The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWV-WI) is the state level affiliate of the national League of Women Voters. The organization is officially non-partisan but engages in issue advocacy on the state level, with most of its supported policies favoring more government involvement and regulation of issues from urban planning to health care and non-bank lending practices. ^{1 2}

Founding and History

The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920, with the Wisconsin chapter receiving tax exempt status in 1987. ³

Financials

In the fiscal year ending in June 2020, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin generated $527,548 in revenue, of which $516,814 was derived from contributions and grants. The organization had $378,913 in expenses, of which salaries and benefits made up $217,221. It ended the fiscal year with $534,187 in net assets. ⁴

Policies and Projects

Abortion

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin does not explicitly state that it endorses the legalization of abortion. However, it does call for action to protect the right to make reproductive choices, which it grounds in the right to privacy. ⁵

Election Administration

LWV-WI supports the continuation of Wisconsin’s policy of same-day voter registration, the restoration of voting rights for felons who are no longer Imprisoned, no excuse mail-in voting, and opposes requiring photo identification to vote. ⁶

The group does not support term limits for governors and does not support a state constitutional convention. It also calls for an independent body to conduct redistricting and calls for redistricting to strive for compact districts that recognize community interests and represent diverse populations. ⁷

Education

LWV-WI supports local control of education and local authority to create charter schools. However, it opposes tax dollars going to private or religious schools and states that any organization that receives tax dollars be subject to the same rules and requirements as public school, including performance standards and teacher and employee standards. ⁸

Health Care

LWV-WI supports government involvement in the health-care industry in various educational and regulatory capacities. It calls for the government to educate consumers on various health insurance options, living wills, and extraordinary treatment options, as well as an active role in programs that promote preventive health choices and measures. ⁹

It also calls for the Wisconsin government to be involved in developing a health insurance program for residents without insurance, the regulation and licensure of health care professionals, and expansion of healthcare services in areas of the state lacking in coverage. ¹⁰

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

In June of 2018, the national League of Women Voters adopted a diversity, equity, and inclusion policy for the organization. ¹¹ It is promoted by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. The state branch links to resources, such as a guide on how to conduct a “land acknowledgement” in which a group states that the land they are on was supposedly stolen from indigenous peoples, toolkits and resources, as well as trainings for members to access and utilize. ¹²

Leadership

Dorothy Skye is the president of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. She is a physician from Northwoods, Wisconsin, and in 2004, contributed $500 to the congressional campaign of former U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-WI). ^{13 14}

1. “Home.” LWV. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin.
2. “Positions.” LWV. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/positions.
3.   Wisconsin League of Women Voters Inc, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2019.
4. Wisconsin League of Women Voters Inc, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2019, Part I.
5. “Citizens’ Rights.” LWV. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/position/citizens-rights.
6. “Citizens’ Rights.” LWV. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/position/citizens-rights.
7. “Government Structures & Procedures.” LWV. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/position/government-structures-procedures.
8. “Education.” LWV. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/position/education.
9. “Heath Care & Mental Health.” LWV. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/position/heath-care-mental-health.
10. “Heath Care & Mental Health.” LWV. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/position/heath-care-mental-health.
11. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy | League of Women Voters.” LWV, June 18, 2018. https://www.lwv.org/league-management/diversity-equity-inclusion/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-policy
12. “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” LWV. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.
13. “Leadership.” LWV, September 26, 2017. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/about/leadership.
14. “Browse Individual Contributions: Dorothy Skye.” FEC.gov. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Dorothy+Skye&min_date=01%2F01%2F2000&max_date=12%2F31%2F2022.