Grays River Grange #124

GRANGE -- Grassroots, Nonpartisan Advocacy

Due to the tumultuous times that led to the creation of the Grange in 1867, our by-laws dictate that our organization abstain from supporting candidates along the very lines that divided the country and led to the succession of the confederate states.  The divisions in our country created by this war, as well as union divisions, took years to heal and we strongly believe that national policy must be established through debate, but in collaboration and unity.

There are currently Granges operating in 37 states; representing more than 200,000 members throughout rural America. Grange Halls house pillars of rural communities, dedicated to preserving vibrant and competitive hometowns where their citizens have access to the same quality education, health care and technologies as their urban counterparts.

Our policies at the National Grange are born from the local and state Granges across the country. Legislative proposals, called resolutions, are brought forth by members and debated by State Granges. Those that pass at the state level are brought before the National Grange Convention and debated, with passing resolutions becoming National Grange Policy, available in our Journal of Proceedings and Legislative Policy Books. Policy at the National Grange is developed by membership and implemented by staff in a truly grassroots fashion.

The Grange is committed to an issue-based grassroots mechanism which allows us to support civic leaders based on policy rather than local politics. Although we do not support individual candidates, we strongly encourage our membership to engage in local politics and elections that can better the communities they serve. We open our Grange Halls for candidate debates, issue forums and other civic meetings and strongly believe that voting and participation in our governing systems is a civic responsibility.

Maine Public Television On Grange History

Grange & Initiative No. 1 - Public Utilities in 1930

The Grange News was one of the prominent voices urging passage of Initiative No. 1 in 1930. Voters passed I-1 creating the means for Public Utility Districts in Washington. This cartoon appeared on the eve of the election. (Click for larger image.)