LWV Charleston Area Newsletter | May 2026

Are due process rights for immigrants being upheld in our communities? How are enforcement efforts impacting our schoolchildren? What are the impacts on the South Carolina workforce and economy?

LWV Charleston's Immigration Committee has organized a panel of immigration experts to tell us what's happening on the ground here as a result of federal immigration policy actions. Sign up now, more details to come.

When: Thursday, May 21 from 6 to 7 pm on Zoom.

What does it mean to be a citizen?

Members, join us for our 2nd documentary group get-together! We'll discuss Amend, The Fight for America, a lively and timely look at how the 14th Amendment has been applied (or not applied) from origin to present. Watch the series on Netflix at home (6 themed one-hour episodes) and then meet with other members to react and exchange ideas.

When: Sunday, May 31, 3 pm - 4:30 pm

Where: A Member's Home Downtown

LWVCA's Susan McHugh and Karen Gallagher will guide us. Address details will be sent to attendees. Limited spaces so please sign up if you haven't already!

This is a big meeting, members! Our fiscal year is coming to a busy and productive close, and we need your voice and your vote to select our next term's Board members, and approve Program Planning priorities and our new Budget.

But it's not all work - we'll have social time with food and drink, and a guest speaker - College of Charleston Political Science Professor Karyn Amira, whose research focuses on media and democracy. Sign up now so we can get our planning underway! Members, look for your voting materials in a separate email next week!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GRASSROOTS PROMOTION BRIGADE! We're getting flyers posted and postcards and Vote411 info into libraries, schools, coffee shops and public spaces thanks to a growing corps of volunteers including Jennifer Dane, Helen Gildea, Jean Gill, Marsha Kite, Jennifer Metts, Ellen Moore, Abi Locatis Prochaska, Kim Savon, and our multi-tasking Board members! 👏

LWV RECENT VOTER SERVICES AND TABLING PRESENCE!
Shout outs to Kathy Bennett, Judy Manning, and our volunteers at

• The IAAM Jazz in the Garden Festival
• Military Magnet Academy for registering almost half of the graduating class at their year-end awards ceremony this week!
• Wando HS, Stall HS, Ashley Hall, Hahanan HS, the Dream Girls Conference, and Keith Summey N Charleston Library

COMING NEXT!

• May 15-17, That BIG Book Sale, held by Charleston Friends of the Library in Mt Pleasant. A few volunteer slots remain. Sign up here.
• May 16, Environmental Studies is hosting a table to promote issue awareness and voting at the Bulls Bay Nature and Heritage Festival in Awendaw.
• May 21 (tentative): Park Circle Farmer's Market, 3-7 pm. Contact Kathy Bennett if interested in volunteering there.

REMINDER: LWVUS holds its National Convention this year in Columbus, Ohio from June 25-28. Space is available to register virtual observers from LWVCA. This is an opportunity for committed members to witness the grassroots operating and decision-making of the League, and to participate in pre-conference briefings and real-time sessions with other LWVSC virtual delegates and observers. If you'd like to learn more please review the details on the LWVUS Convention site, or send us an email.

☕️**New (and newish) members: Join co-Presidents Cara Erickson and Jeri Cabot for a casual coffee meetup! Tuesday, May 5 from 10-11 am at Odd Duck Market, 1082 East Montague Ave, Park Circle, N. Charleston. No agenda, a chance to sip and talk!

We can't wait to see you!

Thanks for supporting our programs.

Visit our website to join LWVCA or renew!

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

LWV of the Charleston Area is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit

Newsletter Editor: Cara Erickson