LWV in Action Archives

Valuing Diversity

You can read the LWV of the US Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy here. It begins, “LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice.” The League works to uphold people’s rights, regardless of their race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or economic status.

When the League was founded 100 years ago, there were many barriers that prevented men and women of various groups from fully participating in democracy. Over the years since, the League of Women Voters has worked to improve and protect the rights of all Americans. We encourage all citizens to vote! We also help people speak out for their rights.

The League has many resources to help members and others understand the views and needs of diverse groups. League members also participate in discussion groups about diversity and equity.

Combatting Injustice

The death of George Floyd has focused attention on the injustice and discrimination African Americans face in our nation.

The LWVPDX, along with Leagues around the country, is speaking out against police brutality and racism. For more than 40 years, the Portland League has worked with other organizations to improve police accountability and oversight. We are committed to ending the inappropriate use of deadly force by police. We are combatting injustice against African Americans in Portland and in the U.S.

Below is part of a May 29 press release from the LWVUS.

As an organization whose mission is to empower voters and defend democracy, we stand in solidarity with all Black communities. The League shall do so not only by speaking out against racism in all forms, but by doing the work required of us to be anti-racist.

You can read all of the press release here.

The League bases our advocacy on balanced studies, testimony, and peaceful demonstrations. In early May, our members voted to study Police Accountability in Portland. This study will build on the work of our Justice Interest Group. Careful research provides the data that strengthens our voice as we work to protect the rights and lives of all Americans.

We Need Fair Redistricting!

Let’s end Gerrymandering.

Below are quick, easy ways you can help make Oregon’s redistricting process fairer, more transparent and impartial. The League of Women Voters of Oregon is one of nine main supporters of a citizen initiative, “People Not Politicians.” We need more than 150,000 signatures to get this on the November 2020 ballot. And we need to submit them by July 2nd!

How to help:

That’s a short timeframe, but here are easy ways you can help—even with social distancing.

Go to the “People Not Politicians”website to read about Initiative 57 and to print and sign a single-signature petition. Then follow the instructions to mail it in.
Email the link to the “People Not Politicians” website to Oregon friends and family; ask them to download, print, sign and mail in the petition too.
If you would like to gather more signatures, you can ask for a 5- to 10-signature sheet by emailing sign@peoplenotpoliticiansoregon.com. We’ll probably need some extra help in June. Stay tuned!

Create an independent redistricting commission

Now is our chance to put a nonpartisan commission in charge of redistricting in Oregon. This would prevent gerrymandering. In other words, it will keep future legislators from creating district maps that favor them and their parties. Getting enough signatures to make Initiative 57 into a 2020 Ballot Measure—and then passing that measure—is important to ensuring a fair and impartial redistricting process and protecting voters’ rights. Thank you for your support and help.

Change Portland’s Government!

We have a new Position!

The Board of Directors of the Portland League has approved a new – and dramatically different – advocacy position on Portland’s City Government.

The position is the result of a thorough two-year study of Portland’s government, which led to the report shown at the left. After publishing this report, the study committee presented a panel discussion. Then, groups of League members discussed the findings and agreed upon key changes needed for Portland’s government.

The League’s new City Government position calls for major improvements in the government’s structure and also in the way voters elect the City Councilors. Here are some of our recommendations, which we will use during the City Charter Review process in 2021:

improve citizen representation by increasing the number of commissioners
institute a city manager
establish the City Council as a legislative or policy-setting body
elect some or all city councilors by district

You can read the entire new League position by clicking here.

During their two-year study, the study committee read more than 30 source documents. They also interviewed 15 government experts and city officials. Then they wrote their report, The City That Works: Preparing Portland for the Future. You can read the this report here. You may view the video of the panel discussion of Portland’s government here.

Thanks to City Council

When our government does something well, we thank them!

Promoting public involvement in government is part of our mission! In July, the League asked the Portland City Council get input from the public when they set priorities for the Portland Police Association Contract. The contract is being renewed in 2020. The Council responded by holding two community forums to learn about the public’s concerns. We are pleased and grateful that they have begun a process to inform and involve the public.

So we sent a follow-up letter thanking them. We also urged them to continue to engage the public. You can read our July letter here and our November letter of appreciation here.

We have also made some suggestions for improvements in the Portland Police Bureau’s new Community Engagement Plan. You can read our post about that here.