Democracy is strongest
when people show up.
Welcome to the League of Women Voters of St. Paul
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Will you join us?
What We Do
Since 1919, the League of Women Voters of St. Paul has been helping neighbors learn about elections, hosting candidate forums, and making sure people feel well informed when they step into the voting booth. Our public engagement activities include:
Advocating for free, fair, and transparent elections.
Producing voter education programs and resources (including candidate forums).
Registering new voters, including high school seniors, college students, and new citizens.
Creating programs to educate the public on key policy issues.
Building a community of democracy and voting rights advocates.
The League of Women Voters St. Paul has always been proudly nonpartisan. That means we don't support or oppose political parties or candidates. Instead, we focus on issues and policy and how they affect people’s lives. Our goal is to engage our neighbors, our community, and every eligible voter who wants to take part in shaping our democracy. Our work shows up in everyday ways, from making sure new voters know where and how to register, to hosting forums that give residents a chance to hear directly from candidates, to speaking out when policies threaten transparency or fairness. It all comes down to helping people feel informed, included, and confident that their voices matter.
Why Should You Join?
If you want to make a difference by educating and engaging fellow St. Paulites in the political process, then LWVSP is for you. Joining the League means putting into action the idea that informed citizens make our city (and our country) stronger. Members can coordinate events, register and educate voters, or simply stay informed and share what they learn. Some members volunteer a lot of their time; others may simply pay dues and attend events. However they engage, our members are important.
And no, you don’t have to be a woman. You just have to care about your community.
Some Ways to Get Started
Volunteer at a voter outreach event or candidate forum.
Donate to keep our work funded.
Show up at an event and bring a friend.
Common FAQs About the League of Women Voters of St. Paul
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No. The name is historic, emerging in a time when women had only just earned the right to vote. The name indicates the League’s continuing dedication to the fundamental principle of equality of the sexes. Everyone is welcome.
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No. We’re nonpartisan; our main focus is on fair elections and policy issues.
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That’s fine. Membership means you decide what you can give. Even staying informed helps.
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Voting and elections are our core, but we also host public forums, disseminate educational materials, and advocate for League positions on public policy issues.
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Membership dues for the League are split between your local chapter, its state League, and the national League. Local Leagues receive about 20% of membership dues, state Leagues about 47%, and the remainder goes to the national League. You can make additional donations to your local League if you wish to provide additional support. Click here to donate to the League of Women Voters of St. Paul Education Fund (this donation is tax deductible).
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When you join the League of Women Voters of St. Paul, you automatically become a member of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and the League of Women Voters of the U.S. too.
A Little League History
What is now the League of Women Voters of St. Paul (LWVSP) was founded in 1919, when women gained the right to vote in presidential elections in Minnesota (just before women gained the vote nationwide). Responding to the need to educate the expanding electorate in Minnesota, Cornelia Lusk and Jane Burr founded the Ramsey County League of Women Voters to help new voters -- at that time, women who had never cast a ballot -- to participate on the process. In 1947, the Ramsey County League was dissolved, and most of its members formed LWVSP.
Even as mayors and governors have come and gone, and national issues have shifted, the League of Women Voters of St. Paul has remained focused on engaging people in this city to use their voice. Learn more about our history →
