LWV-Wake Update 8/17/2026 | 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 be added to our mailing list, become a member, or are interested in learning more, just click here. |  | Don't miss our Women's Equality Day Event - August 26th
REGISTER. VOLUNTEER. SPONSOR. BRING A FRIEND.
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. This will be a memorable event for attending Members, Supporters, and Honorees.
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!
Sponsor this Event.
This Women's Equality Day (WED) event is our League's major fundraiser of the year. The funds we raise help pay for voter engagement materials, office space rent, and tools we use for civic engagement. We hope you will support us by attending. You can purchase tickets and sponsor the event through the registration link. 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.
Volunteers Needed for the Day of the Event!
We are looking for volunteers to help us on the day of the Women's Equality Day event. If you will attend and can help check-in guests or serve refreshments for 30 minutes that evening, please take a look at the volunteering opportunities and sign up for a shift.
If you have any questions about Women's Equality Day, please contact Robin Hammond.
|  | On Saturday, August 8, LWV-Wake County volunteers joined forces with other Leagues across the United States to Unite & Rise for Voting Rights. In recognition of the 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, more than 30 members and supporters met on the patio of our League office, then fanned out across Wake County providing election information to the public. We focused our efforts in areas with low voter turnout in the last mid-term election. We helped voters register and provided information about early voting. Sporting our new branded t-shirts, just by our presence we reminded people of the importance of voting. Many thanks to Voter Services Chair, Terry Bradley Dunn for organizing the event and the many volunteers who showed up for democracy in Wake County!
READ LWV release on Unite and Rise for Voting Rights. |  | Democracy works when people participate. Whether you're thanking an election worker, serving as a poll worker yourself, or helping voters access information, each of us has a role to play.
Be an Election Hero! Voters need smart, nonpartisan, dedicated people to work the polls. This is a great way to help fulfill our mission to ensure every eligible voter has a chance for their voice to be heard. (And you can earn a little cash.) Wake County is taking applications now for election officials - please consider applying!
|  | | VOTE411 Needs You! Vote411 is up and running all year long. As we approach elections, the team prepares to launch the online "Voter Guide" for our local elections.
Candidate Follow-up. Volunteers are needed to make the VOTE411 voter guide as effective as possible for the upcoming, very important, mid-term general election. Wake County has about 50 races and 100+ candidates to reach who will appear on ballots across our area. This is volunteer work you can do from home. Most candidate reminders are via text.
Distribute Signs. Signs will go out just before Early Voting begins, Oct. 15 and will be returned by Nov. 5. Please pencil in a time or two on your calendar when you can help.
Both of these opportunities will be available soon on our website for you to sign-up to volunteer.
Early voting runs October 15–31, and Election Day is November 3. Visit the League of Women Voters vote411.org website for trusted, nonpartisan resources.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Communications Team Meeting.
The Communications Team meets monthly to move forward all communication needs for LWV-Wake.
If you have an interest in communications, join us to explore being part of this growing team.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM (Zoom) Voter Services Committee Meeting
Every month the Voter Services team meets to discuss topics relevant to the current election cycle. To help ensure as many people as possible can participate, we hold these meetings primarily via Zoom.
Thursday, August 27, 2026, 4:30 PM until 5:30 PM Environment Committee Monthly Meeting.
The Environment Committee focuses on environmental issues impacting Wake County. Committee members explore issues related to water quality, sustainability, transit, and open space.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM League Leaders Roundtable (Zoom).
Committee chairs/co-chairs and Board members come together to share updates and ideas across all committees.
|  | The North Carolina General Assembly officially gaveled out on August 5. Between now and the November election, only three two-day sessions are scheduled, leaving much of the remaining legislative work for a lame-duck session in November and December. WUNC reports that lawmakers could take up new legislation during that period, as well as votes to override gubernatorial vetoes.
One bill we will be watching closely is HB 958 Election Law Changes. Governor Josh Stein has indicated that he will veto the bill today, setting up a potential veto override vote when lawmakers return after the election.
READ BILL
We will also be watching HB 377 2026 Court Changes, which significantly expands the authority of the North Carolina Supreme Court and Chief Justice in the judicial disciplinary process.
READ BILL
LWVNC issued an Action Alert urging members to ask Governor Stein to veto HB 377 and their state legislators to sustain his veto.
ACTION ALERT
While legislative activity may slow in the coming months, the work is not over. We will continue to monitor the NCGA and keep members informed when action is needed.
Want to help track legislative or government activity? Contact Gaye Williams.
| LWVUS released a stastement on the role of non-partisan observers in the election process.
By volunteering as an observer, you can make a difference by creating a public record of how votes are counted, leading to increased trust in election outcomes.
| Federal Court Blocks US Postal Service from Implementing Executive Order Restricting Mail Voting.
In granting preliminary injunction, court finds that President Trump’s 2026 executive order is likely unconstitutional and likely to disenfranchise voters in upcoming elections.
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What is the Voter ID Act?
This resource explains the proposed federal Voter ID Act, the League’s position, how it could affect elections and voters, and how it compares with the SAVE Act and SAVE America Act.
Although the U.S. Senate did not take up the bill before adjourning on August 8, we remain concerned that this or similar legislation could return. The League will continue to oppose proposals that create unnecessary barriers to voting and make it more difficult for eligible voters to cast a ballot.
| Help us get the word out! Follow, like us and share on our social channels. LWV-Wake Members can stay connected with our members-only Facebook page, "LWV-Wake Members Group." | 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. | |