| Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
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Learn about the LWVUS national convention and their new focus on “Defending Democracy Under Siege.” In addition, read about what the 50+ Election Advocates learned at the training by King County Elections.
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What happened at LWVUS Convention?
The LWVUS Convention was held in Columbus, Ohio June 25 -28. League members from across the country gathered to learn, deliberate, and chart the organization’s direction for the coming biennium. The experience reinforced both the urgency of our mission and the strength of our nationwide network. Following is a summary.
- Opening Plenary: Women-Led Leadership in Democracy The Convention opened with the “Rooted in Care, Rising in Power” panel featuring leaders from the League of Women Voters of the US, YWCA USA, AAUW, and the National Council of Jewish Women. The discussion highlighted the essential role of women-led organizations in strengthening democracy through community-based leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement.
- Movement Building Through Relationships A strong theme throughout the Convention was movement building through relationships and trust. Sessions emphasized that effective civic engagement depends not only on information, but on storytelling, trust-building, and empowering individuals to take action. Frameworks such as the Ganz organizing model and Brené Brown’s BRAVING trust framework provided practical tools for strengthening leadership, collaboration, and organizational culture.
- Conflict, Communication, and Leadership A particularly impactful session on conflict and de-escalation reminded attendees that “silence is expensive” and that conflict, when handled well, can be a source of innovation. Participants were encouraged to: Pause, regulate, and respond; Move from blame to clarity and forward action; and use conflict as an opportunity for growth and understanding.
- Plenary Action: National Program Adopted Delegates adopted a new national program, “Defending Democracy Under Siege,” focused on:
- Voting Rights: Ensuring that every eligible voter has equitable access to register, vote, and have their ballot counted fairly and accurately.
- Protecting Elections: Protecting and empowering voters to ensure that our elections are fair, accessible, and representative of all Americans.
- Redistricting: Ensuring fair and equitable representation for all residents through transparent and accountable redistricting processes and protection of the US Census.
- Immigration: Advocating for a fair immigration process and a path to citizenship. Standing up for immigrant communities to ensure they receive fair treatment under the law and encouraging new citizens' participation in our democracy.
- Individual Rights: Protecting and defending the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and preventing attacks that undermine those fundamental freedoms.
- The Presidency: Working to guarantee that presidential power is exercised within the constitutional framework of a dynamic balance between the three branches of government (checks and balances). Supporting the Abolition of the Electoral College, including the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
- Additional plenary actions included bylaws updates strengthening governance, member conduct standards, and emergency board authority.
- Key Takeaways Across all sessions, one message was consistent: the League is growing its capacity to meet this moment in history. Investments in membership systems, communications, leadership development, and support for state and local Leagues reflect a strong commitment to expanding civic engagement and voter participation ahead of the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.
- Closing Reflection The Convention concluded with leadership transition and a renewed call to action from national leadership to engage our communities, strengthen voter participation, and ensure that democracy is actively protected and sustained at every level.
| Interested in Designing LWVSKC's Youth Scholarship Program?
The LWVSKC is looking to develop a Youth Scholarship program and needs you to help build it! This scholarship will provide financial support to individuals demonstrating a strong commitment to democratic values and civic participation. Because we are in the early, foundational stages, we are looking for enthusiastic committee members with diverse talents. Whether your interests or skills lie in program architecture, marketing, fundraising, or financial oversight, there is a place for you to make an impact. If you’re ready to help design and launch this meaningful program, please contact Chris Klotz at caksail@gmail.com to join the committee! | Can You Speak Spanish? And Help With Voter Outreach?
The LWVSKC is looking for some Spanish speaking members to help with voter outreach this summer/fall at various events. If you can speak Spanish - please let LWVSKC know at voterservices@lwvskc.org and they will be in touch with volunteer opportunities as they arise. Thank you! | Are You Interested? LWVWA Affinity Group on Data Centers in WA State
Interest is building in League membership to understand data centers, what they mean for electricity rates, natural resources, community environments, economics, and more. Therefore, a Data Center Affinity Group for members of the LWVWA is being formed. If interested contact Martin Gibbins mgibbins@lwvwa.org. | What's a Skeptics Picnic and How to Organize One
You and other League members or a Unit can organize a skeptics picnic over the summer. It's about voter outreach with folks we don't normally connect with. Watch this video here to find out more.
