LWV-Wake Update 11/24/2025 | 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. |  | Dear ~~first_name~~
Please support Democracy this Giving Tuesday (December 2) by donating to LWV Wake.
Giving Tuesday is almost here — a global day to give back to the causes you care about most. We hope you’ll consider supporting the League of Women Voters of Wake County, your local, boots-on-the-ground advocates for democracy.
From hosting candidate forums to registering new voters and answering election questions, our volunteers are out in the community year-round making sure every eligible voter has the information they need.
Your donations keep this work going — funding voter education, community programs, and tools like VOTE411.org.
All donations through Tuesday, December 2nd will be considered Giving Tuesday donations. You can give early, and you can give more than once through our website.
DONATE NOW Giving Tuesday 2025
We are a volunteer-driven organization requiring time, energy, and financial support from all of us—and every contribution makes a difference. As you plan your year-end giving, we hope you’ll include LWV-Wake on your list.
Help us keep democracy thriving in Wake County!
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are sending in a donation please update your online record with our new address.
LWV of Wake County
1001 Wade Avenue Suite 025
Raleigh, NC USA 27605
| November 18: The League of Women Voters of Wake County joined the League of Women Voters of the United States, the League of Women Voters of North Carolina, and the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg to stand with community leaders calling for due process, transparency, and the safety of all residents. We urge that any protests or demonstrations in response to these actions remain peaceful and orderly.”
The following resources are available to residents during this time:
Resources for Residents
The League will continue to monitor developments closely and will advocate for transparency, fairness, and the protection of constitutional rights across our state.
Thank you for your steadfast commitment to our mission during times when it matters most.
Jennifer McMillan Rubin
President
League of Women Voters of North Carolina
| November 18th: Today, LWV and five state and local Leagues filed a lawsuit against the federal government because of anti-voter actions.
We’re suing the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the US Department of Homeland Security, and other federal officials for enacting — without following the required process — a new rule that bars nonpartisan civic engagement groups from providing voter registration and civic engagement at administrative naturalization ceremonies.
“Purposely excluding groups like the League from administrative naturalization ceremonies is a deliberate move by this administration to exclude new citizens from the democratic process and attack the League’s very mission to register and support new voters,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of LWV.
The newly enacted rule violates the First Amendment rights of the League and other civic groups. Also, it fails to adhere to provisions that require federal agencies to follow transparent procedures when adopting new policies.
Read our press release to learn more.
Thank you for standing with us in the fight to empower voters and defend democracy.
In League,
Team LWV
League of Women Voters of the US
| | November is National American Indian Heritage Month
This month is a time to celebrate the history, culture, traditions, and to recognize the contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
The month was officially designated in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, building on earlier observances like "American Indian Week" proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.
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Help the Community Use VOTE411 All Year Long
Empowering Wake County voters doesn’t just happen in election season.
Most LWV-Wake members know VOTE411.org as the place to compare candidates and view their personalized ballot. Still, many don’t realize it’s a year-round voter-education resource—and one of the easiest tools our members can promote throughout the community.
As League members, we play a critical role in helping voters find trusted, nonpartisan information. Here are simple ways to talk about VOTE411 and help neighbors use it well before ballots are cast.
Even in non-election months, VOTE411 offers essential tools that keep voters informed. Encourage the public to use VOTE411 to:
✔ Register to Vote
VOTE411 links directly to North Carolina’s online voter registration system and provides step-by-step guidance for first-time voters and anyone updating their information.
✔ Check Voter Registration Status
Many voters don’t realize they can verify their registration at any time. Sending them to VOTE411 helps prevent issues at the polls.
✔ Learn North Carolina Election Rules
VOTE411 explains ID requirements, early voting, absentee ballots, deadlines, and provisional voting—all updated as laws change.
✔ Explore Voting Options
VOTE411 outlines absentee ballot procedures, early voting locations, accessibility options, and same-day registration during early voting.
This info helps ensure voters’ ballots are counted and that voters are less reliant on provisional voting.
How LWV-Wake Members Can Promote VOTE411
✔ Mention It at Every Event
Whether presenting, tabling, or hosting a forum, include VOTE411 in your conversations.
