Skip to main content

Update your interests (login first!)
Update member information

Join Us Donate

  
Date: 5/15/2025
Subject: LWV Bellingham/Whatcom - The Voter, May 2025
From: League of Women Voters Bellingham/Whatcom County


The Voter may

The League Takes Action
I hope you were able to make it to one of the protests on May 1st! 

We can expect more calls for these rallies or protests. In April, LWVUS declared that we are in the midst of a Constitutional crisis after the Trump Administration's actions in its first 87 days. 

And on May 1, LWVUS launched the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative, which aims to mobilize 8.5 million voters using the power of voter engagement as a cornerstone of our democracy. This goal comes from research that shows that nonviolent protests engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
 
Showing up will make an impact. And we plan to continue our efforts locally. We are looking for help to organize rallies, we need a leader. Join the effort today. 

Don't Miss Our Annual Meeting
Please save the date for our annual member meeting! We will be celebrating our work from the past year,  kicking off the 2025-2026 business year, and hosting an inspirational speaker. 
 

Save the date now for June 28, 10:00 – 12:00 at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. 

 

Is it Time to Renew Your Membership?
Many long-time League members have June 30 as their expiration date.  You should have received your first renewal reminder by email like this:
From:  Membership 
Subject:  Renew Your League of Women Voters Membership

Your renewal notice includes a link to your record in the LWVUS member database, and you'll renew there.  If you can't find your notice, click here.

Recommended dues are $75, but you can choose your own dues amount (minimum $20).  A portion of your dues will support LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County.  If you want more to go to the local League, there will be an opportunity do so after you select your dues amount.

Thank you for supporting the League of Women Voters!

Take Action: Objective News Under Threat
The White House has issued an Executive Order proposing the elimination of federal funding in its annual budget request for the Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). It is time to defend our freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
 
Take action today to stand up for credible local journalism. 

Special Message on the SAVE Act
What is the SAVE Act and why is it bad for voting?
 
The SAVE Act, passed by the US House of Representatives on April  10 would mandate that voters show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, such as a passport, REAL ID, birth certificate or other similar document.
 
The SAVE Act, and President Trump’s similar executive order, are supposed to be about fighting (non-existent) fraud, but in fact would make voting more difficult. 

Supporting Immigrants in Whatcom County

Now more than ever the importance of understanding how our county is responding to increased ICE activity, deportations and family separations in the community is clear. 

 

Local LWV members have gathered to find ways you can learn more about the current situation and offer your support.  

Healthcare Issues: Palliative Care in Whatcom County
Don't miss updates from Jon Scalon, Whatcom County Council member, on changes being considered for the County Board of Health May 19. 
 
Jon and Carol Frazey, a former Council member, will provide information about the pros and cons of changes.  Bring your questions! 

Former Bellingham Mayors Reminisce
Legacy of Leadership
Former Bellingham mayors Ken Hertz, Tim Douglas, and Mark Asmundson shared stories about the challenges and successes they experienced during their terms at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center in April.
 
If you missed it, you can watch BTV's recording on YouTube.

Building Bridges: A Community Dialogue with Local Police Officers
If you missed it, catch the recording of our conversation with local police officers on topics from oaths of office, training, and equity and inclusion.

Upcoming Events

Don't Miss Coffee & Happy Hour
6/11 | Coffee 10-11:30 am at COF& | Happy Hour 5-6:30 pm at Wander Brewing| More Info

  • 5/16 | Coffee in Action | More Info
  • 5/19 | Who Should Sit on the Whatcom County Health Board? | More Info
  • 5/28 | Book Group to talk about Tyranny, Autocracy, and Threats to Democracy | More Info
  • 6/28 | Annual Member Meeting | More Info

LWV Book Group
Book Group April

Book group members will tackle the weighty topics of tyranny, autocracy and threats to democracy at our May 28 meeting, focusing on two books.

 

 Our selected books are Autocracy, Inc. the Dictators Who What to Run the World by Anne Applebaum and On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder. 

 
 Don't miss the conversation! 

New! Look for us on...

Bluesky Threads
Bluesky Threads

Welcome New Members 

The League would like to welcome our newest members:

 
Marjorie Wenrich
Sophia Dwyer
Elizabeth Boyle
Jacqueline Ogden
Rozlind Koester
Liza Okan
Amoret Heise
Judith Fey
Sharmon Figenshaw
Lola Jacobson
Mayalana Hartford

Help the League do Our Work

Make a Donation | Volunteer Your Time | Stay Informed

LWVBWC thanks The Voter editors, Theresa Kingma and Becca Verda
Return to Previous Page

PO Box 4041 Bellingham, WA  98227-4041
360-305-3523
Contact us