Voter Education and League Studies

League of Women Voters^®
of Sussex County

Education Fund. StudyConsensusProcess. LWVDE Studies. LWVUS Studies.

Our Education Fund

The League of Women Voters Education Fund conducts voter service and citizen education activities. It is a nonpartisan nonprofit public policy educational organization, which:

Builds citizen participation in the democratic process through voter registration projects, non-partisan candidates' forums, and other activities.

Studies key community issues at all government levels in an unbiased manner. Background materials developed by study committees are provided to local League members who then participate in "consensus meetings" to answer study questions. The answers, once compiled, form the basis for League positions that lead to advocacy.

Enables people to seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management. The LWVDE publishes a downloadable brochure, This Way to the Voting Booth, for distribution to the public. It provides details on registration and voting.

Donations to the Education Fund, a 501(c)(3)corporation, are fully tax-deductible where allowed by law. To support our local League's work, please click on the donate tab below.

The League Study - Consensus Process

Studies are part of League "Program" and, in League parlance, League Program includes all of the positions the League uses to affect public policy as well as the procedure for adopting these programs. Program has three parts: 1) selection of an issue, 2) study of that issue, consensus and formulating a position, and 3) use of that position to influence public policy.
What is a consensus?
It is easier to say what consensus is not, than what it is. Consensus is not a vote; rather, consensus is mutual agreement of League members arrived at through discussion. During discussion, everyone has an opportunity to express their viewpoints, and the issue is examined from all sides. Consensus questions, created by the appropriate study committee and approved by the Board, provide structure for the meeting. Members discuss the pros and cons until it becomes apparent that consensus has/has not been reached on each question. The study committee analyzes the consensus responses and, using this information, creates a position statement.

LWVDE Studies

The LWV DE has recently initiated a study of State Revenue Sources. This study will focus on:

understanding Delaware's current funding sources (some of which rely on out of state businesses and individuals) and their relative importance to the state budget;

examining the criteria used by several other state Leagues in doing revenue studies (adequate yield, equity/fairness, compatibility with state social and environmental policy, cost effective administration, elasticity/natural growth, benefit/fairness, simplicity, public acceptance, compatibility and links with federal policy, competitive business climate);

the process used by Delaware to estimate future revenues for budgeting purposes (Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council--usually known as DEFAC);

evaluating possibilities for enhancing Delaware's revenue profile.

To assist with this project, contact Margaret (Mickey) McKay, Study Coordinator.

LWVUS Studies

The League of Women Voters of the U.S. has two studies underway.

The Federal Role in Education. Along with Local Leagues across the country, we have just completed our consensus process on questions raised in this study. LWVUS will analyze those responses to determine a national consensus that will lead to a national advocacy position on education. The questions addressed in this study are here.

Privatization The purpose of this study is to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good. Local Leagues are now beginning the process of studying these issues. The deadline for consensus on this study is May 1, 2012. Here is a link to the Study Guide, consensus questions and other background papers. In addition, here are some more general suggested readings:
Government Privatization: History, Examples, and Issues, prepared by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability
Paul Starr, The Meaning of Privatization, Yale Law and Policy Review 6 (1988): 6-41.
Privatization: A Seattle League Study.
General Accounting Office, Privatization: Lessons Learned by State & Local Governments (1997). Includes a glossary of terms.
Privatization: A Seattle League Study. (2009)

We depend on dues and donations to fund our work. Your donation will help us achieve our goal of Making Democracy Work.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: February 15, 2012 05:20 PST.