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. |  |
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The 57th Biennial League of Women Voters (LWV) National Convention recently took place from June 25 to June 28, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. LWV-Wake President Gaye Williams, Board Member Terry Bradley Dunn, past President and current LWVNC Board Member Cheryl Tung, and member Brian Holland represented LWV-Wake and joined with about a dozen other members from across the state as part of the LWV North Carolina delegation. LWV-Wake member and LWVNC Board Member, Mary Thompson, was recognized with the Helping Hand award for her work in the national League transformation.
The convention included Voting delegates from state and local Leagues gathering to establish the organization's program, budget, and bylaws. Members also evaluated priorities for the upcoming 2026–2028 biennium, including key addresses on shaping the future of democracy. More recap information will be shared as it comes available.
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We recognize and honor our long-term member and past LWV-Wake Board Member and President, Dianna Wynn, for her service as president of the League of Women Voters of the United States from 2024-2026. Dianna completed her term at the end of the LWVUS convention in June. We welcome her back from the LWVUS Board to her home delegation of North Carolina. We congratulate and recognize our own LWVNC President, Jennifer Rubin, as the new LWVUS Nominating Committee Chair for 2026-2028.
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Join a July Committee Meeting
Tuesday, July 21, 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM (Zoom): Voter Services Committee meeting. 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: 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. The Affordable Housing Committee encourages local government to support affordable housing options that meet the needs of an economically diverse community in Wake County.
|  | | 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.
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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. |  | 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.
Registration is open now! 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.
| 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.
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In our last newsletter, we recognized the 9 LWV Lifetime members who are members of our League. There were two inadvertent omissions related to those members who also served as past Presidents of our very own League. To correct that, we’re featuring our Lifetime Members again here. LWV Lifetime Members are those who have been members of a League of Women Voters for at least 50 years! That designation goes with Lifetime members to any LWV local league across the country.
LWV-Wake has 9 Lifetime members: Vicki Gerig (President, 2002–2004; 2013–2014), Moira O’Connor, Eve Vitaglione (President, 1993–1994), Pat Butler, Patricia Watts (President 1984-86), Kenille Baumgardner, Janice Patterson, Bonnie Medinger (President 1979-1980), and Deborah Swain.
Thank you for your decades of commitment to Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy!
| EMPOWERING VOTERS IN THE COMMUNITY ON INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND! | Voter Outreach was busy this July 4th weekend. LWV Wake had registration tables at the Raleigh First Friday event on July 3rd in downtown Raleigh. and on July 4th at the Capitol 250 NC event downtown - an official America 250 NC event hosted by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
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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).
| 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. | |