LWV-Wake Update 7/20/2026 | 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. |  |  |
On August 8, the League of Women Voters will activate nationwide in honor of the 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as we Unite and Rise for Voting Rights and demonstrate the power of communities working together to shape our future.
Voter turnout is key to a healthy democracy. We know midyear elections historically have low turnout and we’re leaning into that challenge. Join the many folks, members and non-members, who are already signed up for this important event where we’ll be out in the community together encouraging registration and turnout!
We’re on mobilize! Our local event is now available on the easily accessible mobilize app!
SIGN-UP AND SHARE WITH A FRIEND!
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 and we will be active in Wake County. The Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign goal is to activate 8.5 million voters before November.
|  | Women's Equality Day (WED) is our major fundraising event of the year, and we hope all members will support us by attending, purchasing a sponsorship and when possible sharing this opportunity with businesses to sponsor this event. You can purchase tickets and sponsor the event through the registration link. Please email Gaye Williams if you would like to donate your tickets or if you have business connections for sponsorship. | At our annual Board meeting we announced your newly elected Board. Pictured left to right: Liz Simon, Suzanne Botts, Kristen Howard, Gaye Williams, Sandra Birckhead, Robin Hammond, Martha Svoboda, Terry Bradley Dunn. Get to know more about our Board of Directors HERE |  | July is Vote Ready Month—a great time to prepare for the November election. Verify your voter registration, confirm your polling location, and mark your calendar: early voting runs October 15–31, and Election Day is November 3. Stay informed about candidates, ballot issues, and your voting rights, including provisional ballot options if needed. Once you’re ready, help others prepare as well. Visit the League of Women Voters vote411.org website for trusted, nonpartisan resources.
Wake County Board of Elections approves early voting sites, dates, and retains Sunday voting. Several individuals and representatives of organizations, including LWV-Wake, spoke at the board meeting and advocated for modifications to the proposed sites. Specifically, LWV-Wake advocated for keeping the Talley Student Union as a site. However, the board selected a more remote campus location, which will make it more difficult for students to vote. Although we were not fully satisfied with the outcome, the Wake Board of Election site selection vote was unanimous, meaning it is not subject to change by the state board and is now available to the public. Eighteen sites and Sunday voting options were preserved in Wake County.
Resources:
Early voting schedule: Early voting flyer for Wake County
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Join a July Committee Meeting
Tuesday, July 21, 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM (Zoom): Voter Services Meeting. Calling ALL members to attend. This month is a don’t miss meeting where we’ll discuss our pending Unite & Rise event on August 8th! Be sure to register so that you’ll receive the Zoom info. Every month, we discuss relevant topics including changes to local, state, and national legal and regulatory frameworks, NC and Wake County Board of Elections developments, volunteer work completed, and opportunities for impact in our community.
To help ensure as many people as possible can participate, we hold these meetings via Zoom.
Thursday, July 23, 4:30 PM until 5:30 PM (Zoom): Environment Committee Monthly Meeting. We focus on environmental issues impacting Wake County. Committee members explore issues related to water quality, sustainability, transit, and open space.
Register
Friday, July 24, 2026, 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM (Zoom): Affordable Housing Committee Meeting. We will be discussing the book Just Action by Richard Rothstein and Leah Rothstein. We will also discuss Liz's idea of bringing one or both Rothsteins to Raleigh to talk about the book and how to apply its ideas in Wake County. Attendees will receive the Zoom link upon registration. All are welcome!
|  | | On Friday, July 24th, 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM: Committee Chairs, Co-Chairs, and the Board will gather for the League Leaders Roundtable. This is our first meeting of the new League year where we’ll focus on goals of our League and support of state and national priorities. All League Leaders are encouraged to register and attend. The July meeting will be in person at the League office.
|  | 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 invited honorees — 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.
Our guest speaker will be Angela Thorpe Mason, Executive Director of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. The RSVPs are coming in from Honorees and this is shaping up to be a meaningful event for all.
Women’s Equality Day also commemorates the adoption of the 19th Amendment, a milestone that continues to inspire civic engagement and leadership today.
We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring celebration! Please also consider purchasing a sponsorship in support of our primary fundraising event of the year.
Sponsor this event.
This event is our major fundraising event of the year, and we hope all members will support us by attending and purchasing a sponsorship.
If you cannot attend, please consider purchasing a sponsorship and donating your tickets. Please email Gaye Williams if you would like to donate your tickets.
WED Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help us with our Women's Equality Day event. Please take a look at the opportunities and sign up to help.
If you have any questions about Women's Equality Day, please contact Robin Hammond.
| The North Carolina Legislature has already been busy this summer. LWVNC has provided an update with highlights. Please note that HB 958, the omnibus Elections bill has passed the NC House but has not yet been taken up by the Senate. The Senate will resume session in late July and we’ll be tracking their decisions carefully. Stay informed and understand the important issues that are under discussion, read the detailed update HERE.
Want to help track legislative or government activity? Contact Gaye Williams.
| | On July 16th The League of Women Voters issued a formal statement Strongly Denouncing President Trump’s False Claims About Election Security in National his Address.
| The League has been busy supporting activity on current bills and actions to protect voters rights and defend democracy. To see an overview of the activity you can visit the newsroom on the national LWV website.
| 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. | |