League of Women Voters of Sacramento County

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The League of Women Voters of Sacramento County is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of men and women working to protect and expand voting rights to ensure everyone is heard and represented in our democracy.  We empower voters and defend inclusive practices at the local level.  As a nonpartisan organization, LWVSC neither supports nor opposes candidates or parties. 

LWVSC works with partners throughout the county to register and educate voters.  Our members inform the public about eligibility requirements for voting and how to register or check registration status, find out about procedures for voting by mail and in person, learn about ballot measures, and understand their voting rights.  We focus on serving areas with low rates of registration and voting.

LWVSC helps voters make informed decisions by introducing them to Vote 411, the national LWV’s nonpartisan online voter guide, where they can find election information as it will appear on their personal ballot.  LWVSC members contact local candidates and urge them to share their goals, issue statements, endorsements, and other data with voters via Vote 411 at no cost.  LWVSC also collaborates with community organizations to hold and/or moderate candidate and issue forums for local elections. We distribute links to recorded forums widely to help inform voters about the candidates on their ballot.

LWVSC prepares voters of the future by pre-registering and registering high school students and helping conduct mock elections.  We hold many voter registration and education events at local colleges and universities.  We also support future leaders by offering an annual scholarship—named for former Sacramento Mayor and LWVSC President Anne Rudin--to an outstanding upper-division or graduate student in public policy, public administration, law or related field of study.

LWVSC defends democracy by educating about, and advocating for, issues significant to the community.  For decades we have used our extensively studied, consensus-based positions to urge development of public policy consistent with these positions and well-established national, state, and local League principles.  Our “Observer Corps” observes city and county government meetings to advance ethics and transparency in government decision-making and serve as “watchdogs for the public.”

Members also educate voters and advocate for reforming electoral systems to improve representation and voter turnout.