Empowering voters
Defending democracy
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels. The Amherst League was founded in 1939.
How to Run for Office
The LWV of Amherst believes that all residents are well served when elections for local office are contested, leading to a choice for voters. The League supports diverse perspectives as fundamental to a responsible and representative government.
This Candidates’ Guide is a supplement to the information found on the Amherst Town website and the Massachusetts State Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) website. It is intended to help anyone interested in serving the Town in an elective position.
This document was revised for the Fall, 2025 election cycle.
Amherst Town Election Calendar - 2025
Upcoming events
-
Book Club Meeting
Wednesday, September 10
1:30 - 3:00PM
The book this month will be Hild, by Nicola Griffith.
The LWV Book Group will meet the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at Applewood. The building is handicapped accessible.
September 10: Hild, Nicola Griffith
Please call before heading over to confirm.
For information email Phyllis Leher -
September Opening Meeting
Thursday, September 11
6:30-8:30PM
Come meet our members, learn about our local league initiatives and discover all the ways you can get involved.
The meeting will be from 6:30 - 8:30pm at 35 Triangle Street in Amherst.
There will be potluck finger food - bring something to share and/or just bring yourself.
Feel free to bring a friend!
-
Benefit Concert for Pioneer Valley Workers Center
Saturday, September 13
7:00 - 9:00 PM
An evening of inspiring, pro-democracy, social-justice themed folk music.
Unitarian-Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 N Pleasant Street, Amherst
(not a League event)
for more information: email [email protected]
-
Naturalization Ceremony for new US Citizens
Wednesday, September 17
11 AM
Honorable Kathleen A Robertson, US District Court, Massachusetts, presiding.
The Amherst League will be on hand to provide voter information for newly naturalized citizens at the Munson Memorial Library in Amherst.
Ways to get involved
-
![]()
Voter Services
Chair: Caroline Murray
We develop resources on how and where to vote, running for elected office, student voting information and much more.
Volunteer with this committee to organize candidate fora and develop the Voter’s Guide.
-
![]()
Racial Justice Committee
Co-Chairs Milan Clark and Martha Hanner
The purpose of the Racial Justice Committee is to encourage and help focus the Amherst League of Women Voters’ work to understand and challenge systemic racism, both locally and nationally. We will collaborate with other like-minded local efforts who share this goal. We intend to educate ourselves and our organization about racism at the individual, community and organizational levels with a commitment to listening. We seek a solution-oriented understanding of what it means to be anti-racist. In working against racism in our community, we intend primarily to partner with other organizations rather than initiating projects on our own.
Browse our Judy Brooks Series videos
-
![]()
Healthcare
Chair: Barbara Pearson
Join the Health Care Committee and help combat the ongoing crisis in health care. The U.S. system suffers from spiraling prices, last place rankings in health outcomes, and deep inequalities across races, regions, and genders, yet significant reform is blocked, even in progressive Massachusetts. We have many approaches to choose from. The local committee contributes to education and advocacy activities at the state and regional level in conjunction with allied groups. We also participate in the LWVUS Health Care Reform Interest Group, a loose network of health care advocates from 30+ states. The network provides a broader perspective on issues and solutions in the varying circumstances where Leagues are located.
-
![]()
Connecticut River Re-Study
Chair: Elizabeth Davis
The Amherst League of Women Voters voted to conduct a re-study/update of our existing position entitled “Connecticut River Basin Inter-League Program.” The current position that was adopted in 1965 and 1966 does not reference climate change or the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Facility. See our e-bulletin for updates about this committee's work.
Judy Brooks Series
The Racial Justice Committee hosts an online conversation series named for Judy Brooks, long-time member of LWV Amherst and active citizen of the Town of Amherst. Originally this series was identified as part of LWVA's tradition of "brown bag lunches" (bring your own lunch!) to discuss matters of concern to the Amherst Community. It was renamed in April 2022.
Recent e-Bulletins
April 2025 LWVA e-Bull
March 2025 LWVA e-Bull
February 2025 LWVA e-Bull
January 2025 LWVA e-Bull
LWVA e-Bull Archive