Next week, Senators Durbin and Warnock will reintroduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA). This important legislation will restore and modernize the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) and ensure that every voter has equal access to the ballot box. Ahead of the reintroduction, I urge you to review our updated toolkit on the VRAA for talking points and action guidance. To mark the VRA’s 60th anniversary on August 6, LWVUS will issue an action alert on the VRAA. Watch our take action page next week to share our action alert!

And as we gear up for local elections this fall, it’s critical to recruit poll workers who can ensure safe, free, and fair elections for all. Since 2020, the League has partnered with Power the Polls, and I’m thrilled to announce we’re continuing this partnership in 2025. Join us on Thursday, August 12 for National Poll Worker Recruitment Day! You can find more information about participating in this day of action, as well as access social media tools and our unique registration link in our toolkit on the League Management Site. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is just the first of many civic holidays coming up this year. If you haven’t already, register for our civic holidays webinar next Tuesday at 3pm ET to learn more about how your League can participate. 

Our League

Over the past three months, you all have worked tirelessly to mobilize and engage voters in Unite & Rise 8.5. Thank YOU for your commitment to protect and preserve our democratic institutions in our fight against authoritarianism. With August just a week away, I know many of you are waiting for the second power playbook, the activation guide that outlines the different calls to action and activities for the next few months. LWVUS will share the second power playbook with League leaders early next week. Look for the new playbook soon on the League Management Site. 

To support Leagues in the second phase of our Unite & Rise initiative, LWVUS is hosting a community call next week at 5pm ET. This is a space to coordinate and brainstorm with national staff and fellow League members on the second power playbook. Register for our community call here, and if you haven’t already, make sure to complete our online commitment form.

Finally, I am excited to announce that this summer, the League is going on tour! We are proud to join Cyndi Lauper on her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, which kicked off last week in Wantagh, NY. Throughout the rest of the summer, partnering Leagues will register concert goers to vote and talk about how to get involved with the League. This past week, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to volunteer with my local League at a concert and meet Cyndi. She loves the League and is passionate about defending democracy! Join the League at a tour stop near you. 

We’ve launched the Unite and Rise Commitment Form to identify who’s ready to stand with the League of Women Voters — in person or virtually — as we prepare for future mobilizations. By signing, individuals commit to supporting the movement and will receive focused updates every 90 days. No spam, no unrelated emails — just the information they need to take action when it matters most. 

This form is open to everyone who believes in our mission — not just League members — but we hope every League member will be among the first to sign and share. Here’s how you can help: 

Together, we can build a movement that’s ready to rise when the moment calls. Let’s make sure no one is left out.