Stay Informed: LWV Dare August Newsletter

August 2026 Newsletter

by Deb Bauer, Co-President

President's Message

Midsummer and the busy tourist season are upon us! Heres hoping that you are all

enjoying your summer, staying cool, dry and comfortable, as you may be relaxing,

hosting visitors and/or traveling.

You may recall the LWV-Dare held its annual meeting in June, where members were

asked to provide thoughts and ideas for the 2026 -2027 year. Many good wishes were

identified by members, including the continuation of informational programs and social

opportunities. Consistent themes included support civics education, continue

supporting democracy, supporting free and fair elections, get out the vote, hold

candidate forums, and continue to educate about national, state and local issues.

These wishes were reviewed at the League’s annual retreat in June, in an effort to plan

for the upcoming year. Many important issues were noted, and we look forward to the

development of programs as available. Thanks are extended to those who shared their

ideas.

The LWV-Dare was formed in 1987. Planning is scheduled to occur to celebrate the

Leagues 40 anniversary in 2027! This is an important milestone and is a tribute to the

community’s commitment to democracy. Stay tuned for further information.

Your volunteer voices, time and talents are welcome! As your time permits, you are

encouraged to visit the LWVDC website for further information and updates. Please

note the following upcoming events and participate as you are interested/able.

August 7, 2026 Unite and Rise Day of Action

September 10, 2026 LWV-Dare Kick Off

Getting Involved

Power the Polls

Submitted by Claudia Kozinetz, Co President

Since 2020, the League of Women Voters has partnered with Power the Polls to recruit

poll workers. As we prepare for upcoming local elections and gear up for a busy election season, it is critical to recruit poll workers to ensure safe, free, and fair elections for all voters.

Poll Worker Recruitment Day is Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Poll workers are critical

to help maintain safe and accessible in-person voting for all voters. As a poll worker,

you help elections in our community run smoothly by keeping polling locations open,

ensuring technology works, and helping voters who may need additional support at the

polls.

It’s a great way to give back and support the process of democracy.

National Convention Report

Submitted by Jeanine Emery

In June, I had the privilege of representing the League of Women Voters of Dare County at the LWVUS National Convention, a biennial gathering where delegates from across

the country chart the League’s direction for the next two years. In addition to electing

national leadership and adopting the budget and by-laws, this year’s convention brought

together more than 1000 voting members and offered plenary sessions, advocacy

trainings, and networking opportunities.

A particularly informative breakout session featured Jen Miller, Executive Director of

LWV Ohio, and Freda Levenson, Legal Director of the ACLU of Ohio. Their discussion

highlighted the careful use of litigation to defend voting rights, used only after other

avenues were exhausted. Hearing how those cases are built was eye-opening. Another

session explored ranked-choice voting and how it can broaden voter participation,

something I hadn’t known much about. The convention’s plenary sessions focused on

governance and direction, including unanimous election of the 2026-2028 leadership

slate, and thoughtful debate on by-law amendments. Outgoing President Diane Wynn

delivered an impassioned address, introducing the new program, defending democracy,

under siege. She urged members to go, “bigger, bolder, stronger,” and reminded us of

the League’s measurable impact.

Some of the most meaningful moments happened outside the formal sessions.

Gathering with North Carolina League members over dinner to swap ideas about voter

engagement and local challenges was energizing. I was able to share our success with

mock elections in elementary schools, an initiative some leagues have struggled to

initiate. I came home with a deeper understanding of the League’s national work, fresh

ideas from Leagues across the country, and renewed enthusiasm for strengthening civic

engagement here in Dare County. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to

putting new ideas into practice at home.

Call to Action

Post Card Signing

LWVUS is sponsoring a nationwide day of civic action in honor of the anniversary of the

Voting Rights Act of 1965. LWV Dare is supporting this action with a few hours of

Postcard writing to Dare voters.

Join us on Friday, August 7 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Baum Center in Kill Devil Hills.

Drop in any time during 11 – 1pm.

We will address postcards to new, young, female voters in Dare County.

This Day of Action is part of the nationwide movement to protect the freedom to vote

and strengthen our democracy.

Voter Services Update

Volunteers Needed: Candidate Forums

Submitted by Marcie Ries

With the midterm elections less than 100 days away, Voter Services is already working

hard on organizing our traditional candidate forums. The Forums give Dare County voters a chance to see and hear local candidates running for election on November 3 as they address questions posed by the voters.

The Forums are also a great opportunity for members to get involved in one of our League’s most popular events.

For each forum we will need an overall coordinator to interact with the candidates and the venue, a moderator, members of a panel to review audience questions, and “greeters” to assist members of the audience to find seats and pose their questions.

No prior experience? No problem. We will host a practice session well in advance of the events for all to meet their teams, learn (or if they are repeaters, review) their roles and ask any questions they may have.

Though the dates are not yet set, we will aim to schedule the forums on weekday nights

sometime close to the start of early voting on October 15 to give voters a chance to hear the candidates before they cast their ballots.

If you would like to volunteer for a specific role or even if you want more information before deciding, please email Marcie Ries at Marcie.Ries@gmail.com.

ERA-NOW

“If you support fairness, go to sign4ERA.org and say so.

Because the ERA has been ratified —

but not yet officially recognized.”

ERA NOW continues to make headlines – with the visibility of the 110 year old car tour earlier this year and repeated messaging encouraging support of the affirming the 28^th Amendment.

Judy Lotas recently was published in the Henderson Daily Dispatch. (Link)

Pictured: Melissa Elliott, Mayor of Henderson with two future voters.

Membership Update

Submitted by Lorelei DiBernardo

Many of our chapter members have been renewing their membership over the last

several weeks. When it is time for you to renew, you will receive automatic reminders

to your email address on record. We hope you will renew with the option of paying

online with a credit card, although paying by check still works! (see below ***)

You can renew using this link https://www.lwvdarenc.org/become-member. Just click

the Join/Renew button and proceed using your name and email address.

*** If you would prefer to Renew your membership to the League by mail, please make

your check payable to: LWV Dare. Write “Membership” on the subject line.

Recommended annual dues are $75. (You may pay more, or less, to as little as $20.) If paying by check, please do not combine membership payments with local chapter donations -- 2 separate checks are necessary.

Mail your check to:

League of Women Voters of Dare County

PO Box 93

Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

If you have any questions about when you are due to renew, or with any of the above,

please do not hesitate to contact me at ltd32@charter.net! Thank you!