Advocacy
LWVNJ Activist Training Program
The LWVNJ Activist Training Program is a program designed to equip members and volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out dynamic organizing strategies that can effectively influence public policy and the state of democracy in New Jersey.
Click here for more information and to sign up for workshops.
For those who were unable to atend the April 29, 2021 webinar, the full recording of the panel (with Ronald K. Chen, Esq., Henal Patel, Esq., and Philip Hensley) is available here.
Complexities of the Filibuster: The Accidental Rule That Is Interrupting the Democracy We All Deserve
Fracking Banned in the Delaware River Basin
On Thursday, February 25, 2021, Governor Murphy and the other Delaware River Basin Commissioners kept their promise and voted to enact a ban on fracking in the entire Delaware River watershed. The Commission also promised to develop rules that will permanently prohibit the export of water for fracking purposes and the import of hydrofracking wastewater for treatment in the Basin. The League and our partners will fight to make sure they follow through on their promise.
September 1, 2020
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey and the NAACP New Jersey State Conference filed a motion to intervene in Trump v. Murphy, which challenges New Jersey’s plan to mail vote-by-mail ballots automatically to every registered New Jersey voter. Read More
LWVNJ Advocacy December 2019
LWVNJ is testifying in support of rights restoration for people on parole/probation. The bill passed the Senate Committee and heads to the Senate floor for a vote, probably on Monday December 16, 2019.
LWVNJ is also supporting legislation to expand driver’s licenses: Let's Drive NJ Coalition
Rally Outside Supreme Court
Lee Forbes (right) joins LWV demonstrators outside the Supreme Court, March 26, 2019, to ask for a ruling to end gerrymandering.
Declaration for American Democracy
Together, we must build a democracy where everyone participates, every vote is counted, and everyone’s voice is heard. We deserve to have a say in decisions that affect our lives, and to be fairly represented by elected officials who are responsive to our needs in order to make our lives better.Click here for the complete declaration.
Chrystal Schivell and Ellen Kemp participated in the Women's March on New Jersey.
Ways You Can Help Defend Our Democracy
“Standing Together” Rally to Celebrate DiversityNancy Hedinger, LWVNJ President, and Princeton Area members Lee Forbes and Chrystal Schivell carry a poster at the rally, held at Mercer County Community College on Sunday, May 7, 2017. Kudos to the East Windsor-Hightstown League, especially Arnold and Deborah MacMillan, for their activism in organizing this stand against racism.
Take Action:
Update 2/28/2019: BL England won't repower with natural gas, pipeline in doubt
Updates:
LWVNJ January 2017 Voting Reform Platform
LWVNJ January 2015 Advocacy Update
LWVNJ April 2014 Advocacy Update
LWVNJ January 2014 Advocacy Update
Earned Sick Days
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey is a proud member of the "Time to Care" Coalition working to make earned sick days a reality in NJ.
At a Trenton press conference, League Executive Director Kerry Butch said, "Earned sick days provide the work-life balance that both women and men need to be productive at home and at the job. Policies that aid women and families strengthen our economy and when women succeed, New Jersey succeeds."
Over 1.2 million New Jersey workers - 38 percent of the state's private-sector workforce - lack earned sick days. Over 200 people have added their names to a statement calling for implementation of an earned sick day policy in New Jersey.
Human Trafficking
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey, as a member of the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking, attended a rally to raise awareness of the horrors of human trafficking and what can be done to stop it. Additionally, the League has voiced support for legislation that will designate January 11th as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in New Jersey. We continue to work with lawmakers and coalition members to support bills that aid victims, prosecute criminals, and train law enforcement.
The LWVNJ has reached a consensus on the issue of Human Trafficking; the LWVNJ position is included in LWVNJ Study & Action 2017-2019 , page 84.
In-State Tuition
Members of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey attended a rally and signed a letter in support of A1659 / S2355 and A3509 / S2479. These bills would allow all students who attended a high school in New Jersey for at least three years, and graduated or received an equivalent degree, to qualify for in-state/resident rates at NJ's public institutions of higher education, regardless of immigration status (A1659/S2355) and allow some undocumented students to be eligible for both in-state rates and state financial aid (A3509/S2479).
Gun Control
The League of Women Voters has a long standing position, reached by consensus of our members, in support of Gun Control. Since 1990, we have used this position to lobby in support of the assault weapons ban, legislation requiring all dealers to run criminal background checks at gun shows and in opposition to laws that grant special protection for the gun industry. The League of Women Voters of the U.S. sent a letter to Vice President Biden urging him to propose common sense solutions to the gun violence plaguing our nation.
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey continues to watch all legislation concerning gun control closely and to advocate for common sense solutions.
On Saturday, March 24, 2018, members of the League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area joined a crowd of more than 4,000 people to advocate for better gun regulations. Click here for photos.
Armchair Advocacy
February 23, 2012
Sandy Matsen, Advocacy Coordinator, LWV of New Jersey, led a workshop on if, when, and how to
post information from other organizations on the League website;
write letters in support of League positions;
use the League’s name in support of our personal causes, clarifying the protocol involved in using the League’s name as well as what determines that its use is inappropriate.
In the following three videos, Sandy Matsen highlights three areas within advocacy: the Lobby Corps, Armchair Advocacy, and Action Alerts.
1. The Lobby Corps: A standing corps of LWV members who will lobby legislators whenever LWV-NJ directs them to address an issue.
2. Armchair Advocacy: The rules about writing letters to the editor using the League name. This segments also explores the difference between "partisan" and "political."
3. Action Alerts: A brief reminder that those last-minute calls to legislators to vote for our against a bill really do make a difference.