Education Fund Projects and Studies

STUDIES

Growth Management Act study (PDF version)
A one-year study about the Growth Management Act in Washington State. Topics include how we got the Act and what it was intended to fix; specific components of the Act, such as goals, planning requirements and enforcement; an assessment of how it has worked around the state; successes and challenges; case studies; current controversies and comparison with other states.

Hard copies are available for $10 (includes tax & shipping) by calling or emailing the state office, 206-622-8961, 1-800-419-2596, lwvwa@lwvwa.org. Or mail a check to LWVWA, 4710 University Way NE, #214, Seattle, WA 98105. Or download an order form here.

Election Reform study (PDF version)
This study reviews the issues raised by the historically close 2004 governor's race and the resulting changes in state law. Examined were the new state Voter Registration Database system and the various approaches to auditing election results. Included is a synopsis of Building Confidence in U.S. Elections, (The Carter-Baker Report) and a summary of recommendations of the Brennan Center for Justice and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights for Improving Reliability of Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Voting Systems.

Voting Inside and Outside the Box -- Part II, 2004
Voting Equipment and Procedures on Trial, 2003
A two-year study looks at voting with absentee/vote-by-mail ballots, reviews the security checks in the ballot counting process, evaluates the role voting equipment plays in voting and tallying, and includes a definition of terms.

Direct Democracy: The Initiative and Referendum Process in Washington, 2002
A review of initiative and referendum history and study of requirements and regulations adopted by other states and proposals that might work to improve the process in Washington.

An Evaluation of Major Election Methods, 2000
An examination of the goals of representative democracy, the voting systems used in Western Democracies, and procedures in preparation for and conducting elections.

Order a printed copy of a study.

BOOKS

The State We're In: Washington, 5th edition, 2004.
A citizens handbook about state government written and produced by the League and used in schools, libraries, universities, and by citizens around the state. Its companion Teachers Curriculum Guide is now available. Clear concise language explains how a bill becomes a law, the role of state agencies, the interactions of the three branches of government, the role of cities and counties, the initiative and referendum process, political parties and more.

Order a copy of The State We're In.

How to Pick a Candidate, 2004
A step-by-step guide that includes information on how to match your own priroties with those of the candidates and how to analyze campaign approaches and finances.

Citizens Guide to the Courts, 2001
A project on Judicial Independence was undertaken in conjunction with 14 other Leagues across the U.S., funded and administered by the national League of Women Voters Education Fund. An outcome following from this project was the distribution to several thousand members of the public of this booklet published by the state office of court administration with production assistance from the LWVWA Education Fund.