LWVKA Artists

A very artistic bunch of League members got together to make signs a week in advance of the No Kings event. Thanks to Lindy Rose for taking the lead in this organization, and to First Congregational Church for graciously hosting our group.

The LWVKA Educating Our Community

Democracy Workshop

Voter Service - tabling at Comstock HS

Girl Scout Workshop

Girl Scout Democracy Workshop

Aimée Bedard

League Members Aedin Clements, Karen Gustafson, MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Carol Pauly, Meredith Place, and Aimee Bedard in conjunction with the Kalamazoo County Clerk’s office led a Democracy Badge Workshop for the Girl Scouts in March. Thirteen Junior and Cadette level Scouts learned about the structure and function of our Federal, Michigan, and Local Governments. They learned how laws are written and approved and how our local government impacts our daily lives. Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place and her team led the Scouts through a Voting Activity where they were able to vote a ballot, place it in the tabulator, and receive election results. Thank you to our workshop leads and also to Paula Manley and Heather Kozar who were involved in event planning and Moria Macleod who took pictures. 

Annual Meeting

Maria Gagnon-Markucki

Monday, May 11

Social: 6:00-6:30 pm

Meeting: 6:30-8:00 pm

Location: Friendship Village, Clubhouse

Refreshments: coffee, tea, treats

Von Washington Jr., CEO of The Kalamazoo Promise, will be our guest speaker. Following, we will hold our annual business meeting, which will include approval of the proposed budget, election of Board officers. Please review the proposed budget and Nominating Committee report that are included in this Voter issue. 

Please RSVP to Maria Gagnon-Markucki at mariamarkucki1@gmail.com and place “Annual Meeting RSVP” in the subject line. We look forward to seeing you there!

Protect Our Right to Vote!

Denise Hartsough, VP for Program & Advocacy

In addition to the federal SAVE America Act being debated in the US Senate as this is typed, Michigan voters may well face a vote on a proposed amendment to our state constitution that would require presentation of documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register or re-register to vote.

Documents to prove citizenship include a US passport, naturalization certificate, birth certificate that matches one’s current name, or, if not matching, also a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order legally changing a name.

Proponents of this amendment have turned in petitions with likely enough valid signatures to get this on the November ballot.

NOTE: Proponents are calling this a Voter ID measure. It is not primarily about “voter ID.” It is about keeping certain groups of eligible voters from voting by setting up huge, unnecessary barriers. Those who would be discouraged or prohibited from voting include married women, rural Americans, older Americans, service members and their families, voters with disabilities, voters affected by natural disasters, and working class Americans. 

The proposed amendment to our state constitution also includes criminal penalties for any election official who makes a mistake in checking for DPOC. Action against election officials could be brought by any “aggrieved” Michigan resident.

In addition to this proposal, a bill headed to the floor of the State House would require DPOC for voter registration. LWVMI has issued an action alert opposing HB 4765.

ACT NOW!

1. Even if you have already, use Take Action at lwv.org to tell our US Senators to keep on vigorously opposing the SAVE America Act, if the Senate is still debating it as you read this. It would impose a DPOC requirement AND mandate that all states send our sensitive personal voter information to the federal government. 
2. Use Take Action at lwvmi.org to tell your State Representative to vote no on HB 4765, if and when it goes to the floor for a vote.
3. Tell everyone you can what the SAVE America Act and similar efforts in Michigan are really about–depriving eligible voters of the power of the vote. They are not about voter ID. Suppressing the vote is unpopular. Voter ID sounds like common sense. Make clear what is going on. For more info about countering DPOC on the state level, check out the DPOC tool kit from LWVUS. 
4. Thanks to LWVKA leaders and coalition partners, the Kalamazoo County Commission will consider a resolution against DPOC requirements on April 7 at 6:30pm. Contact your County Commissioner before April 7 and ask them to support the resolution. If you can, please attend the meeting at the County Building, 201 W. Kalamazoo Ave. Local resolutions bring attention to the dangers of DPOC.

