LWV-Wake Update 5/11/2026 | Welcome back to your exclusive, bi-weekly newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Wake County. If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to become a member, or are interested in learning more, just click here. |  |  | |
The League appreciates the leadership of our Wake County congresswomen, Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee, in opposing the SAVE Act, legislation that would create significant new barriers to voter registration for eligible Americans.
Earlier this year, both Representatives Ross and Foushee voted against the SAVE Act when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. This legislation creates barriers for many eligible voters, particularly women whose legal names no longer match their birth certificates, rural voters, seniors, and others who may face challenges obtaining required documentation. Although this measure has not advanced in the Senate, it remains a legislative threat and could return for consideration at any time. The League remains deeply concerned about proposals that restrict access to voter registration and participation for eligible voters. We will continue to advocate for policies that protect and expand access to the ballot.
|  | | We have two positions available on our Leadership Team to help advance our mission. Take a minute to review the positions and reach out if you are interested in learning more.
We have a great Leadership Team in place and are looking forward to getting some more members involved.
If you are interested, or if you have someone to recommend contact us at:
| Have you updated your League account profile recently? Take a minute to check and make sure we have all the right information.
- Login to the LWVUS member portal
- Click on the Profile button
- Click "Edit Profile" in the upper right side of the screen
- Update your information.
- Please be sure to review and update your "Earliest Join Date" to reflect when you first joined any League across the country.
- Click the Save button.
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Registration is now open for the 2026 LWV-Wake Annual Membership Meeting!
All members are encouraged to attend. Join other members and guests for our annual membership meeting. Thanks to generous donors, we've been able to reduce the cost for this year's event to only $30. We hope you'll join us to socialize with fellow League members, give input to the Board on priorities for the coming year, and hear from our special guest speaker, Hilary Harris Klein, Senior Counsel, Voting Rights Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Click here to register or find the calendar event on June 16, 2026!
Registration deadline for the meeting is noon on June 11, 2026.
Whether or not you can attend the Annual Meeting, be sure to cast your ballot no later than June 16 at 10 AM for the Board of Directors and 2026-27 budget. Find the information in an email of May 8, 2026, or on the Annual Meeting calendar event All ballots must be submitted electronically.
|  | Meet and Chat: Howling Cow Creamery Social - Join League members for delicious ice cream and stimulating conversation on the porch of Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery (100 Dairy Lane, Raleigh) - Wednesday, May 20, 3 PM to 5 PM. This is south-east Raleigh, near Historic Yates Mill Park. There is lots of parking. Learn what the various LWV-Wake committees are doing, and how you can get involved. Bring a friend or make some new ones.
There are pints of ice cream for sale, so you can take home the flavors you didn’t get to try. Payment is credit card only, they do not accept cash! No sign-up is needed, but if you register, you’ll receive text reminders.
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LWV Nationwide Day of Action.
This annual event has a renewed energy given the recent Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act. On August 8, 2026, Leagues across the country will execute a local Day of Action in honor of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Every local League is encouraged to participate, making our contribution to the Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign goal of activating 8.5 million voters before November.
LWV-Wake will conduct a Voter Registration drive in low turn-out neighborhoods. Sign-up now if you're interested, no commitment required right now. Help our League make this happen!
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SAVE THE DATE
LWV-Wake Women's Equality Day Fundraising Event - August 26. Registration opens May 25th. This is a signature event for us and always a rewarding and fun evening with local areas leaders and members.
National Voter Registration Day - Sept 15. Contact Kathy Thompson for more information.
Election Hero Day - October 20. More details to come. |  | Please mark your calendar and join us on May 29 at 12:30, via ZOOM, for a special presentation hosted by the Affordable Housing Committee featuring staff and leaders from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro based nonprofit PeeWee Homes.
Presenters will share insights and information that will be valuable to our members. We encourage everyone to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about what this organization is doing to address Affordable Housing.
More Upcoming Committee Member meetings:
- Civics Education Committee Meeting - May 11 (Virtual, on Zoom)
- Women's Rights & Healthcare Committee Meeting - May 12 (Virtual, on Zoom)
- Timely Topics Planning Meeting for next year’s programs – June 3 (in person)
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Join Us for a potluck brunch! The Membership Committee is hosting a potluck brunch in Wake Forest on Saturday, May 30th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take advantage of this chance to get acquainted in a member's home with stimulating conversation and good food. Any member may attend. It's a great way to connect and learn what has drawn others to join, especially if you're new. We keep these events small - just the number that fit around the host's table. If you are interested, please register today! Here's how it works: The host provides an entree; those attending bring an item to share. After you sign up, host Celeste Stanley will send you an email with the address, parking info, the entree they're providing, and suggestions for what you might bring. There is still room for you!
REGISTER
|  | Women's Equality Day Event - August 26th REGISTER SOON
Join us for this special annual event as we celebrate and recognize the leadership, service, and impact of all women elected officials serving Wake County. This year’s theme, “Women Lead the Way,” highlights the vital role women play in guiding our communities forward and shaping a stronger future for all.
Women’s Equality Day also commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which secured women’s right to vote—a milestone that continues to inspire civic engagement and leadership today.
More details will be shared soon. Registration is not yet open, so please mark your calendar—we hope you’ll join us for this inspiring celebration!
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LWV-WAKE spends the day at the General Assembly.
Fifteen members of our League joined fellow League members from across the state to speak with our state legislators about voting issues we are committed to during the annual Advocacy Day in Raleigh.
Photo above: Nancy D., Rosemarie W., Celeste S., and (now former) NC State Senator Terence Everitt
Pictured below: League members at work on Advocacy Day at the General Assembly. Pictured (L to R): Nancy S., Jean L., Gaye W., Mary Jane S., Cheryl T.
|  | Protecting Access to Voter Registration
The League of Women Voters of North Carolina recently joined 29 nonpartisan civic and voting rights organizations in urging the State Board of Elections to restore printed voter registration forms for community-based registration drives. Organizations, including LWV, helped to generate more than 217,000 voter registrations in North Carolina in 2024 alone, and are especially important for reaching rural voters, students, seniors, and others with limited internet or DMV access. You can read the letter here. |
Come with us to Columbus or join remotely online for the LWV 57th Biennial National Convention! Registration deadline is May 22nd!
Representatives from LWV-Wake will attend the Convention and all members are welcome and encouraged to attend. This event brings together members to set the organization's agenda for the next 2 years, elect leaders, and focus on defending democracy.
If a trip to Columbus doesn't work for you, you can attend all of the plenary sessions virtually for a much reduced rate ($150). We have budgeted funds to help offset the cost for a limited number of members to attend either in person or virtually. Contact Sandra Birckhead, treasurer and Gaye Williams, president if you plan to attend.
| The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. | |