The League believes that to protect and defend democracy, we must show up persistently. That means attending rallies and protests over and over again. Find locations and information about the upcoming No Kings rallies in or near your community. 

LWVUS Guidance
Be sure to utilize the LWVUS Protest Safety Guidance and Guidance for Leagues About Nonpartisanship and Partnerships. 

The League is a partner for No Kings, so at the rallies please: 

• DO support the League's mission, table at your local event, and wear League shirts and/or League buttons. You may also put the League logo on your signs.
  
  
• When tabling, promoting the rally, discussing the issues, or in your signage DO NOT mention individual names or specify political parties. 

Sign Design Guidance 

Follow the guidance below to create effective signage:

• Use a maximum of 5-7 words for readability.
  
  
• Use high contrasting colors (like black on neon or red on white).
  
  
• Use large letters—make them 3-4 inches tall if possible.
  
  
• Add simple symbols to your signs (such as the "No Kings" crossed-crown, the Statue of Liberty, or the Constitution).

Suggested Sign Wording 
Below are suggested wording for your rally signs—feel free to modify the sign templates from LWV Snohomish County:

• Protect the vote. Protect democracy
• Every Voter. Every Voice. No kings
• ‘We the people’ means all of us
• Your vote is your voice
• Hands Off/Our democracy
• E pluribus unum
• Democracy brings us together
• I support the constitution
• Not on my watch
• Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
• 3 equal branches of government
• No Kings. No Tyrants. No Exceptions
• We The People—Not One Person
• Power Belongs to the People
• Protect the Rule of Law
• Democracy = Rule of Law

Monthly Media Literacy Tip
As with a virus, faulty information is a threat not just to a single individual, but to many people.

Faulty reasoning can accelerate the spread of faulty information. We are all susceptible to manipulation by faulty reasoning when bad actors take advantage of the brain's limited ability to discern fact from fiction in a fast-moving social media environment.  

To resist manipulation by faulty reasoning, it helps to be familiar with common tactics, like scapegoating. That involves blaming huge problems or even smaller ones on a specific group or a specific person when there is no evidence that either the group or person is to blame. 

Two examples of scapegoating: Blaming low voter turnout on a single group of people in a population or singling out one junior engineer for a project’s failure when the project is the work of a team.

If there is no evidence to support a claim, you can dismiss the faulty reasoning and thereby stop the spread of faulty information.

Now Available: Media & News Literacy Workshop Recordings
Are you finding it harder to find the truth within the torrent of information that bombards you every day? If so, we have a great resource for you!

The LWVWA offers recordings of four live workshops that teach media and news literacy skills. No registration is required! Just click on each recording that interests you and listen to it when you want and at your own pace.

We recommend you start your learning experience with our eight-minute Intro to Media and News Literacy video, then look for “Workshop Recordings and Presentations" portion on the Local News and Democracy webpage. The subjects covered are:

• The Power of Critical Thinking 
• Making Sense of Information 
• Techniques Used to Sway Opinion 
• Get to Know Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Click on the presentation that accompanies each workshop recording to get a list of resources that will help you become a savvy consumer of information.

Questions? Contact the Media Literacy and News Education Project team at MediaNewsEd@lwvwa.org.

The LWVWA members responsible for the Media Literacy and News Education Project share a media literacy tip for publication in the monthly Project for Civic Health newsletter. The project, established to foster greater civic health and dialogue, is housed in the office of Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and involves the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, the University of Washington Evans School, and The William D. Ruckelshaus Center. The League's most recent tip is above.

This Washington State legislative session that ended March 12 was the first since the LWVWA adopted its positions on Welcoming Immigrants. The positions allowed the LWVWA to add an immigrants issue chair to its Lobby team: Lydia Zepeda, a co-author of the Welcoming Immigrants study.

Zepeda testified in support of legislation affecting immigrants in Washington State. Six bills that the League endorsed, along with other immigrant rights organizations, passed both chambers of the Legislature. They are on the governor’s desk or have already been signed into law. The successful bills are:

• HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program. There would be no risk to eligibility based on immigration status. The bill calls for multilingual outreach and coordination with community organizations to inform the public.
  
  
• HB 2105 would require employers to notify employees of planned inspections or audits by U.S. Immigration and Customs. The substitute bill would provide more details on dates, narrows the scope somewhat, and outlines AG responsibilities. 
  
  
• HB 2632 would amend the state legal code to remove offensive language, replacing “oriental” with “Asian” to designate a person of Asian descent; and replacing “alien” with “noncitizen.” 
  
  
• SB 5855 would ban the wearing of face masks by local, state and federal law enforcement, and require all law enforcement officers to have identification while conducting operations in the state. It establishes a civil cause of action for people who are detained by law enforcement officers violating the prohibition on facial coverings. 
  
