Advocacy Committee

  Advocacy Committee 

Chair Tiffany M deSousa

Welcome to the Advocacy Committee

Thank you for your interest in joining the Advocacy Committee of the League of Women Voters of Ocean County. Our mission is to empower voters and defend democracy through education, engagement, and advocacy on critical legislative issues affecting our community, state, and nation. By participating in this action committee, you are taking a meaningful step toward making a difference in our local and broader civic life.

We welcome advocates of all backgrounds and experience levels who are committed to our nonpartisan mission and the promotion of informed and active participation in government.

About the Advocacy Committee

The Advocacy Committee is dedicated to monitoring legislative developments, organizing advocacy campaigns, educating the public about policy issues, and mobilizing community action. Whether you are new to advocacy or bring years of experience, your passion and engagement will help shape the future of Ocean County and beyond.

Thie Advocacy Committee meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 4 to 6pm at Toms River Artists Community (TRAC) located at 40 Main Street in Toms River, NJ 08753. We look forward to working with you to strengthen our democracy and make a lasting impact!

Areas of Focus

🌿 Environmental Advocacy

Focuses on protecting natural resources, promoting sustainable policies, and influencing legislation around:

  • Clean water, air quality, and land use
  • Climate change mitigation and energy regulation
  • Waste management and environmental justice
    • Focuses on bills or local issues regarding utility regulation, accountability, safe and clean watersheds, lands, and communities.

🗳️ Voter Rights Advocacy   

Dedicated to defending and expanding access to the ballot through:

  • Litigation against voter suppression laws
  • Grassroots education and registration drives
  • Support for pro-voter legislation and fair redistricting
  • Advancing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
    • Promotes advancement of John Lewis Voting Rights Act and similar voting access intitiatives. 

🏘️ Housing Advocacy

Works to ensure fair, affordable, and accessible housing by:

  • Monitoring housing trust boards and zoning reforms
  • Advocating for inclusive housing elements in municipal plans
  • Supporting legislation that addresses homelessness and housing equity
    • Engages in local planning processes, community preservation, shelter and service promotion, and other housing issues.

🏛️ Trenton Testifying Witness Advocacy

Empowers members to testify before state legislative committees in Trenton:

  • Prepares written/oral testimony on bills impacting LWV priorities
  • Coordinates with LWV lobby corps for unified messaging
  • Trains advocates on committee procedures and witness forms
    • Builds visibility and credibility in state-level policymaking

🎗 Other Local Advocacy

Covers a wide range of community-specific issues, often driven by local League consensus:

  • Education, transportation, public health, and local governance
  • Magisterial district reform, intergovernmental cooperation, and tax equity
  • Library systems, firearms safety, and early childhood services
    • Allows Leagues to respond nimbly to emerging local needs.

 

Volunteer Opportunities to attend local community Town Council and County Commissioner's meetings as an observer. LWV Members can report any local issues with official LWV positions. LWV OC can then decide if they need to promote or object to specific oridinances or intitiatives.

 

Ocean County LWV Members advocated for the Immigration Trust Act