Educate, Advocate, Empower. Repeat.

Our Mission

We are a non-partisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in all levels of government and works to increase understanding of major policy issues through education and advocacy.

Voter Engagement

We recognize and strive to eliminate barriers to participation in the election process, especially for first time voters, new citizens, and communities of color and low income.  

Civic Education

An educated voter is a likely voter. By conducting forums, producing voter guides, and holding information sessions on a wide variety of issues, we promote active citizenship. 

Check out our Civic Buzz programs.

Advocacy

While we are non-partisan, we are not without opinions. We arrive at positions through study and consensus and then lobby elected officials, based on listening to our members.

In support of Minnehaha 3000
The League of Women Voters of Minneapolis strongly supports the plan
repurposing the former Third Police Precinct building.

September 12, 2024

The League of Women Voters of Minneapolis can think of no better use for the consequential structure at the corner of Minnehaha Avenue and Lake Street — which was destroyed by fire in the anguish and tumult following George Floyd’s murder — than to serve and empower the public as a new Democracy Center.

In addition, the two components proposed to share the building under the city’s Minnehaha 3000 plan (tinyurl.com/minnehaha3000), Election and Voter Services and a large community space, meet the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to expanding civic participation, the league sees multiple advantages in the larger capacity Minnehaha 3000 offers compared with the current 980 E. Hennepin Av. location of Election and Voter Services. More room means accommodating greater numbers of early voters with shorter wait times to cast ballots, increased processing capacity for the ever-growing volume of mail-in ballots, and additional areas for training, equipment and storage. All will add to efficiency and better voter interaction. We shouldn’t overlook the economic benefit of this critical voting infrastructure having a permanent city-owned home. The current location is leased, with rent expected to rise with the next renewal contract.

With our mission to make the vote accessible to all Minneapolis residents, the league appreciates the geographic location of Minnehaha 3000, at the meeting of two major thoroughfares with plentiful public transportation options. It is wholly appropriate to create this Democracy Center in the heart of Ward 9, where voter turnout has historically been low. Its presence will help remove voting barriers and invigorate the democratic process.

Likewise, we applaud the inclusion of a large community space in the repurposed structure and call on project leaders to continue to gather input and be guided by the community in determining the specific usage of this space. The league is heartened by the sensitivity shown so far in the decision to no longer house law enforcement at the former Third Precinct site, respecting the strong wishes of the public.

As the process unfolds with final decisions expected this fall, we encourage residents to share their ideas and desires for the proposed ground floor community space at a drop-in open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. In turn, we urge project officials to include that public input in their plan presentation to the Minneapolis City Council on Oct. 15 so that city leaders are able to make the new, and very best, Minnehaha 3000 Democracy Center a reality as soon as possible.

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Gen Z Plans to Vote!

Video created by Skylar Strudwick, Intern with LWVMpls

Public Safety

The League of Women Voters of Minneapolis has studied public safety, developed positions for action, and continues to monitor and participate in activities in order to:

  • Educate voters and
  • Drive change

It is essential for all citizens to be informed and hold our public officials accountable to achieve the public safety the citizens of Minneapolis deserve.

Updates

What's Wrong with the Electoral College

With thanks to the LWV Edina for this powerful 30 minute presentation titled "What's Wrong with the Electoral College".  Here's a presentation teaser...the electoral college origins trace back to slavery. The presentation includes strong statistical evidence that the electoral college suppresses all voices regardless of population density, state size or voter demographics. Six major problems created by the electoral college along with the popular myths surrounding it are identified. A compelling case is made for how moving to a direct popular vote for president can fix it. This is also a priority issue for LWVUS

Our Rich History

100 years and counting

League of Women Voters has a 100-year history of striving to make democracy work for all citizens. Its roots are in thesuffragist movement, but it quickly moved from the enfranchisement of women to take on the issues of the day – always in a non-partisan framework supported by volunteers.

Much has changed since 1919. LWV is inclusive of all gender identities, and non-citizens. The goals of supporting goodgovernment have remained the same, however. We invite youto explore League in its decade-by-decade work to promote civic engagement and strong communities.

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