The League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area is a nonpartisan organization whose goal is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
The LWV Montclair Area has two separate and distinct roles:
• Voters Service/Citizen Education: We present unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues. We actively engage in ensuring voter’s access to voting, including voter registration and removal of voting obstacles.
• Action/Advocacy: Although nonpartisan, the LWV Montclair Area will take positions to advocate for or against particular policies based on thorough analysis of an issue, particularly those positions for which advocacy is in the public interest.
Our Mission:
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political membership organization which:
● builds citizen participation in the democratic process.
● engages communities in promoting positive solutions to public policy issues through education and advocacy.
● acts after study and member agreement to achieve solutions in the public interest on key community issues at all government levels.
Our Values:
We believe in
• respect for individuals.
• the value of diversity.
• the empowerment of the grassroots, both within the League and in communities.
We will
• act with trust, integrity and professionalism.
• operate in an open and effective manner to meet the needs of those we serve, both members and the public.
• take the initiative in seeking diversity in membership.
• acknowledge our heritage as we seek our path to the future.
The LWV Structure
The League of Women Voters exists at all levels – Local, State, United States
- The LWV Montclair Area is a Local League which works with three other Local Leagues in Essex County, and many other Leagues in the State of New Jersey. The LWV Montclair Area has taken on a leading role for voter registration throughout Essex County.
- All Local Leagues and individual members belong to the League of Women Voters of their state. The LWVNJ focuses on issues related to the entire state, such as redistricting and state voting rights.
League of Women Voters NJ
- All Local Leagues and individual members, along with all State Leagues belong to the League of Women Voters of the US. The LWVUS focuses on federal issues.
League of Women Voters US
100 Years of Voter Education & Advocacy
On February 10, 2020, the New Jersey Senate issued a proclamation to honor the League of Women Voters of New Jersey on the 100th Anniversary of its founding.
Nancy Hedinger, President of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey
holds the proclamation.
LWV Voters Service and Citizen Education
The League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area provides unbiased, nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues. We actively engage in ensuring voter’s access to voting, including voter registration and removal of voting obstacles. To conduct our voter service and citizen education activities, we use funds from the League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area Education Fund, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation, a nonprofit educational organization.
LWV Action and Advocacy
The League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area provides unbiased, nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues. We actively engage in ensuring voter’s access to voting, including voter registration and removal of voting obstacles. To conduct our voter service and citizen education activities, we use funds from the League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area Education Fund, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation, a nonprofit educational organization.
LWV Montclair Area Advocacy in Action
A single Local League member, Doris Schapira, propelled an issue to the national level by spearheading a study on human trafficking. The LWV Montclair Area member led a grassroots effort to analyze the topic via the implementation of a two-year study on this human rights issue. It was first presented to, then approved by, the Montclair Area League, then successfully accepted by LWVNJ, and finally by the LWVUS.
Members of LWV Montclair Area at the NJ Convention that approved a Human Trafficking Study
(from left to right, standing - Susan Marano, Mary E. Murphy,
seated - Doris Schapira, Liz Santeramo, Jennette Williams)