LWV Charleston Area Newsletter | December 2025

LWV Lawsuit, LWVCA Op-Ed

Winter Member Social - Details!

Observer Corps and CCPL

Calendar and LWVSC LEAD

News on LWVUS Lawsuit

Read in The Post and Courier

On November 18, LWVUS filed a federal lawsuit against USCIS, DHS, and other federal officials. LWV Charleston is one of five state and local co-plaintiffs in the suit.

The lawsuit challenges an abrupt new rule that bans nonpartisan groups, including The League of Women Voters, from registering new citizens to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies held at US Customs and Immigration Services facilities.

Our co-Presidents Cara Erickson and Jeri Cabot wrote an Op-Ed for The Post and Courier to explain our position and how this ruling has impacted our ability to deliver on our mission. It ran online and in today's print edition (December 19).

This week, our lawyers with Campaign Legal Center filed for a preliminary injunction, asking the Court to allow LWV voter registration efforts to resume nationwide at USCIS administrative ceremonies, while the legal process continues.

MEMBERS: WINTER MEETING IS COMING SOON -- SUNDAY, JANUARY 11,

WE'RE EAGER TO SEE YOU THERE!

Guest Speaker News!

We're delighted to announce that we'll be joined by Susan Dunn, noted local civil rights attorney (retired) who served for more than 10 years as Legal Director for ACLU South Carolina. In 2021, LWV SC awarded her the Spirit of Democracy Award. She will speak about the Constitution, leaning in on voter rights and other concerns. In a year when LWVUS has urged members to mobilize against federal overreach to defend democracy, her insights will be most timely.

When and Where:

Sunday January 11, 2-4pm

Paradiso Charleston

in the Mixson community

4401 McCarthy Street

North Charleston

If the weather cooperates, we'll have full use of this tropically-themed indoor/outdoor social club with its restaurant and bar, patio, and cozy fire pits!

In addition, this event is an opportunity to

Meet and mingle with members and Board
Enjoy a chef's foodie spread and drinks
Learn about program and volunteer updates AND
Take part in our Winter Silent Auction

Cost: $25 towards food and soft drinks

RSVP - requested by Jan 1. For full details and sign up, click below!

LWVCA MEMBER WINTER SOCIAL - SIGN UP NOW!

LWVCA Public Comment:

CCPL Board Appointment Process

When it seemed this week that a motion was being put forth at County Council to revisit recent appointments to the Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees, our advocacy team took action.

Our Observer Corps volunteers who attend CCPL meetings were instrumental in helping us understand the dynamics of the current board of trustees, and the importance of appointing professional trustees who are dedicated to the library's mission and who aim to adhere to good governance standards.

The League sent this public comment to the Charleston County Council .

The controversy was resolved when the challenge motion was withdrawn from the County Council meeting agenda for procedural reasons. The recently appointed Trustees will retain their seats. Local press reported that there was significant civic engagement around this issue; hundreds of citizens took action to submit online comments to County Council prior to the scheduled meeting.

To learn more about Observer Corps, contact Shayna Howell, VP Issues and Actions.

LWVCA Calendar

All current members are invited to sign up for LEAD, LWV South Carolina's annual League Education & Advocacy Day in Columbia, SC on Saturday, January 24th from 9:30 am to 3pm. Click here for program agenda and to sign up!

This is an opportunity to meet other League members and hear from LWVSC advocacy and voter services leaders and outside experts as we plan our local work for the 2026 primary season and beyond.

LWVCA has budgeted funds for member registrations. Carpooling is encouraged. For more info or to let us know you've signed up, please email Jeri Cabot.

New: LWVCA Special Election Forum Scheduled

Monday, January 5: North Charleston City Council District 1 Special Election Forum

Place: Dorchester Road Library, 6325 Dorchester Rd. N Charleston, 6 -7:30 pm.

All six candidates will participate. Open to public. No advance sign up required.

Note regarding SC House 98 Special Election: We tried but were unable to secure a forum date that was suitable for both candidates running for this seat. Please review their positions on the issues here in our Vote411.org election guide.

Preview of Upcoming Events

1) Thursday, January 15 at 1pm, Charleston Main Library: A talk about Immigration System Issues featuring Professor Melissa Siegel, PhD, an expert in global migration. She has roots in Charleston and is currently Professor and Head of Migration Studies at UNU-MERIT (United Nations University) in The Netherlands.

2) Sunday, February 22, Annual Program Planning from 2-4:30 pm, Charleston Main Library. This is a participatory grassroots meeting in which all members are invited to help review and set LWV program priorities for the next year.

3) A two-part program on how our elections work; presented with Charleston Board of Elections and open to the public. Location and dates to come.

4) Sunday, March 8 afternoon: A guided informal discussion group about Ken Burns' new documentary, The American Revolution, to be held at a member's home downtown. Details forthcoming. Email to express interest.

Giving Tuesday Update! Thank you to all who answered our call and contributed to our campaign! It's not too late to click here to contribute by tax deadline. We appreciate your donations in support of local voters and democracy - at any level!

Our next Board meeting with be held on Zoom, Tuesday, January 6 at 6pm. Observers are welcome. To attend and receive the link, please email us.

Happy Holidays and New Year!

❆ And a shout-out to all our volunteers, members,

Board members, and supporters this year! ❆

EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.

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Newsletter Editor: Cara Erickson