Morgantown-Monongalia

Observer Corps

Local Government

City Council
County Commission
Board of Education
Planning

Local Program 2023-2024

Voting and Democracy:

The right to vote and equal access to the ballot are pillars of U.S. democracy and guiding principles for the League of Women Voters (LWV).

2023-2024 Priorities:

Support non-partisan redistricting efforts.
Oppose restrictions on voter registration.
Oppose voter ID requirements that present barriers to voting.
Advocate for ways to increase voter turnout, based on lessons learned from the 2020 elections:
- Oppose any legislation that would restrict voting.
- Advocate for legislation to make voting easier while protecting election security, including no-excuse absentee voting and expanded options for ballot return and early in-person voting.
Engage city/county officials, party committees, and other stakeholders on barriers to voting, such as educational/informational barriers and access to polling places. Focus outreach on proposed legislation to modernize election methods, reduce taxpayer costs, and reduce administrative burden.
Oppose any effort to make campaign funding less transparent and more open to wealthy voters to the detriment of other voters.

Social Justice:

The LWV is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in principle and in practice. We are all responsible for making Morgantown, Monongalia County, and the state of West Virginia welcoming and inclusive communities.

2023-2024 Priorities:

Identify and collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations to make social justice principles a reality in Morgantown and Monongalia County. This includes working to provide housing, warming centers, and services for the unhoused.
Oppose legislative efforts to suppress civil and Constitutional rights.
Work to protect privacy for medical information; oppose efforts to mandate release of such information to schools or sports organizations (i.e., gender at birth or menstrual cycles).
Advocate for state and Federal legislation to protect LGBTQ rights, including protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Oppose legislation that prohibits access to medical procedures or medication.

Environmental Protection:

Climate change is no longer a distant or future threat. It has become a climate crisis for which near-term responses are needed. The LWV seeks to protect the health and safety of all West Virginians as well as our planet Earth.

2023-2024 Priorities:

Support strategic management of natural resources to protect the planet for this and future generations.
Advocate for environmental priorities that are coupled with a creative and just transition for workers in fossil fuel industries.
Oppose facilities that add, expand, or preserve dependence on fossil fuels.
Advocate passage of nuisance legislation that would alleviate problems of industrial noise, medical waste, or odor.
Recognize, support, and advocate with other organizations to promote our environmental protection priorities. Ensure that new technologies, such as carbon sequestration, are fully understood by the public.

Other Areas:

The following priorities and others will be pursued as circumstances demand and resources are available:

Local Government:

Monitor issues considered by area City Councils and the County Commission, and entities such as BOPARC, MM Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Mylan Foundation to enable us to be prepared to advocate for/against actions that may impact the community.

Education:

Advocate for legislation and policies to support well-funded, equity-based public education while opposing legislation that diverts funding and fails to prioritize disadvantaged students. Oppose legislative intrusion into areas delegated to governing bodies of institutions of learning, specifically boards of education for public schools and universities (i.e. textbook choices or course structuring). Work to keep funds centered on public schools, not diverted to Private schools.

Broadband Access:

Advocate for and support access to high-speed, affordable broadband for all residents, schools, libraries, and businesses in the county and state.

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