"Thank Election Heroes Day of Action" on April 12 

Americans across race, place, and party believe in the freedom to decide for themselves who represents them. In the face of a pandemic, Americans turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots and make their voices heard. Election workers are essential workers—like nurses, grocery store workers, letter carriers, and firefighters, our democracy would not function without them (or you). During the deadly pandemic, election workers put their lives on the line to do their jobs, allowing us to cast our votes safely and securely. Then they worked overtime to count every vote so that our voices could be heard. Despite all of this, in some places they are facing extreme pressure and are under attack. 

Join the LWVUS on Tuesday, April 12 for a “Thank Election Heroes Day of Action.” Alongside partners from Public Citizen, Leadership Conference, and Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, we will show our support for local election workers and honor them for their dedication to ensuring our elections run smoothly. It is our opportunity to thank them and to shine a light on the work they do.  

Taking action can be done in a number of ways and can take many forms, depending on your locality. The LWVUS is hosting two calls to learn more about how your League can be involved: 

Sunday, April 3, 5 p.m. PT, Movement Call: Learn about election workers' dedication and the hard work they have done throughout the pandemic and how you can host a "Thank Election Heroes" event, either in-person or virtually. 

Wednesday, April 6, 4:30 p.m. PT, Host Call: Learn ways to make your “Thank Election Heroes” event as impactful as possible, whether it’s in-person or virtual. 

For Your Reading Pleasure 

Two years ago this month, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Our lives—and the way we vote—completely changed. Mail-in and early voting were not only successful counters to pandemic restrictions but made voting accessible for all. We must not turn back. We must continue to fight to protect accessible voting practices. Learn more on what COVID-19 taught us about making voting accessible. 

With the new year comes more litigation. In the past year, the League has continued its work fighting anti-voter bills and purges, challenging new district maps, and pushing back against the increased attacks on reproductive rights. Here are a handful of the issues you may want to keep an eye on in 2022.  

Across the United States, we are experiencing the dramatic impact of climate change—severe droughts and wildfires in the West, unprecedented high-water levels and erosion in the Great Lakes, and rising sea levels with resulting floods and saltwater incursion in the East. Read about climate change threats to food and water. 

LWVUS Sends ERA Memo to U.S. House 

In a memo to the U.S. House of Representatives, LWVUS CEO Virginia Kase urged the House to co-sponsor H.R. 891, affirming the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA passed Congress in 1972, and in January 2020 Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment, meeting the three-fourths state ratification requirement. 

LWV of Texas Submits Testimony to U.S. House Subcommittee 

The LWV of Texas submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. House Administration committee’s Subcommittee on Elections that included stories from Texas voters about the issues they faced in the recent primary following the enactment of S.B. 1, the new law governing Texas elections that had negative consequences for voter access in the state. The LWV of Texas statement was submitted as part of a hearing on “Ensuring Free and Fair Access to the Ballot in Texas.” The lengthy statement includes enlightening testimony from Texas voters.