Sample message:
“Have you used VOTE411.org? It’s a free, nonpartisan tool where you can register to vote, check deadlines, learn about voting options, and prepare for elections. It’s helpful all year—not just in November.”
✔ Add It to Your Email Signature
A quiet but effective way to increase awareness.
Example: Find your voter info anytime at VOTE411.org.
✔ Encourage People to Check It at Least Twice a Year
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Early in the year, to verify registration and understand rule changes.
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As elections approach, to review candidates and ballots.
When voters know where to find accurate information, they participate more confidently and consistently. By promoting VOTE411 year-round, LWV-Wake members reduce misinformation, strengthen voter readiness, and support the League’s mission of empowering voters.
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Don’t miss Suffs the Musical – Join Our Group Trip to Charlotte!
Celebrate the women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote! Suffs, the brilliant, funny, and inspiring musical, is coming to Charlotte March 10–15. A few members already have tickets for the March 15 matinee at 1:00 PM, and we’d love for you to join us on a fun group outing.
Here’s the plan:
6:42 AM: Depart Cary on Amtrak Piedmont 71 train
9:28 AM: Arrive in Charlotte Amtrak station and take an Uber to Halfpenny’s
Café.
~10:00 AM: Breakfast at Halfpenny’s Café
~11:15 AM/11:30 AM: Short walk to Belk Theater (5–7 min)
1:00 PM: Suffs begins (2h 30m, includes 15-min intermission)
~3:30 PM: Uber back to Amtrak
4:00 PM: Depart Charlotte on Amtrak Piedmont 76 train
7:00 PM: Arrive back in Cary
Tickets & Discounts:
Everyone buys their own roundtrip Amtrak ticket.
Group discounts may be available depending on the number of participants.
Limited discount musical tickets are available for groups of 10+ – if you need one, let us know ASAP to coordinate with other members.
RSVP to Celeste Stanley by December 15 to help us finalize arrangements.
Join us for a day of fun, food, and history brought to life on stage – we can’t wait to see you there!
|  | | We held our latest Timely Topics on November 13th with Kyle Brazile and Byron Laws from the NC Counts Coalition and LWV-WAKE President Gaye Williams. When possible we record and share the video of our Timely Topic events. You can watch and subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the recorded events. Check back to see the video for the November 13th video.
|  | | As a member or friend of the League of Women Voters, you've already shown your commitment to educating and empowering voters, thank you. If you are looking for a way to be even more involved, you are organized, and enjoy interacting with the public, we have meaningful work that might be a good fit for you! LWV-Wake has a tremendous voter services team who are active and willing to sign up and show out to activate citizens to register and vote. Due to some recent changes in leadership availability, we are in need of a couple of people to serve as Voter Services leaders who can organize and lead the work of existing teams. If the idea of informing, registering, and inspiring voters across our area sounds appealing to you, consider this opportunity to make a real difference working alongside others who share your commitment to democracy. Interested? Please contact LWV-Wake president, Gaye Williams, to discuss further. |  | | Our committees are open to all members and work across several key areas. Attending a meeting is a great way to see if you are interested in getting involved.
Volunteering with LWVWake can be scaled to fit the time you have to commit to help us meet our mission. If you have an hour a week, we will help you find an impactful way to be involved. If you have more time, great. Give a committee a try or attend an event and see what you think. We will not over commit you and we will work with you to find the right way for you to engage. |  | | Help is needed to maximize VOTE411 in the midterms. This is a great way to support our mission.
The primary is March 3. Early Voting starts Feb. 12. There will be 12 Early Voting sites in Wake County.
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We need ONE more person on the VOTE 411 Admin team -- you can work entirely from home. Between January 15 and Feb. 1, you'll send invitations and reminders to candidates from the Vote411 software program and communicate regularly with volunteers who are making followup contacts with candidates.
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5 -7 volunteers are needed who will make followup contacts (primarily by sending texts) with candidates to encourage their participation in VOTE411. The critical time for this group is Jan. 15 - Feb. 1.
