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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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The League in Action — September 2026
Voter information flyers, a co-sponsored candidates and
constitutional amendments panel, and voter information
tables at William & Mary and community locations,
including the Grove Food Pantry.
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Guest Essay: The Right Thing To Do!
Too often, the Supreme Court is asked: Who Counts? Regular observers know the
same answer comes back more often than it should: Fewer than the day before.
This November, Virginia has the power to expand rights — not take them away.
Three amendments to the state constitution are on the ballot.
One automatically restores voting rights to Virginians who have completed their
sentences. This will end a Jim Crow-era scheme written into the constitution in 1902.
Another writes reproductive freedom into the state's founding document.
Four years ago, the Supreme Court erased a federal protection that had stood
for nearly fifty years.
Still another repeals a same-sex marriage ban Virginia voters put in the
constitution in 2006. It lies dormant today only as long as a superseding
Supreme Court decision stands.
Getting these three amendments on the ballot took two years of hard work.
Under Virginia law, an amendment must pass two separate General Assemblies
with an election in between. Virginians are not leaving these rights up to
the federal government any longer. Congress can repeal a statute.
A president can revoke an order. The Supreme Court can reverse itself.
Only Virginians can undo a Virginia constitution — and only Virginians
can write one.
That is the power of the ballot.
Early voting is already under way. Expanding rights is the right thing to do.
Vote YES on all three amendments.
— Harry Chancey, League member and social media specialist
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No Kings — October 17
Saturday, October 17, 2026 — 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse
5201 Monticello Avenue
Williamsburg, VA 23188
RSVP (Optional) →
The League of Women Voters is partnering nationally with
No Kings for its nonpartisan Vote Early Activation
on Saturday, October 17. Local Leagues and members
are welcome to participate while continuing to prioritize
their planned election activities.
The League is also highlighting Election Hero Day
on October 20, recognizing the essential work of
election workers who help make our democracy possible.
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Thursday, October 22, 2026
Refreshments: 3:30 p.m.
Panel: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Legacy Hall, 4301 New Town Avenue
Join us for our annual Back to League fall gathering.
Register for Back to League
With three proposed constitutional amendments on Virginia’s
November 3 ballot, our panel will discuss
reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and the right to vote.
The Panel
Hannah Servedio, Organizing Director, Virginians for Reproductive Freedom;
Narissa Rahaman, Executive Director, Equality Virginia; and
Mary Bauer, Executive Director, ACLU of Virginia.
Moderator: Harry Chancey, League member.
Q&A will follow the panel, with time to reconnect with League friends and enjoy light refreshments.
Please Bring a Guest
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Peninsula Unit Meeting
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Monday, October 26, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: City Space, 11820 Merchants Walk, Suite 100, Newport News
Contact:
peninsula.lwvwa@gmail.com
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The Peninsula Unit of the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area
meeting on Monday, October 26, will feature a presentation titled
“Gaslighting: The Wizard's Wand — Authoritarianism, Disinformation,
and How to Fight It.”
Harry Chancey, a League member, a museum educator and instructor with
the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at William & Mary, will speak
on the difference between misinformation and disinformation and walk
through recurring tactics found in authoritarian playbooks throughout
history. These tactics range from politicizing independent institutions
to undermining elections and dissent. No democracy is immune from them.
Drawing on historian Timothy Snyder's lessons on resisting tyranny,
the talk will close with practical, nonpartisan steps League members
can take to defend our precious democratic norms and institutions.
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📖 Book Discussion
Thursday, October 29, 2026 — 4:30 p.m.
At a League member’s home
Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy
by Joyce White Vance. All are welcome.
Contact for location:
lwvwa.communications@gmail.com
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🇺🇸 From Voter Services
Our tabling is nearing its final weeks before the November 3
election. We have been to the large senior communities,
including their independent and assisted living areas.
We have also tabled at the three local high schools and
William & Mary, and partnered with our DEI committee
and other nonpartisan organizations.
The emphasis this year seems to be on voter education as
much as voter registration. There is a striking lack of
knowledge about the three constitutional amendments, so
we have distributed sample ballots and state-provided
explanations everywhere we have been.
Many out-of-state students at William & Mary are
interested in voting by mail from their home states.
We have worked with the City Registrar to provide
guidance on requesting those ballots. Students who
cannot meet their home-state deadlines may need to
consider their Virginia registration options, including
same-day registration.
— adapted from reports of M. Simpson and D. Koch,
Voter Services Co-Chairs
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🎤 Where Are the Candidate Debates?
Why aren't Virginia's congressional candidates
meeting face-to-face with voters? A recent
Virginia Mercury commentary examines
the disappearance of candidate debates and forums,
including our League's unsuccessful effort to
bring together the candidates in Virginia's
1st Congressional District. Our own Denise Koch,
Voter Services Co-Chair, is quoted.
Read the article in Virginia Mercury →
Commentary by Jim Spencer, September 28, 2026.
Free to read.
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DEI team at Parker & Peony Boutique
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From the DEI Committee
Reaching More Voters in Our Community
The League's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(DEI) Committee had a busy September, bringing
voter registration and education tables to
Grove Christian Outreach Food Pantry,
Lafayette Village Senior Community,
Williamsburg Farmers Market,
Nottoway Powwow in Surry, and
James City County Recreation Center.
Four of these were first-time outreach locations.
While no new voters registered, volunteers answered
many questions about the November election.
Sample ballots and VOTE411 cards were especially popular.
This work would not have been possible without
our volunteers, including Anne Allen,
Jane Bansfield, Goldie Duggan, and Brenda Duncan.
— adapted from the October report of J. Whitten,
DEI Committee
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Our Social Media Reach Keeps Growing
In the run-up to the November 3 midterm elections,
our social media feeds have been filled with vital
voter information and updates on voting-related
lawsuits working their way through the courts.
The League of Women Voters newsroom is our source
for this news, and we continue to attract and
engage followers on a steady basis because of it.
At the end of September, we reached a milestone
on Bluesky, logging more than
10,000 followers.
At the same time, our Facebook and Instagram
following continues to increase. Two years ago,
our following was stalled at 700. Today we are
nearing 4,000.
These results are a product of high-performing
posts that are liked and reposted in the hundreds
and often thousands. We will continue the countdown
to Election Day with news and information defending
democracy, empowering and protecting voters.
— adapted from reports of H. Chancey,
Social Media Specialist
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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
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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Get election information at the League’s
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League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area
Follow us on social media
P.O. Box 1086, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1086
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