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Current Positions

Local leagues take positions on local issues through the study and consensus process.

Poll Worker Study – 2008-2009

The poll worker study committee has completed the training segment and held three consensus meetings in March 2009. The Board approved the following Consensus,
May 4, 2009:

“The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County support poll worker training conducted by well trained instructors who provide practical experience as well as written material in a system that evaluates both the trainers and the trainees and makes use of the latest information technology on an ongoing basis.”

Position on Recruitment and Retention of PBC Poll Workers Approved November 16, 2009

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County supports recruitment of competent, motivated and skilled poll workers by expanding outreach efforts to a broad range of civic and educational venues; the creation and dissemination of targeted materials to these venues through enhanced use of new media outlets; and the restructuring of the orientation program allowing for evaluation of potential workers.

The League supports communication between the Supervisor of Elections and poll workers after an election that provides an opportunity  for evaluation and  appreciation; and, between election cycles to foster a feeling of community among poll workers leading to their retention.

Background for consensus: Recruitment & Retention and Training Position

Ag Reserve - 1999

The Palm Beach County League of Women Voters took a position in February 1999 favoring the $150 million bond issue to buy sensitive lands and land in the Agricultural Reserve. The League first studied the Agricultural Reserve from various perspectives: the difficulties farmers face; the environmental impacts of farming vs development; the role of the Agricultural Reserve in the economy; and options for developing the Agricultural Reserve. You can get a copy of the 12-page report by contacting the LWVPBC.Based on the study the two county Leagues reached the following consensus: The Leagues of Women Voters of Palm Beach County support the March 9, 1999, Bond Referendum to purchase “environmentally sensitive lands, land for water resources, greenways, agricultural lands, and open spaces,” not exceeding $150,000,000.
Our support is based on long-standing League positions promoting stewardship of natural resources to assure their future availability. Unrestricted development would limit land available for aquifer recharge and water storage and limit land available for agriculture and open space.

Our support is influenced by the following rationale: The bonds will be issued incrementally, only as land is available for purchase and that approval may unlock matching funds and grants from other government agencies for land purchases. Criteria for land purchases in the Ag Reserve will be developed by the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition Committee which has successfully managed purchases of environmentally sensitive lands since 1991. Commissioners passed a resolution to that effect on 2/2/99. Purchases will come from willing sellers. We believe that land purchases could encourage the design of sustainable development patterns by reducing the number of dwelling units in the Agricultural Reserve and creating an opportunity to cluster homes, businesses and services into mixed-use town-like configurations. Clustering should reduce traffic congestion and allow more efficient delivery of services like water and sewage.

With the approval of the bond issue we believe that the citizens were sending a message to the County Commissioners that they care about how the county develops.