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12 volunteers are needed to put out signs for VOTE411 -- you are especially needed if you live in or close to Fuquay Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Wake Forest, or Wendell. We reached directly into these cities/towns during the recent municipal elections and want to remain visible there! Signs will need to go out around Feb. 8 - 10 and will need to be monitored as much as possible during the election time -- and collected immediately after the election, by March 4.
If you are interested in playing a part in this very impactful project -- We need you! -- email Sandy Hutchinson
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The Women's Rights & Healthcare Committee Social. Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM
We work on a range of issues impacting women's rights and healthcare including, but not limited to discrimination against women in voting, reproductive choice, access to health insurance, the Equal Rights Amendment, child care, employment opportunity equality, and disparities in healthcare. Committee members follow North Carolina legislation to determine where improvements can be made and where new laws are needed.
La Farm Bakery at Preston Corners
4248 NW Cary Parkway
Cary, NC 27513
| | Governor Josh Stein used his executive authority to call a special session of the NC General Assembly for November 17th and urged both the NC Senate and the NC House to pass a clean Medicaid funding bill to reverse the provider reimbursement cuts that are hurting people who rely on Medicaid.
Please take action now by calling your NC Senator and NC Representative and ask them to fully fund Medicaid.
|  | | Join the Affordable Housing Committee for our upcoming book and film discussion. When you register for the January meeting, you will automatically be added to the Book Discussion Group list. Before we meet in January, please take the opportunity to watch the short film and read the book.
Book and Film Discussion Series
Watch: Segregated by Design (17-min film by Richard Rothstein) — available at Zinn Education Project
Read: The Color of law by Richard Rothstein.
Reading assignments are spread across November, December, and January, with a group discussion scheduled for the January 23rd committee meeting.
Volunteers Needed
And, we’re still seeking members to report on housing initiatives in their municipalities (e.g. Wake Forest, Wendell, Fuquay-Varina, Zebulon, etc.). This helps us build a countywide view of local affordable housing progress and challenges.
Interested? Email Liz Simon Bryant to be assigned a municipality or sign up on the Affordable Housing Advocate for Wake County page on our site.
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To renew your membership visit the Join page on our website and click "Join and Renew" to access the renewal portal on LWV.org. If you'd like to make an additional contribution to LWV-Wake, there is an opportunity to do so in the renewal process. Please note that your credit card will only be retained in the lwv.org system if you sign up for automatic renewals. If you are mailing in a donation please note our new address: LWV Wake 1001 Wade Avenue, Suite 025, Raleigh, NC, 27605 Thank you for your support!
Join, Renew, Invite friends to join.
| PARTNERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS | Join ProChoiceNC.org, one of our partner organizations, for their Final Quarterly Update of the Year—The Anti-Abortion Center Edition!
On December 2, 12:30pm via zoom
This timely program coincides with the U.S. Supreme Court will hear First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin, a case that could decide whether states can hold anti-abortion centers accountable—or if these centers will gain even more protection to mislead patients. ProChoiceNC.org will unpack what’s at stake, what the ruling could mean for North Carolina, and how lawmakers can respond. Special guest Rep. Julie von Haefen (HD-36) joins them for this timely conversation on truth, accountability, and reproductive freedom. Register today!
|  | | Media placements help us get our voice heard. And being heard helps us make an impact. You can keep up with LWVUS press coverage at the League of Women's Voters Newsroom.
November 18: League of Women Voters, Campaign Legal Center Sue USCIS, DHS and Other Federal Officials over Voter Registration Ban at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies read more
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November 26, 1789 - The first American holiday occurred, proclaimed by President George Washington to be Thanksgiving Day, a day of prayer and public thanksgiving in gratitude for the successful establishment of the new American republic.
November 26, 1832 - American physician and women's rights leader, Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) was born in Oswego, New York. She was the first female surgeon in U.S. Army, serving during the Civil War. She was captured and spent four months in a Confederate prison. In 1865, she became the first and only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor.
November 29, 1876 - Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876-1977) was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. She became America's first female governor, finishing her husband's term as governor of Wyoming after his death. She was elected governor in 1924, but lost the 1927 election. She also served as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee and was named director of the U.S. Mint by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.
|  |  | 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. | |