  SB 2355 would ensure that domestic workers, most of whom are immigrant women of color, have the basic rights and protections available to most other workers. These include a minimum wage, a written contract in a language they understand, and privacy and anti-retaliation guarantees. The substitute bill narrowed the definition of babysitter and removed political speech from rights protected by anti-retaliation provisions. 
  
  
• SB 6002 would limit how automated license plate reader (ALPR) data can be used and shared by police agencies. It creates consistent statewide standards for ALPRs. An important change in the substitute bill is that the 72-hour data retention limit was increased to 21 days.

Many worthy bills did not make it through the legislative session, mostly due to budgetary issues. However, our position has been instrumental to advocate for legislation that protects the rights of immigrants. Concurrence with the LWVWA position—that is, making our position a national League position—will enable many Leagues to advocate and lobby for similar protection of immigrants in their communities.

The LWVWA has created a website to further explain the study, the LWVWA position, and the process toward national adoption. The 57th biennial LWVUS Convention will be June 25-28 in Columbus, Ohio.

by Angela Gyurko, Secretary, LWV of Washington

Want to learn how to build graphics that pop? Grab your computer and register for Council 2026 in Lacey, Washington, where Carolyn Stewart will lead a hands-on Canva workshop for any member wanting to learn the software. 

Stewart was a student at Whatcom Community College in 2019 when she first encountered LWV Bellingham-Whatcom members registering voters on campus and cheering them on as they put their ballots in a nearby ballot box. “As time went on and I started talking with more of the volunteers, they asked if I’d be willing to help with their social media posts,” Stewart told me. “I definitely wanted to help, and I’d been using computers since I was ten, so I sat down to teach myself Canva. I had friends who used it, and in addition to the support available through the program, I was able to find blogs and YouTube videos to help me learn.”  

Her volunteer work that year with Bellingham-Whatcom led to an internship with the LWVWA in 2021 working on the push to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. “My biggest struggle with graphics design was figuring out what graphics are both interesting and effective,” Stewart said. “I decided to start collecting graphics that looked effective to me, then I compared those to the graphics LWVUS was providing for the campaign. That’s still how I do it.” 

Stewart has worked with other graphics software, but she finds Canva very approachable. “Canva has a brand standards kit, where you can plug in the League’s specific colors and fonts, then create editable templates. This is how LWVUS does their graphics support to state and local leagues,” she explained. “It keeps the branding consistent, and the local Leagues just need to fill in their specific details.” 

She’s excited to work with League members across the state to get them comfortable with the software. “Opening Canva for the first time can feel overwhelming, and the help options within the program don’t always feel helpful at first.”  

Stewart recommended that workshop participants bring whatever device they will use for Canva at home. The software is available for computers, tablets, and even phones. “Canva on a tablet or phone is a little more challenging, so early users might feel more comfortable starting with a computer.” 

Council 2026 opens on June 6 in Lacey, giving budding graphic artists time to think about what they want out of the Canva workshop. “Think about what you’re trying to accomplish for your League with Canva,” Stewart advised. “Open up the software. Watch some videos about the software. We can work on the rest together when we all get to Council.” 

By Sally Carpenter Hale, Communications Chair, LWV Clark County

Inspirational tales of local heroes were part of “She Did That!,” a Women’s History Month event sponsored by the Clark County League as part of Downtown Vancouver’s First Friday series. The March 6 event brought 119 people to the Clark County Historical Museum for an evening of fun, food and stories.

Washington state League President Karen Crowley delivered the keynote speech, urging attendees to be bold in defending democracy. A spokesman from the League of United Latin American Citizens talked about local efforts to provide immigrants with legal and housing assistance.

Three other speakers told stories about local heroes. Paul Porter of the Clark County  NAACP remembered his grandmother, activist Minnie Porter; archeologist Doug Wilson spoke of the Meti women of Fort Vancouver; and Chinook elder Sam Robinson told the story of his ancestor, Ch'isht. Also known as Catherine Huckswelt, Ch’isht was married to 1851 treaty signer Thomas Huckswelt and was known for her remarkable memory of tribal ancestral trees.

The March 6 event was capped with an entertaining reprise of the “Match Game,” featuring famous women from the 1970s. The “participants” were Shirley Chisholm, Janis Joplin, Gloria Steinem, Phyllis Schafley, Bette Miller, Margaret Thatcher. 

The League provided “Resist Threats to Democracy” resources, a Spin the Wheel game, live music and tamales, chips and salsa. 

In her speech, Crowley urged the audience to counter the daily threats to democracy.

“By demanding federal intervention in state and local elections, the Trump administration is working overtime to create intimidation, chaos and confusion,” she said.

“We need to be bold. We need to name names, call out actors who are behaving in ways that are supremely against our principles. We need to be loud. We need to be visible and unapologetic when speaking truth to power.” 

