For many years, I’ve followed elections and keenly watched the League of Women Voters of the United States. They are being criticized now for being partisan instead of living up to their policy of not supporting or opposing any candidate or party in any election.
The statement that has now come out from the national level gave me some pause, and I needed to do some critical thinking about the mention specifically of President Trump and his actions.
After doing some research, it is clear to me that the League of Women Voters has not changed its policies or positions on issues. More than 100 years ago, after they campaigned and got the vote, the first issues they spoke up on were child labor laws and public education.
Since their inception, they have consistently spoken out on issues of education, health care, voting rights and protecting democracy at every level of government, emphasizing the importance of an educated electorate.
I have concluded that the public statement of concern about what the current president is doing that threatens these issues is completely consistent with the non-partisan bylaws that they continue to support.
There is nothing partisan about disagreeing with the policies and actions of those in power after an election.
Linda Benson
Sequim