Voter Service Update — April 2026

Aimée Bedard

In March, the League tabled at Comstock’s High School, STEM School, and Elementary School during Parent Teacher Conferences, sharing information about the upcoming May Election proposals and 2026 election dates. Thank you to volunteers Gloria Foster-Wimbley, Deb Noble and Andrea Allen. Thank you to Jules Isenberg-Wedel who connected Aedin and me with Superintendent Jeff Thoenes of Comstock Schools.  

We are currently in the process of building our Spring Voter Education Event Calendar. Thank you to Anne Flynn, Gloria Foster-Wimbley, and Jennie Hill who are contacting high schools. Be on the look-out for League email requests for Volunteers. We will also need volunteers to lead some upcoming Voter Education/Registration events due to leadership availability. An email will go out to League members in the coming months concerning tabling at community events such as Outfront Pride and Bronco Bash. Any League member(s) interested in leading events please contact me lwvkalamazoo@gmail.com

Lastly, I am often asked how to prepare for Voter Education and Registration Events. As I mentioned last month, familiarize yourself with Vote411.org and ask questions. Also be aware that during voter education/registration events we are not allowed to discuss specific candidates or or to advocate, that is, we may not speak on League positions. Please contact me with any questions.

May Election Update

Aimée Bedard

Election Days for 2026 are as follows:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026           Regular Election

Tuesday, August 4, 2026        Primary Election

Tuesday, November 3, 2026   General Election 

Kalamazoo and Calhoun County League members should check Vote411.org to confirm if you have an election scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Voters can review ballot proposals online. Make sure that you, your family and friends have a Voting Plan. Absent Voter Ballots are available for issuance to voters starting Thursday, March 26, 2026. The League encourages Absent Ballot Voters to drop off or mail ballots back to their clerks, ASAP and no later than two weeks before election day. Do not wait until the last minute. For those who vote in person, polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Tuesday, May 5, 2026. 

For the August Primary and November General Elections, early voting will be available. Early voting days are as follows for Kalamazoo County and Calhoun County. *Calhoun County will start August Election early voting on July 24th.

August Election* Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, August 2

November Election Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, November 1



Early voting in Kalamazoo County will be similar but different than the locations and times used for the 2024 election. We encourage you to review the Kalamazoo County Clerk’s Early Voting summary HERE. We will post information for August and November elections as we get closer to the dates. 

Partner organization:

Delta Sigma Theta

Gloria Foster-Wimbley

Hello my name is Gloria Foster-Wimbley. I am a new member of the League of Women Voters of Kalamazoo. I am a long time resident of Kalamazoo, raised in New York before settling here in Kalamazoo in the mid 70’s. I am a retired educator, working in Kalamazoo Public Schools and Three Rivers Community Schools, as a math teacher and administrator. I am married to my husband Craig and have three grown children and ten grandchildren. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and this April it will be twenty-five wonderful years serving in that organization. I have served as the President, Vice President, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries as well as Education chair, Nominating chair, Advisor( for collegiate chapter at Western Michigan University) and worked on numerous committees.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, not for profit organization. Our purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in our local communities throughout the world. Since our founding in 1913, we have been distinguished as a public organization that boldly confronts the challenges African Americans face and in doing so we advocate for all Americans. We provide an extensive array of public service initiatives organized by our Five Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic Development, Educational

Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health and Political Awareness and Involvement.

Our collaboration with the League of Women Voters has existed for some time, however our organizations have partnered with Vote 411, League of Women Voters Education fund, to encourage our members and those we serve to be active participants in the democratic process, which falls under our Political Awareness and Involvement thrust. As a newly appointed Social Action Chair of the Kalamazoo Alumnae chapter it was important to me that I was knowledgeable on aspects that would guide me as I prepare members of Kalamazoo Alumnae to educate and advocate for critical policies which impact our local community, state and nation. Our work together will hopefully reach more individuals and prayerfully we will engage more citizens to exercise their civic duty to vote and advocate for their rights. I am so

pleased to work with the women and men in this organization.