She urged the crowd to get involved by joining an organization, attending city council and school board meetings, observing local elections—and, most importantly, by voting. 

“Every day there’s another threat, another challenge. So we need to be nimble … and we need to be working in coalition with allies and partners who are doing this work together,” Crowley said

Sen. Maria Cantwell, left, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and Nancy Halvorson, LWVWA board member discuss the threats to democracy posed by the SAVE America Act.

By Dee Anne Finken, Communications Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington

With former Clark County League president Nancy Halvorson and others at her side, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell was in Vancouver Wednesday morning to explain how costly the passage of the SAVE America Act would be for Americans.

“Time, money and maybe even their vote,” Cantwell said at a news conference in the Clark County Elections Office in downtown Vancouver.

Proclaiming the SAVE America Act as misleading and misguided, Cantwell said she would issue a snapshot report in the next day or two detailing the significant harms the bill would create.

But during Wednesday’s brief conference, Cantwell said immediate action is needed in light of President Trump’s insistence that massive fraud exists, necessitating the legislation.

Cantwell invited the League to participate as representative of an organization recognized widely for its commitment to voting and election security. As of press time, Sen. Cantwell had plans to hold another news conference in Seattle on Thursday, to which the League has also been invited. Seattle King County League President Barbara Tengtio is scheduled to speak at that event.

The House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act earlier this month; it is currently under consideration in the Senate.

“We need to fight back,” Cantwell said, adding the bill poses grave harm, particularly for senior citizens, rural voters and working parents, as they would be most hard-pressed to produce the additional documents the act calls for them to produce.   

The bill also would significantly affect individuals who take their spouse’s name when they marry. 

Numerous sources estimate more than 21 million Americans would be unable to present the additional required documents, including marriage certificates and passports.  

What’s more, the bill would take effect immediately, Cantwell said.

Both Cantwell and Halvorson said Trump’s calls to nationalize elections are particularly onerous. 

Halvorson, who served as Co-president of the Clark League from 2020-21; President from 2021-23 and again 2024-25, said, “Let’s be clear:  The SAVE America Act is about restricting access to the ballot and deciding who gets to participate in our democracy. And the League stands in resolute opposition to assaults on our democracy.”

Halvorson used this analogy to address the claims about voter fraud: “A person is more likely to be struck by lightning than they are to commit voter fraud.”  

Cantwell said she was drawn to speak in the Vancouver-Portland area because of the area’s experience with threats to voting. Three ballot boxes in the region were set afire in October 2024. 

Cantwell said federal involvement in elections, particularly by the FBI, should be limited to investigating incidents like that.

Also speaking at the news conference were Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and the Rev. Michael Jones Jr., vice president of the NAACP, Clark County chapter.  
“This is not just a political issue,” Jones said.  “It’s a civil rights issue.” He pointed to the disenfranchisement that resulted from poll taxes and other efforts in the 1950s and ‘60s to block Black Americans from voting.

Halvorson, who is a member of LWVWA board, emphasized the League’s nonpartisan status and reiterated that protecting the right to vote, granted by the U.S. Constitution, is neither solely a Republican or Democratic concern.

The League returns to Lacey, a suburb of Olympia the first weekend June, for its biennial council with “The Power of Us” as its theme. 

Registration is open now. 

Hosted by the state League and with volunteers from South Puget Sound-area Leagues, official proceedings begin Saturday, June 6, with optional activities kicking off June 5. Those activities include a walking tour of the capitol grounds, dine-around dinners and hotel-room caucuses. 

“Think of council as an innovation lab, where members and leaders come together to learn, share and shape the future of the League,” said board member Angela Gyurko, the event’s coordinator.  

With the focus on innovation, Gyurko said members are asked to submit proposals for workshops on topics that will lead to deep discussions at council and actions that members can pursue in their local Leagues when they return.  Proposals are Due by April 15, so please be thinking about submissions now!

“The Power of Us,” Gyurko said, takes a look at our power as individuals and leaders to influence change in our communities; to innovate boldly by empowering voters and defending democracy; and to unify and stand strong with our partners. 

Workshops, caucuses and plenary sessions will be at the South Puget Sound Community College, Lacey campus. Lodging is a 6-minute walk, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey, where the League has reserved a block of rooms; and at nearby Candlewood Suites Olympia/Lacey. 

Eager to involve newer members, event organizers have set a reduced attendance fee—$60—for those who’ve joined the League in the past year, or since June 2025. Early-bird rate for all others is $115 until May 15. After that, it’s $135.  

Included in the registration will be lunch, snacks, happy hour, and buffet dinner on Saturday, and snacks only on Sunday. Coffee, tea, and water will also be provided. Attendees are asked to bring their own coffee cups. 

Twelve volunteers are needed to help onsite and will be able to register at a reduced rate. Email agyurko@lwvwa.org for more information or to volunteer. 

