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Thank you, members. Your support sustains the League’s work in defending democracy, voter education, advocacy, and community engagement across the Williamsburg area.
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📋 Voter Registration Training
The Virginia Department of Elections offers voter registration training for people who assist with voter registration drives. You can complete the Department's self-paced online course at any time, or attend one of the live, virtual, instructor-led training sessions available this summer and fall.
Important: League members may help at our voter registration tables only after completing voter registration training.
Upcoming live, virtual training sessions:
Saturday, September 12, 2026: 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026: 11:00 a.m.
Sign up for voter registration training →
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Guest Essay: The Line Is Holding
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The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice was born in 1957 to enforce the rights of Black Americans against the organized resistance of state power. It prosecuted the killers of civil rights workers. It registered voters. It held police departments accountable.
Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, has turned that mission on its head. She terminated a landmark settlement bringing sanitation to Black families in Alabama, calling it illegal DEI. She gutted the Division — 75% of its lawyers resigned rather than carry out her directives. She filed 31 lawsuits demanding the private voter data of every American. She has not won a single one.
Before a Senate subcommittee, Dhillon declared: "Either DEI will die itself, or we will kill it."
She can try. Courts are pushing back. The League of Women Voters is in federal court fighting back. So are secretaries of state, attorneys general, and citizens across the country.
The line is holding.
— League Member Harry Chancey
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John Lewis Day of Action: Good Trouble Lives On
About 100 people gathered at the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse on July 18 for the local Good Trouble Lives On event honoring the legacy of Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis.
LWV-Williamsburg President Denise Harrington opened the program, encouraging participants to check their voter registration and prepare for the upcoming election. Other speakers addressed voting access, civic participation, and the continuing importance of protecting voting rights.
The event was organized locally by Williamsburg-JCC Indivisible, the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area, and Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists.
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Peninsula Unit Meeting
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Monday, August 24, 2026
Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: Hampton Library, Victoria Blvd., Hampton
Program: Voter Engagement 101 with Michael Daniels and the VA BLOC Team
Contact: peninsula.lwvwa@gmail.com
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The Peninsula Unit of the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area will host an interactive training session on voter engagement with Michael Daniels and the VA BLOC Team.
The training will focus on how to talk with people about voting in an engaging and empowering way. Participants will learn general approaches for reaching voters of all ages — from young people to older adults — as well as voters who range from highly energized and enthusiastic to disinterested or apathetic.
The goal is to help participants meet people where they are, engage them around the issues and concerns that matter to them, and explain how voting can give them a way to have an impact on those interests.
About VA BLOC: VA BLOC is the Black Leadership Organizing Collaborative of Hampton & Newport News, VA.
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Fall League Webinars
LWV Virginia has two online programs coming up in September. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.
Disability Voting Rights Webinar
Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
September 14–18 is Disability Voting Rights Week. The LWV-VA DEI Committee will host a webinar focused on how we can help ensure that people with disabilities can exercise their right to vote and build power as a community of active, voting citizens.
Speakers include Lucy Beadnell, Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer of The Arc of Northern Virginia, and Nichole Davis, Director of the Endependence Center, the Center for Independent Living serving South Hampton Roads. Both are members of REVUP Virginia, a coalition of people and organizations working to protect and expand voting rights for people with disabilities.
Sign up for the Disability Voting Rights webinar →
Webinar on Virginia’s Three Constitutional Amendments
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
LWV Virginia will host a virtual webinar on the three amendments on the November ballot: Right to Vote, Marriage Equality, and Reproductive Freedom. The first 30 minutes will focus on the Reproductive Freedom amendment, the second on Right to Vote, and the third on Marriage Equality.
This event is open to all — not just League members — but registration is required to receive the link.
Sign up for the Constitutional Amendments webinar →
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Book Group
Thursday, October 29, 2026
4:30 p.m.
Private home; contact us for location
📚 Book: Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy — Joyce White Vance
Contact: lwvwa.communications@gmail.com
All League members are welcome to join the conversation.
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Advocacy & Issues
Here are two current League activities of particular interest to members.
Constitutional Amendments Program
Planning is underway for a League panel discussion on Virginia’s one or more of the proposed constitutional amendments on Thursday, October 22. We hope to include speakers addressing reproductive freedom, voting rights, and marriage equality, followed by audience questions. Additional details will be announced as plans are finalized.
New LWV-VA ICE Issue Group
LWV-VA is forming a new Issue Group focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security activity in Virginia. The group will research developments, keep local Leagues informed, and identify relevant League and state positions. Members interested in participating may contact LWV-VA Board Member Jane Newell. Email janen@lwv-va.org
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Want to get more involved? Help with voter outreach, advocacy, events, hospitality, voter registration, and more. Contact: lwvwa.communications@gmail.com
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Get election information at the League’s
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Not a member yet? Joining the League connects you with others who care about empowering voters and defending democracy in our community.
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League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area
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P.O. Box 1086, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1086
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