Start a Chapter - Become an Affiliate
LOHV Chapters and Affiliates recognize that animal protection requires laws and enforcement of those laws. Animal exploitation is a political issue, not just a moral one, and LOHV aims to make animal protection a mainstream political issue by building support among citizens, activists, political parties, candidates, and elected representatives.
LOHV Chapters are independently operating entities. Unlike many animal protection organizations, which are established as 501{c}{3} with the IRS, contributions to LOHV are not tax-deductible due to our efforts to influence the political process.
LOHV Chapters and Affiliates are establishing its political influence first by developing grassroots movements at the state and local levels.
LOHV Chapters and Affiliates are non-partisan and have endorsed candidates running on the Republican, Democratic, Green, and Independent platforms, among others. We endorse candidates strictly based on their expressed commitment to working with us on passing legislation to protect animals and on the strength of their electoral campaigns.
CAN YOU START YOUR OWN LOHV® CHAPTER?
YES! It is not difficult, and even a small group of concerned citizens can make it happen. We provide, to new and prospective chapters, help to get you started – but for now, here are a few of the basics.
Â
Forming a Local Organization for Humane Voting (LOHV) chapter offers advantages over creating an independent PAC:
Â
- Easier tax filing as a 501(c)(4) under the National Chapter;
- Autonomy in electioneering and lobbying decisions;
- Access to a national network supporting animal protection legislation;
- Provision of operational resources like a manual and website template.
- Chapters handle state-specific paperwork and fundraising independently;
- Participate in national decision-making.
- Benefiting mutually from the established, adaptable system.
three branches of Government
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
four levels of government
Federal
STATE
COUNTY
MUNICIPAL
These branches and levels combine into a matrix of twelve distinct governmental jurisdictions which we seek to influence. The chart below does not show the only possible configuration – but it is a fairly common one. The green areas are segments where new LOHV chapters can be effective immediately:
| EXECUTIVE | President | Governor | County Executives | Mayor |
| LEGISLATIVE |
Congress (Senate & House) |
State Legislature (State Senate, State House) |
County Officials | City Council, Board of Supervisors |
| JUDICIAL* | Federal Courts | State Courts | County Courts | Municipal Courts |
*Not all states elect, so if yours does not, this may not be an area the LOHV can impact in your state
To enact laws . . .
We, too, have formed a 501(c)(4) and a Political Action Committee. LOHV does two things to influence office holders:
Electioneering
LOHV actively participates in election campaigns to sway public opinion in favor of a candidate.
Lobbying
Lobbying involves communicating with officeholders, such as members of a legislative body, to educate and influence them to introduce, champion, and ultimately enact animal-friendly laws.
WHAT IS LOHV
(the league of humane voters®)?
LOHV differs from a 501(c) (3) organization in that we focus on building voter support for candidates who publicly commit to animal protection legislation and demonstrate that commitment.
Furthermore, LOHV can engage in lobbying and electioneering.
LOHV helps Chapters by allowing them to become 501(c)(4) organizations under the National Chapter.
Each chapter is free to focus on goals pertinent to its region, ranging from companion animal issues to animals in entertainment, to farm animals, and to issues such as canned hunting or lethal wildlife management methods.