League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA)

Background

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA) claims to be a nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to “empowering voters and strengthening democracy within Massachusetts.” ⁴ LWVMA was founded in 1920, several months before the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. LWVMA began as the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association (active 1870–1919), which became the LWVMA following the enfranchisement of women. ^{5 6}

LWVMA operates through multiple local Leagues across Massachusetts. These local Leagues contribute overall to LWVMA’s state-wide advocacy, as well as focus their activities towards specific communities. ⁷

Advocacy

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWMVA) have supported ranked-choice voting. In the 2020 general election, LWVMA urged a “YES” vote on Massachusetts statewide ballot question 2, which was in favor of adopting ranked-choice voting in elections. ⁸

In 2020, LWVMA joined over 80 groups in supporting Massachusetts’ election modernization bill (S.2755, later H.4820) in response to COVID-19. Through the Election Modernization Coalition, the organization supported amendments for an online ballot request portal, funding to count all timely mailed ballots, and extending absentee ballot request deadlines. Then-Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed the bill into law on July 6, 2020. ^{6 9}

LWVMA have opposed restrictions on contraception, sterilization, and abortion services while advocating against which would withhold state funds meant for providers offering abortion services in the state. LWVMA has also opposed both state and federal constitutional amendments aimed at restricting abortion, participating in amicus briefs and coalition work to defeat such measures. ^{4 9}

LWVMA have supported broad programs of reparations for African Americans, prioritizing descendants of those enslaved in the U.S. between 1619 and 1865. The organization has called for educational campaigns on what it perceives as “systemic racism” and has argued all levels of government, businesses, institutions, and faith-based groups should participate in funding and implementing the programs. LWVMA has further argued that the federal government should supply the majority of funding.  ^{4 9}

LWVMA have supported “decarceration” efforts, reducing prison terms while reserving prison for extreme or repeat offenders as a last resort. It advocates for “cost-effective” alternatives for prison time, arguing that longer sentences hinder rehabilitation, delay reintegration, and fail to deter crime.  ^{4 9}

LWVMA have supported integrating illegal immigrants into local communities, including issuing driving certificates and allowing auto insurance for those who pass a state driving test. The organization opposes police enforcement of immigration laws, penalties for landlords renting to tenants who are illegal immigrants, and bans on business permits for illegal immigrants.  ^{4 9}

LWMVA have opposed the publication of past communist affiliation by candidates as a requirement for their candidacy, the direct election of judges, term limits, and the death penalty.  ^{4 9}

Finances

The IRS classifies The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA) as a 501(c)(4) Advocacy Non-Profit. LWVMA further has a Citizen Education Fund known as the LWV Lotte Scharfman Memorial Fund, which the IRS classifies as a 501(c)(3) Educational Fund. ¹⁰

Leadership

Celia Canavan is the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA). Canavan previously served as Director of Government Affairs for Brockton, MA. Canavan has worked on left-of-center ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts, including the 2024 MA Question 4 on certain natural hallucinogenic substances, a Maine proposal to counter Citizens United v. FEC, and a Maine universal healthcare campaign. ¹¹

Courtney Rau Rogers is the LWVMA Co-President alongside Courtney Henderson. Rogers was a former president of LWV Norwood, where she sponsored forums on ranked choice voting. Rogers served on LWVMA’s 100th Anniversary and DEI Steering Committees and is the Assistant Principal for Student Services at Bigelow Middle School in Newton, MA. ¹²

Courtney Henderson is the LWVMA Co-President alongside Courtney Rau Rogers. Henderson has organized workshops for women with the Brockton Area Branch NAACP and serves as Vice President and Social Action Chair of her local Sigma Gamma Rho chapter. She is also the founder & CEO of Develop & Empower Consulting LLC, a left-of-center campaign management firm. ^{13 14}