About the League

Election of the President by popular vote

On April 14th, the United States got one step closer to making sure that every person’s vote counts in every presidential election. With Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s signature, the Commonwealth of Virginia adopted the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The National Popular Vote law will take effect when approved by states with a majority of the electoral votes (270 of 538).

Then the presidential candidate with the most votes in all 50 states and DC will get all the electoral votes from the enacting states. The addition of 13 electoral votes for Virginia brings the total to 222 electoral votes; only 48 more needed. Our Constitution (Article II, Section 1) gives states exclusive control of the choice of awarding their electoral votes. It does not encourage, discourage, require, or prohibit the use of any particular way. Under the National Popular Vote law, no voter will have their vote cancelled out because their choice differed from the prevailing sentiment in their state. Instead, every voter’s vote will be added directly into the national count of the candidate chosen by that voter.

The basic premise is simple — every vote equal, add up all the votes, most votes wins. Simple, fair and the way every other election in our country is conducted. Since 1970 the League of Women Voters has affirmed that the popular election of the president is essential to representative government. North Carolina should enact the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact; tell your legislators.

Suzanne Fisher, President League of Women Voters Asheville-Buncombe County, Black Mountain

The 57th Biennial League of Women Voters National Convention will be June 25-28th in Columbus, Ohio! Join us in-person or virtually for a powerful multi-day event where League members from across the country will come together to network, learn, and chart the course for the next biennium.

Register here.

BREAKING NEWS:
The SAVE Act failed in the Senate

For a second time, the U.S. Senate failed to advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a sweeping anti-voter legislation that would erect significant barriers to ballot access for millions of eligible Americans.

“We are glad to see the SAVE Act stall in the Senate once again. We are grateful to every senator who stood firm against it. To every American who called, wrote and organized to make their voice heard, thank you — your voice matters,” said Laura Williamson, senior policy advisor, SPLC. “While we know opponents of a multiracial, inclusive democracy will continue to push the SAVE Act and other attempts to block the right to vote, we know the American people will continue to reject these efforts and have the power to stop them.” ~Southern Poverty Law Center

While the SAVE Act could be brought to the Senate floor again later this year, pro-democracy advocates across the country have shown just how hard we’re willing to fight to ensure equal access to the ballot box.

The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County purchased English and Spanish versions of the wonderful book, Leo’s First Vote, by Christina Soontornvat. LWVAB has distributed sets to nine libraries in Buncombe, three in Madison and two in McDowell. Sets have also been given to Mountain Laurel Montessori School, Art Space Charter School, and Old Fort Elementary.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer received an award from the nonprofit Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Now for her support of the Equal Rights Amendment as the group stopped in front of Asheville City Hall during its “Driving the Vote for Equality” tour.

The nonprofit group’s tour recreates a 1916 road trip taken by two suffragists to spread awareness about women’s inability to vote at the time. Organizers said this year’s tour features the same vehicle used during that 1916 road trip.

During the group’s Asheville stop on Thursday, residents had the chance to speak with organization representatives and step into the vehicle. Representatives also petitioned for the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits sex discrimination under the Constitution, to be recognized as the 28th Amendment.

“It’s really important for especially young women in the audience to know how important [the] Equal Rights Amendment is for equal pay. It’s important for education opportunities. It’s important for violence against women,” said Kathy Bonk, an ERA Now representative. “It gives us the highest level of support that the Constitution can give.”

Read the story on WLOS.

Support the Equal Rights Amendment – sign the petition.

Action Alert

This issue is not about immigration policy—it is about the protection of constitutional rights, the rule of law, and the principle that no government agency is above accountability. The use of intimidation, surveillance, and lethal force against people exercising their First Amendment rights threatens the foundations of our democracy and demands congressional oversight.

The League has a long history of defending civil liberties and civic participation. When constitutional rights are eroded anywhere, they are weakened everywhere.

Click here to tell your elected officials Congress that you demand transparency, investigation, and accountability.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, volunteer-based, political organization consisting of women and men passionate about our democracy. Born out of the national women’s suffrage movement in 1920, the League continues to work to serve the needs of the voting public and protect the rights of all voters.

Our efforts are two-fold:
Voters Service, Citizen Education – presenting unbiased, nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process and current issues.

Action, Advocacy – following education on the issue(s), action is taken towards enacting policies in the public interest and striking down policies harmful to society.

A just society is derived from a democracy consisting of an engaged and educated public that has faith in the political process.

The League of Women Voters is a membership organization encouraging action and advocacy as a nonprofit 501(c)(4) corporation. To conduct our voter service and citizen education activities, funds are derived from the Florence Ryan Education Fund, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to building citizen participation in democratic process, studying key community issues at all government levels in an unbiased manner, and enabling people to seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management.

The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County currently offers meetings and events for members as well as educational programs for the public. Quarterly member events include two meetings each year, a Holiday Social in winter and an Annual Luncheon & Meeting in May or June. League action teams and committees also hold regular meetings for the members involved in those groups.

Join us! Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. And check out our YouTube Channel for past meetings and voting issues we’re involved with. Our Calendar page has upcoming events.

Connect with your State League: North Carolina League of Women Voters
Connect with the National League: National League of Women Voters

Our chapter is centered around Buncombe County and includes several adjoining counties. This is the homeland of the Cherokee and other nations. We recognize the sovereignty and traditional territories of these local tribal nations, the treaties used to remove them, and the histories of dispossession. We honor and respect the many diverse indigenous people who came before us, who are still here, and who are connected to the land on which we reside.

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