In today's political landscape the perception is that money rules. The candidate or cause that can raise the most money will buy the most television commercials and win most of the elections. The public policies that result will obviously favor such “big money”.

Well, the League of Women Voters doesn't think that has to be true. Those television commercials only work because many voters are poorly informed about the candidates and issues. A reinvigorated League of Women Voters wants to change that.

The League was founded in Chicago in 1920 by many of the women who had been active in the Women's Suffrage Movement. Doesn't it seem unbelievable that women obtained the right to vote less than 100 years ago? But the League is no longer just women; it embraces many Americans of both sexes who are dedicated to voter education and responsive, open government.

Today the League is active at the local, state and national levels and retains its goal of providing voter information. During election season, the League sponsors candidate forums and debates together with informational materials on state and local propositions. As today's League grows, there is the opportunity to expand its voter education mission. The issues of the day need to be added to the educational curriculum taught to our youth and the League needs to make this happen. The League needs to reach adults as well with volunteers prepared to teach public policy topics. The League's Smart Voter web sites are a valuable new way to promote voter education.

The League is not just about voter education though. Through its extensive organization, the League studies many important issues of the day and takes policy positions on such issues. League members present these positions to legislative bodies at the federal, state and local levels.