When the League appoints board members, their voter registration is never asked or considered. The League of Women Voters goes back to the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y., in 1848. These original suffragists were all Republicans. When Susan B. Anthony voted for the first time, she voted a straight Republican ticket.
Our positions are established through study and action and are not easily changed. We believed in supporting and extending the franchise at a time when Republicans were fighting a Civil War in support of this. We believed in protecting the environment at a time when Teddy Roosevelt was fighting for conservation. We believed in fair districts when the Democrats controlled the Florida Legislature. We believed in reasonable gun safety when Ronald Reagan was pushing for it.
We are nonpartisan because we never support or endorse candidates. Our issues are not decided by whatever political party happens to support them, although for the past couple of years, it has been Democrats who have supported our issues. If I may paraphrase Ertel: This not your grandfather's GOP.
Michele Levy former co-president, League of Women Voters of Orange County"
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