LWV National Convention Update

The League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area and the Calhoun County Unit will be sending a total of five Voting Delegates to the 2026 LWVUS National Convention in June. Voting Delegates will be Aimee Bedard, Aedin Clements, Paula Manley, Kathy Purnell, and Susan Stuart. Thank you to our Voting Delegates and all who expressed interest in attending the Convention.

From the Membership Chair

By Terri McDonald (terrilzmcdonald@gmail.com)

Welcome to the following new members who joined during February and March. There was a glitch in the system which resulted in the new members in February not reported. We apologize for this error. 

February

Vicky Robbins (Kalamazoo)

Elyse Connors (Kalamazoo)

Jeana Koerber (Mattawan)

Virginia Spaniolo (Kalamazoo)

March

Carol Langley (Battle Creek)

Kathleen Murphy (Kalamazoo)

Scott Schrum (Kalamazoo)

When you pay your membership dues online, you will see three (3) charges on your account which shows you how the dues are divided between the local, state, and national league. For example, if you pay $75 this amount will be divided as follows: $15 for local (20%), $35.25 (47%) for state, and $24.75 (33%) for national. If you choose to pay by check, please make your check out to LWVUS for the total $75 and those percentages will be divided out at the national level. It's extremely important you put membership renewal on the memo line of your check. Checks can be mailed to the league PO Box. The other key piece of information is to use the email address that you registered with when joining the league. You can personally change the email address in your portal. 

As always, reach out if you have any questions about your membership.

Terri McDonald

terrilzmcdonald@gmail.com

Membership & Roster Chair

LWV Kalamazoo Area 

2026-2027 Nominating Committee Slate

The following LWVKA members have accepted nominations for Officers, Directors and Nominating Committee for the 2026-2027 LWVKA Board. Voting occurs at the May 11, 2026 Annual Meeting. 

Co-President (1yr) Aimee Bedard

Co-President (1yr)

VP Organization (1yr)

VP Program (2yr) Judy Sivak

Treasurer (2yr) Tanya Potter

Board Members (2yr)

MMTerri McDonald

MMJules Isenberg-Wedel

MMDenise Hartsough

Nominating (1yr)

MMKay Anderson

MMLisa Fuller

MMMary Baggerman

Please contact Nominating Committee chair Kay Anderson 269-649-2461 or kander314@aol.com or committee members Regena Nelson, Barb Dircks, Teresa Johnson or Lisa Fuller if interested in being considered for any of the open positions. LWVKA needs you! Thank you.

LWVKA Proposed General Fund Budget

Budget Year July 1, 2026 thru June 20, 2027

INCOME

Individual Contributions.....$4,225

Meetings............................$2,000

Membership Dues.............$2,500
___________________________________

Total Income....................$8,725

EXPENSES

Website................................$600

Office Supplies.....................$500

Postage, PO Box..................$250

Printing/Copying.......................$0

The Voter Expense...............$900

Voter Registration.................$100

Development Committee......$900

Paypal Fees.........................$125

D & O Insurance......................$0

Membership Dues..................$50

Membership Recruitment.....$300

Meeting Costs...................$3,000

General Insurance...................$0

Calhoun County...................$500

Conference.......................$1,500

________________________________

Total Expenses......................$8,725

Net Income...............................$0.00

LWVKA Meeting, April 11

Aedín Clements

Co-President, LWVKA

Following a good working meeting where we made signs for the No KIngs Rally, our next member meeting will be in Oshtemo Public Library, Saturday, April 11th, from 1pm to 2pm.

This meeting will give League members an opportunity to become familiar with LWV resources (websites of the LWVKA, LWVMI, LWV, Voter, action alerts and more).

In this meeting we will also discuss and strategize on voter information, education, registration and mobilization for the coming months. Come, join us and take part in the conversation!

LWVKA Book Group

Karen Gustafson

We met on March 17 at Kazoo Books and Aedin Clements led the discussion on  

Take My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. There were a few new faces, which we love to have.