Council will be primarily in person this year, with provisions mostly to allow virtual attendees to view the plenary and workshop sessions and vote. (The early-bird virtual rate is $25 and $35 for regular virtual.) 

Two years ago, council also took place in Lacey. Organizers value the central location and reasonable rates charged for lodging and facilities. 

By Jane McClure, Student Video Contest Committee co-chair, LWV of Washington

If ever there was a time for the LWVWA Annual Student Video Contest to be top of mind in high schools, that time is now.  

The curse of “living in interesting times,” reportedly to be of Chinese origin, is here in challenges to both our constitution and democratic way of life.

Could there be a better time to hear from the next generation of voters? 

The League created the statewide video contest, now in its fourth year, to help develop students’ perspectives about voting. This year’s focus, on election credibility, is intended to spark early engagement in the process and to encourage a lifetime of voting. 

We know instilling those values in young people can lead to higher turnout rates. Students who create content for one another can inspire a culture of voting among peers and family.  

Winners receive cash prizes and, although the awards are modest, all participants can list their involvement on their college applications.  

Additionally, students learn video production, storytelling and persuasive communication; they increase their understanding of voting and democracy issues; and both they and their videos are featured on official election websites and other platforms. 

Community members also benefit because the videos can clarify voting mechanisms, counter election misinformation and increase awareness. 

Contest committee members are in their final push to get students to submit their videos by the May 1 deadline. As a League member, you can help. Because one-to-one contact helps generate interest, we ask you to encourage civic education teachers and others to involve their students. Contact high school students you know and encourage them to develop compelling videos. 

The contest empowers students, fosters civic engagement and cultivates a new generation of informed voters.  

Contest details and resources for students and educators are HERE.

The Everett Herald featured this solid report about the video contest Wednesday morning by Snohomish League President Lisa Utter.

Jane McClure has been a member of the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County since 2018. 

By Karen Crowley, President and Education Committee Portfolio Chair, LWV of Washington

The League is committed to civic education for all ages and at all levels. But here’s a basic truth. If we want to create an informed, engaged electorate and ensure the ongoing health of our democracy, we need to energize today’s students.  

After all, they are tomorrow’s voters. 

Thanks to legislation sponsored by former state Rep. Laurie Dolan, and with robust support from the League, civic education is mandated for all high school graduates in Washington.  

What’s more, the League has created a complete suite of civic learning materials endorsed by the Washington State Council for Social Studies and the Washington State Indian Education Association: “The State We’re In: Washington.”  

The state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Education, too, has adopted the textbooks and has made them available as Open Educational Resources. 

We are proud of these resources. They are the only comprehensive civic education textbooks in Washington that include information on tribal government. We produce textbooks for middle and high school and for grades 3-5, including a Spanish translation. You can explore these books and a full range of supporting materials HERE. 

More than 45 school districts across the state use these resources.It’s time to hear from them. Our Civic Education Committee is working with the public affairs and marketing firm Strategies360 to reach teachers in those 45 districts, as well as home school educators.  

We are asking how teachers feel about the materials, how they use them in the classroom, what works well, what updates would be helpful, and how can we improve. 

We’ve sent our survey to nearly 100 educators. Their input will be critical to expanding the use of these materials—and to developing our long-term plan to sustain and improve them. We will share what we learn with all of you. 

And there is more.  

This March, Education Committee members Bonnie Bless-Boenish and Karen Verrill will attend the Washington Council for the Social Studies spring conference in Tacoma: Narratives of Our Nation: Stories, Strategies, and Skills for the Classroom.  

Crescent School District teacher MacKenzie Maxwell will present a session describing how she uses “The State We’re In: Washington” in her fourth-grade classroom. This project is funded through an Education Fund grant. We look forward to listening and learning from Maxwell.  

Contact Amy Peloff,  apeloff@lwvwa.org , if you have questions about helping to expand the use of “The State We’re In: Washington” into districts in your area.

Responding to this query from the Yakima Immigrant Response Network, League members in Kittitas County are providing second-hand suitcases for immigrant families who’ve had a family member taken into custody.  

Charli Sorenson, Kittitas League vice president, said a YIRN contact explained the suitcases are needed by families relocating closer to where the Department of Homeland Security has sent a loved one. Additionally, if DHS shares details about where a family member has been moved, the suitcases are used to send fresh clothes and other items.   

“Otherwise, the resident is often deported with nothing—no clothes except for what they were arrested in—and with no money,” Sorenson said. 

Sorenson said the initial request from YIRN came shortly before Christmas. “Our members responded with eight suitcases and we agreed to keep collecting them.”  

The following month, another request came—and League members donated eight more.  

“The families have been very happy to receive them,” Sorenson said learned. 

In addition to YIRN, Kittitas League also collaborates on other projects to serve immigrants with the Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement program at Central Washington University and Central Washington Legal Aid.