The League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWVMN) is the Minnesota affiliate of the national League of Women Voters. While the group does not directly support or oppose candidates, the LWVMN has taken left-of-center policy positions. 1
LWVMN uses a racial justice lens when lobbying the legislature. LWVMN continues to advocate for applying the Equal Rights Amendment to the state constitution, supports legislation allowing for physician-assisted suicide, fights for left-of-center environmental policies, supports citizenship for illegal immigrants, supports permitting illegal immigrants to attain driver’s licenses, and opposes firearm sales, ownership, and “stand your ground” self-defense laws. 2 3
LWVMN supports same-day voter registration and voting, a permanent absentee ballot list to whom boards of elections would automatically mail absentee ballots, opposes voter ID laws, and promotes the Minnesota law that mandates anyone who contacts a government agency is automatically registered to vote. LMVMN opposes recall efforts for state election officials, supports restoring the right to vote to those on parole or probation, and supports ranked-choice voting. 4
History
The Minnesota chapter of the League of Women Voters was founded in 1919 when the Minnesota Suffrage Association dissolved and was reconstituted as the LWVMN. 5 LWVMN was active in what it calls “the second wave of feminism,” the campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment, and supporting legalized abortion. 6 LWVMN states that today’s feminists should recognize unconscious biases by “checking” privilege or examining how privilege impacts people’s choices. 7
Positions
The League of Women Voters Minnesota states it uses a racial justice lens in all its legislative work. 8 LWVMN places a priority on redistricting that places racial minority representation above geographic and political considerations. 9 LWVMN lists top legislative priorities as fighting global warming and adoption of a ballot issue to add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution. 10 LWVMN also lists as a legislative priority the support for a law to allow end of life options including medically assisted suicide. 11 LWVMN trains volunteers to work on specific policy issues and lobby the legislature. 12
LWVMN has a climate change task force that advocates for environmentalist legislation and plans events throughout the state. 13 LWVMN supports the reduction of energy growth rates, predominant reliance on renewable energy, and mandatory energy provisions including auto emissions standards, thermal standards for building efficiency, and new appliance standards. 14 LWVMN has hosted events on global warming, Minnesota’s climate action efforts, and other left-leaning environmental issues. 15
LWVMN argues that illegal immigrants should be able to earn legal status, receive in-state tuition at public colleges and universities, and should be permitted to obtain driver’s licenses. 16 LWVMN supports restrictions on the sale, possession, and use of firearms and supports mandatory background checks for all firearm transactions including private sales. 17 LWVMN opposes “stand your ground” self-defense laws and amending the state Constitution to confirm an individual right to bear arms. 18
LWVMN endorses automatic voter registration, a process adopted in Minnesota that automatically registers anyone to vote through any interaction with a government agency. 19 LWVMN advocates for same-day voter registration and opposes photo ID requirements. 20 LWVMN endorsed a permanent absentee ballot plan that began in 2024 allowing voters to automatically receive an absentee ballot each election. 21 LWVMN also endorsed a plan that began in 2023 allowing 16 and 17 year olds to submit a voter registration application through pre-registration. 22
LWVMN argues that anyone on probation or parole should have the right to vote. 23 The LWVMN states, along with the national League of Women Voters, that the Electoral College should be abolished and the president should be chosen by popular vote. 24 LWVMN advocates for ranked-choice voting for local governments. 25 LWVMN opposes the use of recalls to remove members of the legislature and state constitutional officers. 26
Following the 2020 election, LWVMN wrote a letter to Minnesota state leaders calling on them to condemn “dangerous” “election lies” and alleging that “certain Republican legislators” have engaged in violent political rhetoric. 27 LWVMN stated that “failure to disavow these lies is to ally oneself with domestic terrorism.” 28 LWVMN began an Elections 411 website quoting right-of-center and left-of-center sources in an attempt to dispel the challenge to the 2020 election results. 29 LWVMN’s website also contains information on how to spot voting and political misinformation and disinformation in news coverage. 30
Partners
The League of Women Voters Minnesota has partnered with We Choose Us MN and Clean Elections Minnesota. 31 Other partner groups include the Minnesota chapter of left-leaning Common Cause, ERA Minnesota, FairVote Minnesota, the Minnesota Alliance for Democracy, the Minnesota Census and Democracy Partnership, the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Minnesota Voice, and Our Maps MN. 32
Finances
In 2022, the League of Women Voters Minnesota reported net assets of $1,220,994. 33 In 2022, LWVMN recorded $492,435 in revenue and had $713,375 in expenses. 34 In 2021, LWVMN raised $472,460 in revenue and had $593,527 in expenses. 35
Leadership
Michelle Witte has been executive director of the League of Women Voters Minnesota since 2017. 36 Previously, from 2010 to 2017, Witte was the executive director of the Merrill Community Arts Center and exhibit producer at the Minnesota State Fair from 2013 to 2016. 37 Prior, Witte worked in health care as a project consultant at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and founder and chief executive officer of Health Consumer Solutions. 38 Witte has worked for the Aspen Medical Group, Park Nicollet Health Care Products, Simply Retail Inc., The LifePlace, Community Health Resources, and the St. Louis Regional Health Care Foundation. 39 Since 2004, Witte has donated over $2,000 to Democratic political candidates. 40
References
- “Our History.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/our-history.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “Voting & Election Administration.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/voting-election-administration.
- “Our History.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/our-history.
- “Our History.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/our-history.
- “Our History.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/our-history.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities; “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “Climate Change Task Force.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/climate-change-task-force.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “Past Event Highlights.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/event-highlights.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “Voting & Election Administration.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/voting-election-administration.
- “Voting & Election Administration.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/voting-election-administration.
- “Voting & Election Administration.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/voting-election-administration.
- “Voting & Election Administration.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/voting-election-administration.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “2023-2025 Program for Action.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. August 2023. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUU-YhUjjWhDfTAjRL1SDigvcYP46wCU/view?pli=1.
- Mearhoff, Sarah. “League of Women Voters Calls on Minnesota State Leaders to Condemn Election Lies.” St. Paul Pioneer Press. January 18, 2021. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.twincities.com/2021/01/18/league-of-women-voters-calls-on-minnesota-state-leaders-to-condemn-election-lies/.
- Mearhoff, Sarah. “League of Women Voters Calls on Minnesota State Leaders to Condemn Election Lies.” St. Paul Pioneer Press. January 18, 2021. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.twincities.com/2021/01/18/league-of-women-voters-calls-on-minnesota-state-leaders-to-condemn-election-lies/.
- “Elections 411.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/elections411-trusted-sources.
- “Know Your News.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/know-your-news.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- “Our Priorities & Partners.” League of Women Voters Minnesota. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.lwvmn.org/legislative-priorities.
- League of Women Voters Minnesota, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2022.
- League of Women Voters Minnesota, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2022.
- League of Women Voters Minnesota, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2021.
- “Michelle Witte.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-witte-195677b/.
- “Michelle Witte.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-witte-195677b/.
- “Michelle Witte.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-witte-195677b/.
- “Michelle Witte.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-witte-195677b/.
- Center for Responsive Politics. “Michelle Witte.” Opensecrets.org. March 22, 2021. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Michelle+witte.