Democracy in Action Across Washington State | News from the League of Women Voters of WA

• LWV declares Constitutional Crisis and launches new initiative to mobilize voters—read the full statement. 
• Urge your members of Congress to stand up for Democracy. Take action here.
• If your county held an April Special Election, check your ballot status at VoteWA.gov.
• Attend town halls with your members of Congress. We're tracking town halls on our website and will continue to update it. Let us know if we missed any. If your Member of Congress doesn't schedule one for the upcoming recess (May 27-June 1), call them and request one! You can find their office phone numbers in They Represent You.

Tell Gov. Ferguson to Sign the Recycling Reform Act

The WA Legislature sent the Recycling Reform Act to Gov. Ferguson for his signature. The waste industry and businesses are pressuring him to veto—sending a support email to the Governor would be very helpful! The bill establishes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products, which will require companies that manufacture and sell these products to pay for 90% of the costs of residential curbside recycling services (and will pay all of the state's costs). Under the bill, all Washington households that currently have garbage service will receive recycling service, expanding recycling to over 500,000 homes primarily in rural areas and multifamily buildings. Residents who already have recycling services—but have seen costs increase over 30% in the last 7 years—will see a direct 90% savings on their utility bills. 

⚠️Send a message in SUPPORT of the Recycling Reform Act to Gov. Ferguson HERE. 

5.1 THU // May Day National Day of Action

50501 is coordinating another national day of action on May 1. Get information about events around the state here. 

5.21 WED // Redistricting Taskforce Meeting  

All individuals and organizational representatives are invited to join us on the third Wednesday of each month for the Redistricting Reform Task Force meeting. Each month we strategize and implement the actions needed to achieve reform. Learn more.

5.27 TUE // How Healthy is Washington State's Democracy?
This League Affinity Group meetings are the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:30 PM. Contact Jean Jover-Snider for the meeting link or more info. Learn more about affinity groups for League members here. 

Find more League events around the state. →

LWV Declares United States in a "Constitutional Crisis," Announces New Initiative to Mobilize Voters

From the flagrant disregard for congressional authority and governmental checks and balances to defying Supreme Court orders to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back home, one thing is abundantly clear: our country is in a constitutional crisis—and we must fight back.

Federal Court Blocks Part of Anti-Voter Trump Executive Order Challenged by League of Women Voters

On April 24, a federal court judged issued a ruling temporarily blocking the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) from implementing a provision in the President's executive order adding a requirement to show a passport or similar document proving citizenship when registering to vote via the federal form. 

Introducing the LWVWA Resisting Threats Committee

A committee has been formed to help guide local Leagues and League members through current threats to democracy. 

LWVWA Convention 2025: Stand Up for Democracy

Convention is open to League members and their guests. We’re proud to announce that we will have some amazing featured speakers at this year’s state convention, including Washington’s Attorney General Nick Brown and LWVUS President Dianna Wynn!

We provide this list of articles about the League's work in Washington State to showcase the work being done by our state and local Leagues. You may encounter a paywall when you click on an article. As our recent study “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy” found, local newspapers play a crucial role in supporting healthy communities and healthy democracies. The LWVWA encourages you to subscribe to your local paper if you are able.

Federal Judge Will Hear Arguments as Groups Try to Block Trump's Executive Order on Elections // LWV United States // Yakima Herald-Republic

President Donald Trump Issues an Executive Order that Would Change How Election Ballots are Counted, Potentially Impacting Voters Throughout Washington // LWV United States // The Tacoma Ledger

Judge Blocks Parts of Trump's Overhaul of US Elections, Including Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement  // LWV United States // The Columbian

COMMENTARY: A Call to Action on Our Local News Crisis // LWV Washington // Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Lawmakers Could Tax Social Media Companies to Fund Local Journalism // LWV Washington // The Spokesman-Review

Democracy Depends on Support of Local Journalism // LWV Washington // Sequim Gazette

As Stormwaters Rise, a Possible Lifeline is Tossed to Independent Local News Efforts // LWV Washington // Cascadia Daily

New Citizens From 12 Countries Sworn in at Richland Courthouse Event // LWV Washington // NBC: Nonstop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima

READER VIEW/OPINION: What You Can Do To Protect Democracy // LWV Washington // My Edmonds News

The Plastic Problem is Bad; It's Health Effects Are Worse // LWV Bellingham/Whatcom // Salish Current

SAVE Act Fuels Debates on Election Policy // LWV Benton/Franklin // Whiteman Wire

GUEST VIEWPOINT: Know Your Rights // LWV Kittitas // The Daily Record

League of Women Voters Holds Artist Reception for Youth Competition // LWV Pullman Area // The Lewiston Tribune

Pierce Count Elections Wins National "Clearies" Award for Election Security and Technology Innovations // LWV Tacoma/Pierce // Hoodline

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: There's a Bill in Congress to Make Voting Harder for Everyone // LWV Thurston // The Olympian

Hands Off! Spokane // LWV Spokane Area // Range: Press for the People

LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council April 14, 2025 // LWV San Juans // The Orcasonian

LWV Observer Corp Notes on Public Meetings From March 28- April 14 // LWV San Juans // The Journal of the San Juan Islands

LWV Observer Corps Notes on Town and County Councils and Port Commission // LWV San Juans // The Journal of the San Juans

League of Women Voters Observer Corps Notes // LWV San Juans // The Journal of the San Juans Islands 

Join Your Local League

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Any person 16 and older may become a voting member of the League. 

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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