housing and Homelessness by concurring with a position from the League of Women Voters of California. The California League had adopted their position after studying issues that are very similar to those our county faces. To find this position, the Housing Interest Group had explored the positions of other Leagues around the United States. This position was the best fit for us. Adopting a position by concurrence requires using the same wording that is in another League’s position – only changing the name of the League and the location to which it applies. You can read our new Housing and Homelessness position here.

A new 2021 LWVPDX Position on the Portland Police Bureau: Oversight and Accountability

On May 12, 2020, League of Women Voters of Portland members approved a one-year study of discipline, oversight and accountability for the Portland Police Bureau. After almost a year of work, the 22-member study committee published their report in April 2021. The committee based its report on reviews of 55 source documents and interviews with 22 stakeholders. The interviewees included police leadership, city council members, state legislators, and police accountability advocates. You can read the final study report here. Also you can find more information about this study and the source documents here.

Developing the new position from the findings in the study

In April, Portland League members read the study report. They also watched the live presentation and/or the recording of a panel discussion about police accountability. You can view the recorded discussion here. Then, LWV of Portland members gathered in groups to discuss the findings of the study and the panel’s views. Through their discussions, they came to a “member agreement” about the issues covered by the study. The points they agreed upon formed the basis for our new position on oversight and accountability for the Portland Police Bureau. The LWV of Portland Board of Directors voted to adopt this new position on June 24, 2021. We now can use it to advocate for improvements in Portland’s system of police oversight.

Read our new position on Portland Police Bureau: Oversight and Accountability here.

The 2020 LWVPDX position on City government

In the fall of 2019, the League of Women Voters of Portland Education Fund published its report on a 2-year study of Portland’s City Government. (The study report is posted here.) Based on this study and a panel discussion of the results, League members discussed the study and answered  “consensus questions.” Members’ answers led to an updated City Government advocacy position, which was approved by the Board in January 2020.

Read the new City Government position here.

The new City Government position refers to the current LWV City of Portland Planning position and the current Regional Planning and Governance position.

All League positions must conform with the national League Principles

League Principles

LWV Portland positions related to local issues

All the current Portland League positions are in one document here.

Below the Portland League’s positions listed by category.

LWV of Oregon positions

LWVUS national positions

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