LWV-Wake Update 6/22/2026 | 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. | This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For more than 106 of those years, the League of Women Voters has been Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.
We keep marching on.
Thank you for being a member or supporter of the League.
You are America! |  |
At our June 16th Annual Meeting, 45 members gathered together to celebrate the LWV-Wake accomplishments over the last year, share the election results for our Board, Nominating Committee, and next year's budget, hear from our guest speaker and enjoy a special recognition of long-time members. If you couldn't attend, or would like to review the information presented, minutes, photos and presentations are available in the Resources on our website - 2026 Annual Meeting: June 16 2026 (login required).
President Gaye Williams, presided and with assistance from Terry Bradley Dunn, honored Lifetime Members. Lifetime Members have actively served in the League of Women Voters (in any chapter) for 50+ years. LWV-Wake has 9 Lifetime members, 7 of whom were in attendance and receive certificates created by LWVUS for the recognition. LWV-Wake Lifetime members are: Vicki Gerig (president, 2002–2004; 2013–2014), Moira O’Connor, Eve Vitaglione (president, 1993–1994), Pat Butler, Patricia Watts, Kenille Baumgardner, Janice Patterson, Bonnie Medinger, and Deborah Swain.
Our keynote speaker was Hilary Harris Klein—Senior Counsel, Voting Rights, Southern Coalition for Social Justice. An LWV member in the Orange-Durham-Chatham (ODC) League, Hilary presented on the theme of “The League Always Shows Up.” She highlighted two legal cases in which the League played a key role, shaping voting rights in North Carolina and influencing decisions nationwide, where these cases continue to be cited. You can view the presentation in our Resources: The League Always Shows Up
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The League of Women Voter's Nationwide Day of Action has a renewed energy given the recent Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court decision's impact 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. Nationwide, local Leagues will make 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!
|  | Women's Equality Day Event - August 26th
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 open—we hope you’ll join us for this inspiring celebration!
| League Leadership shows up to make our voice heard. Sandra Birckhead, Treasurer and Member of our Board of Directors, recently spoke on behalf of LWV- Wake County at the June 12th Wake County Board of Elections. Sandra represented our League's support for the retention of Early Voting sites at NC State's Talley Student Union and on Wake Tech campuses. You can review the comments in our League Resources (no login required). | Last week Jennifer Rubin, president of the League of Women Voters of North Carolina spoke at a press conference at the NC General Assembly in opposition to HB 958.
NC House starts moving sweeping elections bill, plans to pass it this week despite opposition
The 37-page bill contains a slew of provisions including allowing any voter to challenge any other ballot and banning overseas voters who haven't ever lived in NC from voting in state elections. You can see more of the press coverage by clicking below.
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Action Alert: Public Comment is open for HB958
North Carolina election laws should encourage voter participation and ensure every eligible vote be counted. Instead, this bill moves in the opposite direction by expanding post-election voter challenges and creating new processes that subject voters to additional scrutiny. This bill creates an environment in which voters are presumed ineligible to vote until proven otherwise. Election laws should begin with the presumption that voters are acting lawfully and should help voters to participate in elections, not create new reasons to question their eligibility after the fact. We encourage you to make comments and contact your state representatives and senators. Read more on LWVNC's website here.
Action Alert: Public Comment Period Open until July 14, 2026 on Proposed NC Photo ID Rule Changes
The League of Women Voters of North Carolina is encouraging North Carolinians to submit public comments regarding proposed rule changes from the North Carolina State Board of Elections that could make it easier to reject an absentee voter's ballot. Please take five minutes to submit a public comment. You can read more about the League's position on this issue on the LWVNC website (no login required).
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NC Center for Nonprofits benefits available to all LWV-Wake Members. By virtue of your membership in the League of Women Voters of North Carolina, every member of a local League across the state has access to membership benefits from the NC Center for Nonprofits. Access those benefits using instructions provided in our Resources.
| 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. | |