Key Accomplishments Since 1920
The League of Women Voters was established on February 14, 1920, seven months after Congress passed the women’s suffrage amendment, forty-one years after it was first introduced. Hopeful that the states would ratify the 19th amendment, the National American Woman Suffrage Association transformed itself into the League of Women Voters to educate women about government and public policy. The fierce struggle for suffrage had lasted for more than seventy years. As soon as NM ratified the amendment on February 21, 1920, Carrie Chapman Catt, President of the League of Women Voters of the United States, appointed Ina Sizer Cassidy of Santa Fe as president of LWVNM. The 19th Amendment was formally adopted into the US Constitution on August 26, 1920.
LWV focused on broad subject areas: child welfare, education, public health, safe working conditions, and women’s rights. The League trained volunteer teachers for citizenship schools and organized institutes to study issues in government. It also initiated "Know Your Town" booklets, produced voter guides, conducted candidate forums, and voter outreach campaigns. Voter service efforts remain a hallmark of the League's services to the electorate today. The League works diligently for fair elections, civil rights, and good government.
1920s-1930s
Educated women about voting, government, and civic participation
Worked for child labor laws and humane labor conditions
Participated in the International Alliance of Women to promote women's rights, development, and gender equality around the world
Supported the creation of the League of Nations
Examined liberalizing divorce laws
Advocated for improved laws to suppress prostitution and eradicate venereal disease
1940s-1950s
Wrote “Know Your Town/County” surveys and booklets
Studied local and state government structures, and processes
Studied health and education policies
Studied ways to improve election procedures and functions
Promoted water quality measures
Held meetings on international relations
LWVNM Key Accomplishments Since 1920
1960s-1970s
Recommended changes in election procedures and absentee ballots
Assisted in updating voter registration lists and served as poll watchers
Educated the public on the use of voting machines.
Conducted live radio and TV interviews with candidates for office
Made in-depth studies of urban renewal and Model Cities planning
Supported use of medically indigent funds for prescriptions and nursing home patients
Educated the public about the need for a Constitutional Convention through speakers’ bureau and newsletters, conducted candidate forums for delegates, advocated for revisions, and supported ratification
1970s-1980s
Participated in the Model Cities Program
Produced “Troubled Children” four-part TV series with the NM Humanities Council
Conducted "Dress Up, Dial Down” energy conservation campaign
Produced and distributed publication on practical ways to save energy
Worked to pass ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in NM
Lobbied for the passage of election reform and Open Meetings Act
Conducted studies on financing of public education
Started admitting men in 1974
1980s-1990s
Studied structure of public education with fair and adequate funding
Supported the creation of County Indigent Funds
Encouraged public to recycle and reuse to reduce waste
Published directories of public officials
Provided lobbying workshops before Legislative sessions
1990s-2000
Studied and advocated for health care, education, Motor Voter, campaign finance reform, public transportation, and services for families and children
Studied school finance and advocated for State Equalization Guarantee formula
Studied urban growth and zoning; advocated for public land management and open spaces
Advised Government Ethics Task Force and Legislative Health Policy Commission
Recommended HIPC-Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperative and rural health care
Recommended a Health Information System to collect, manage, and evaluate data, requiring all physicians to report symptoms, treatment, and outcomes
Conducted Nuclear Waste Education Project; advocated for accountability, environmental restoration, and responsible waste management
Conducted Education Study on curriculum standards and site-based management
Studied sexual assault and proposed changes in sexual offense statutes
LWVNM Key Accomplishments Since 1920
Promoted violence prevention programs
Served on Court Monitors Task Force
Advocated for all-day kindergarten
Sponsored “Running and Winning” workshops for women candidates
Advocated for voting reforms: integrity of voting methods; early voting uniformity; centralized voter registration; adequate funding to ensure accurate, fair, efficient elections
2000-2010
Conducted “Open and Ethical Elections Code” study
Advocated for campaign finance laws with penalties for non-compliance, strict ethics rules on lobbying, a commission to receive complaints, conduct investigations, and present cases for enforcement
Promoted compliance with Help America Vote Act; successfully sued NM Secretary of State, leading to US Department of Justice oversight of our elections
Advocated for public financing of Public Regulation Commission campaigns
Lobbied for Medicaid expansion and universal health care with Health Care for All coalition
Held discussion groups as part of a national dialogue on open government and secrecy “The Democracy Agenda”
Educated communities through discussions on balancing civil liberties with homeland security
Advocated for repealing the death penalty and instituting alternative sentencing
Studied sustainability concepts and advocated for clean/renewable energy and other strategies to combat climate change and pollution
Advocated for effective water planning, allocation, and distribution
Studied redistricting practices resulting in a “Fair Representation” position with principles for improved process
2010-Present
Advocated for campaign contribution limits and disclosure of lobbying and advertising to reduce the influence of special interests and money in politics
Promoted increasing accountability, transparency, and public input in government decisions
Advocated for improvements in Public Regulation Commission operations
Advocated for independent redistricting commission
Fought for fair immigration policies including drivers’ licenses for undocumented residents
with alternative identification
Advocated for increase in minimum wage and governmental assistance to reduce poverty
Promoted policies protecting air, water, public lands, and energy
Fought efforts to undo the repeal of the death penalty and increase incarceration
Advocated for strong, independent ethics commission with funding for implementation
Sued State of NM successfully, leading to NM Supreme Court decision to compile voter- approved Constitutional amendments to remove discriminatory language and election barriers
Advocated for consolidation of elections, National Popular Vote, and access to voting
Advocated for enlightened alcohol- and drug-treatment policies instead of criminalization
Advocated for quality mental health services, funding, and access
LWVNM Key Accomplishments Since 1920
Advocated for more affordable housing for moderate- and low-income households
Advocated for improved charter school authorization policies, more financial regulation, and academic and operational accountability
Advocated for increase in pre-K-12 funding and early childhood education and services
Advocated for reproductive healthcare free from governmental interference and insurance coverage for contraception and fought efforts to criminalize and prevent safe abortions
Advocated for Medicare expansion, health care transparency, and medical assistance in dying
Advocated for fair treatment of immigrants, including need for drivers’ licenses
Advocated for firearms background checks and protection for domestic violence victims Advocated for tax system reform to generate more revenue and promote fairness
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2020 Priorities
LWVNM continues to advocate for quality education and health care, natural resources stewardship, fair elections, and sound social policies. It promotes consensus-building and collaborative decision making through civil discourse rather than political means.
LWVNM expands its election efforts by producing voter guides for the whole state, implementing Vote411.org, and improving redistricting process.
LWVNM and local Leagues continue to promote open government decision-making, transparency/accountability in government, and improvements in state and local policies. Leaguers make a difference through their commitment to voter education and empowerment and through countless efforts to strengthen our democracy.