We plan to read four more books this year, with meetings in May, July, September and November. Our books are as follows:

May 19

The First Ladies, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

Led by Regena Nelson

July 21

Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy, by Joyce Vance. Led by Aimee Bedard

September 15

Let the People Pick the President, by Jesse Wegman.

Led by Lindy Rose

November 17

Original Sins: The (Mis) education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism, by Eve L. Ewing.

We plan to meet as usual in Kazoo Books, 2413 Parkview, on the third Tuesday, every other month.

All League members are welcome at our book discussion group. We would love to have you join us!.

Please contact Karen Gustafson if you have any questions or would like to be added to our email list: 269-207-2441 kgustafson912@gmail.com

LWVUS Update

Paula Manley



APRIL

Arab American Heritage Month

National Volunteer Month

Nn16 D.C. Emancipation Day

19-25 National Volunteer Week

Nn22 Earth Day

As of this writing, S. 1383, the SAVE America Act, is being debated in the U.S. Senate. This bill would require documentary proof of citizenship (such as a passport or birth certificate) along with a state-issued photo ID to register to vote and to cast a ballot. LWV CEO Celina Stewart joined a recent press conference to talk about the SAVE Act. If you have not yet responded to the Action Alert to contact your Senator urging them to oppose the SAVE Act, please do so.



What is D.C. Emancipation Day? On April 16, 1862, the Compensated Emancipation Act ended slavery in Washington, D.C. The act freed 3,100 individuals, reimbursed those who had legally owned them and offered recently freed women and men money to emigrate.

Native Plant Tour

The importance of maintaining a healthy planet is becoming abundantly clear. One part of that is maintaining biodiversity. Most of us can help by having native plants in our yards. They can be grown in pots. They can be added to existing gardens or landscaping. They can be part of restoring natural areas.  

LWVKA member Ruth Caputo started restoring abandoned farm land in south Portage 20 years ago. The area is looking more like the oak savanna/prairie with woodland that would have been here before settlement.

You’re invited to visit Ruth’s yard to see possibilities for adding native plants to your place and/or learning more about the natural areas around us. The tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 any time between 10am–1pm. Wearing long pants and sturdy shoes is recommended. Using insect spray is a good idea too. I’ll have some here if you forget yours.

Feel free to call or email me if you have questions.

Ruth Caputo

10970 Poplar Bluff Ct

Portage MI

(269) 823-8913

rdecann47@gmail.com

LWVKA/Calhoun County
Geographical Unit

Susan Stuart

The spring calendar is filling up with dates for voter education opportunities at many community events in Calhoun county. Take a look and sign up to provide voter information, mock ballot instructions, encourage voters to stop mis/disinformation, and carefully read any ballot petitions for obstructions to voting. 

The Board is seeking volunteers for the ‘26-‘27 LWV Management Team. Contact one of us to express your interest and enthusiasm. Every position needs a back-up and there are still vacancies for communication, membership, and others. This is your opportunity to get involved at a deeper level.

The next election is May 5. There is only one ballot proposal for the city of Battle Creek to extend the terms of the Mayor and Council members from two to four years. We will need a group of dedicated volunteers for the August primary and November elections, including election workers.

I will be your delegate to the LWVUS national convention in Columbus, OH in June. Contact me with your questions or concerns.

Why Do You Vote?

Aimee Bedard

The more I table at schools and community events, the more I realize that some people are looking for information on why voting is important. Why does one need to vote in every election? Why is voting fundamental to American Democracy? The more I noodle this topic, the clearer it is to me that voting is personal. There is not one answer to the question. Your answer is influenced by how you were raised, where you live, your life experiences, etc. I believe to answer the question we need input from people of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds. In discussing this topic with League member and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Community Partner, Gloria Foster-Wimbley we decided it might be helpful to pose the question to League members and people in our lives.

Gloria and I are asking that League members use the QR code above or Link to answer the question Why do you vote or not vote? Feel free to share this with family, friends, and colleagues. We will be seeking input from students and voters at our tabling events. We will return before summer with our findings. 

LWVKA Officers and Board Members