Making Democracy Work^®

Democracy Issues  
The LWVWA Democracy Team follows bills related to our representative government, elections, civic education, campaign finance, public accountability and records, and the initiative process. These bills can have sweeping effects on how our government works and even small changes can affect how many other issues get addressed or not.

Elections: Support changes that streamline the process while protecting the integrity of ballots and that result in equitable representation.

Money in Politics: Reduce big money's influence in politics through public financing, strengthening  financial disclosure and enforcement, and increasing transparency.

Initiative Process: Support an efficient process that keeps petition signers safe while preserving the integrity of the process. 

Redistricting 

Support an updated commission, ongoing staff and technical support, process transparency, clearly defined rank criteria, an inclusive process for public input, and language accessibility

Local News and Democracy 

Work to support efforts to revive local news and ensure all Washingtonians have ready access to information that helps them build healthy communities and participate in our democracy. Included in this effort is work to expand media-training opportunities for all.

Environment

Agriculture 

Advocacy efforts for the League of Women Voters of Washington in the area of Agriculture will focus on issues as they relate to agriculture viability, climate impacts, pollution and safe food access.

Climate Crisis & Energy 

Support measures that address the climate crisis and create clean and renewable energy sources as well as opportunities to enhance climate and environmental justice.

Forests 

Support measures that protect and restore mature and old-growth forests, reform the adaptive management program and enhance community resilience to wildfire.

Growth Management 

The League supports legislation that assures that land use decisions protect resource lands, forests, shorelines, rural areas and agriculture, and also enhance climate resilience. 

Transportation 
Achieve balanced and efficient systems, prioritizing those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion.

Waste Diversion 

Divert waste from disposal through reuse, reduction, recycling using a variety of methods including extended producer responsibility and product stewardship policies with special attention to packaging, plastics, batteries, and digital electronic products.

Social and Economic Policy

Support increased funding for behavioral health services and behavioral health workforce development.

Children’s Issues 

Ensure policies that provide for the safety and well-being of all children as well as access to opportunities to develop their full potential.

Criminal Justice 

Advocate for a criminal justice system that is just, effective, equitable and transparent, including sentencing reform, restrictions on use of solitary confinement, police accountability and recognition that mental health conditions and substance use disorders are health issues, not crimes.

Early Care and Education 

Promote adequately funded education services that support the development of children, those with special needs, economic vitality for families and businesses, and living wages and training/education for teachers. Ensure that state academic standards are sustained in local districts; and ensure that equitable education is available for all students.

Elder Care 

Action is needed to ensure the availability of services and systems, including caregiver supports, to allow elders to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as it is safe and feasible for them to do so.

Healthcare 

Support measures needed to progress toward Universal Healthcare funded by a single payer system for Washington State. Also support increasing the healthcare workforce capacity and improvements in system regulation.

Housing & Homelessness 

Ensure affordable housing for all and that new housing development is transit-oriented and contains environmental justice provisions.

Immigrants 

All residents, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, should be treated with dignity and respect. This means that all residents, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, should have access to essential state-funded services, have the opportunity to avail themselves of legal representation in court and immigration proceedings, and have the opportunity to live and work in safety. We encourage all elected officials and government leaders to take action to ensure these fundamental rights, and to condemn xenophobia, discrimination, and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Revenue 

Promote a flexible, equitable tax structure that provides robust support for all government obligations and is based on sound economic policy, including measures that will support savings in government costs to do business.