passcode: S6Y.iJit | See What LWVUS is Currently Working on
The League of Women Voters US hosts virtual office hours and other webinars where they share resources and information on what we are doing on a national level. You can view their entire calendar of virtual events at https://www.lwv.org/league-management/calendar, and here are some links that you can use to register for their immediately upcoming webinars:
| The Supreme Court’s Most Recent Term in Review
Presented by the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law, this provides an excellent overview of the major decisions in the past Supreme Court term. The recording is available here. | Honoring Unsung Women Trailblazers
Thursday, July 16, 7pm ($2 - $4 door donation), New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave South. A trio of short documentaries highlight the lives and organizing of Zitkála-Šá, Jovita Idar and Charlotta Spears Bass, three U.S. heroines and activists whose work had not received the attention it deserves. Through unconventional methods, these brave women of color pioneers pushed boundaries, persevered in expanding civil rights and paved the way for future generations. Open discussion follows the video clips. Light snacks and drinks available for donation starting at 6:30pm. For info: 206-722-6057 rw.seattle@radicalwomen.org | | | Documents That Forged a Nation at MOHAI
The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) is hosting an exhibit "Documents That Forged a Nation" in which the following documents will be available to view in August: an Original Engraving of the Declaration of Independence (1823), the Secret Printing of the Constitution in Draft Form (1787), the Treaty of Paris, and the Bill of Rights. For information and free timed-entry tickets go to MOHAI.
The exhibit runs from July 30 - August 16, 2026. | Classes On The State Legislative Process
Check out three classes: Understanding the Legislative Process, Navigating the Legislative Website, and Advanced Legislative Website Navigation here: classes-and-tutorials/live-classes/ or email support@leg.wa.gov for more information. | LWV Guidance For Events: Why we are joining demonstrations; safety tips for participation and being nonpartisan at events:
| Unite and Rise
Unite and Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to fight back against the anti-democratic actions of the current administration. The number 8.5 million is the estimated number of voters it would take to bring about change through nonviolent protest.
Now! Playbook 5, May - July 2026, Watch the recording of what you, your Unit, and all of LWVSKC can do here. Passcode is:
L.aI@Dd4
| | League Events and Activity | The North King County Unit of LWVSKC is sponsoring a public presentation, The Washington State Supreme Court and the Rule of Law, featuring King County Bar Association Vice President Ms. Cynthia B. Jones and Judge Johanna Bender from the King County Bar Association’s Civics Stewardship program as speakers. If you want to know more about what role the Washington State Supreme Court Justices play in our lives or what the rule of law even is, then join us this Wednesday July 15th, 6pm at Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park Town Center Mall at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.
|  | The League of Women Voters of Washington plans to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary with a statewide book club featuring live-streamed discussions with authors, titled "Conversations on Democracy: A Reading Initiative."
Join us for our first book club meeting with Heather Cox Richardson, as we discuss her book How the South Won the Civil War Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America. Find the promotional graphics HERE. This event is for members only (but you could invite a friend to join you)!
| LWV Health Care Reform Interest Group
Here is the link to the June 2026 newsletter of the LWV Health Care Reform Interest Group. | LWV DEI Foundations
Watch this LWVUS webinar on the foundations of DEI at the League here.
Passcode is: ?$y&2wSQ | Unit Meetings
Committee Meetings
LWVSKC Board Meeting, Saturday, July 18, 10 - 12:00 p.m.
All League members are welcome and encouraged to zoom in!
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 814 6602 6625
Passcode: 460139
| | Thank you to LWVSKC Volunteers who attended Election Advocate training at King County Elections. More than 50 LWVSKC members are now trained and available to their local units and community organizations to share information on:
- The election calendar
- Registration
- Ballot tracking
- The journey of a ballot
- Audits and quality control
- Physical and cybersecurity
- Rumors and misinformation
- Pushing back about fraud
- The results process
- How to take action
All of the slides presented by KCE can be viewed by clicking here. | | | League of Women Voters of Seattle King County
1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 801
Seattle, WA 98101
Email: info@lwvskc.org
Phone: (206) 329-4848
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