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The Path Forward in Hyper-Partisan Times As I visit with League members around the state, one type of question is often repeated.  "Isn't it time we vociferously call out anti-democracy actions and definitively attribute them to the perpetrators by their common affiliation or shared identity?"  It is easy when faced with transparently unreasoned, callous, or unjust behavior to justify stating our facts and truth with judgement and blame.  We are better than that.  The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) provides us the strategies and tools on how to lead with non-partisanship and civil discourse  in these hyper-partisan times.  Each quarter through the midterm elections the LWVUS Unite and Rise 8.5  initiative provides a detailed playbook for specific action supporting the campaigns goal to reach 8.5 million new voters, 112,000 in Oregon. The League of Women Voters non-partisan and civil discourse credo call on each of us to rise above the fray, to focus on our informed positions, the facts, and to reach out to those willing to listen and to learn.  Arguing with the ill-informed and intractable simply gives voice to their position.  We go the other way, we register, inform and empower voters, not enflame the fooled or ill intended.  Nearly a third of registered Oregon voters did not vote in the last general election. They need support, motivation and facts they can rely on, and they are our audience.  In most every hyper-partisan circumstance or disagreement, facts speak clearly for themselves. Communicating facts with the intent to grow collective understanding is often the best path to common ground.  Impassioned argument, opinion or emotional pleas have their place but aren’t as proven as civil dialog using repeated data and transparently verifiable facts. Neurolinguistics studies show on average people need to hear something seven times before it informs notable change in their perception or belief, much less behavior.  And we want them to vote!  So, let us not expend energy arguing with those who are ill-informed, ill-intended or unwilling to listen or learn.  We are better served to focus on mobilizing the educable.  Nearly a third of Oregon registered voters did not vote in the past general election.  The unmotivated, periodic or disaffected non-voters deserve our undivided attention.  LWVUS Unite and Rise 8.5  strategy has four pillars supporting quarterly playbooks or action plans, check them out and motivate your League to take them on. The legal and policy advocacy pillar asks us to challenge unconstitutional actions, to fight voter suppression and demand protections of due process.  Mobilizing the public and building coalitions is the pillar that calls on us to raise our collective voice by collaborating with others defending democracy.  Civic education and engagement through outreach campaigns can be leveraged by the two previous pillars where we call out anti-democracy and reach new audiences through allies.  And, the last pillar calls on us to shore up our democracy infrastructure for democracy resilience.  Our voter service, communications, advocacy and observer corps are just such actions.  Advocacy for legislative or legal support of democracy is another way to improve and support our institutions resiliency.   For over 105 years LWVOR has forged this path. It is the path we are on and it’s the same one going forward. It’s not about doing more as much as about how we forge ahead.  It’s time to do a little paving.  We will administratively support our volunteers so more of their heartfelt and informed effort is placed on reaching that 8.5 million new voices of democracy.  We can effectively leverage allies and collaborate to reach a broader audience.  We will use the resources in Unite and Rise quarterly playbooks to amplify and make the Leagues message more consistent and repeated nationwide. We will continue to hold elected officials at all levels of government and private institutions accountable to justice and the rule of law through observer corps, holding public forums on critical issues, reviewing, educating and advocating for just legislation, and yes, filing suit in courts of law in support of democracy.  This is the path that traditionally provides us a respected non-partisan voice of practicality, reason, justice, equity and principle.  We will prevail, hope is not a strategy, it’s what happens when you’ve got one, and we do.   "It's easier to fool one than to convince them they've been fooled. Get to them before they’re fooled.”  - Samuel Clemons In League, Mark Kendall LWVOR President

Date : January 13, 2026 To : All LWVOR members From : Mark Kendall, LWVOR President Jean Pierce, LWVOR Action Chair Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator TAKE ACTION:   Contact your State Legislators   ( Click here to find your legislators )  RSVP   for the February 5 rally in Salem DEADLINE: ASAP T ALKING POINTS Protect families, not the ultra-wealthy. Oregon can recover over $700 million by rejecting the federal tax giveaways to mega-corporations and the ultra-rich—money that should go to schools, health care, housing, and other services working families rely on. Cuts are a choice—and the wrong one. Across-the-board cuts would hit working families, kids, seniors, rural communities, and people with disabilities hardest, even as everyday costs keep rising. We shouldn’t balance the budget on the backs of those already struggling. Disconnecting from the federal tax code is the solution. Oregon’s automatic tie to the federal tax code makes us especially vulnerable to the federal giveaways, costing up to $900 million next biennium. Strategically disconnecting protects vital services and reflects Oregon's values of fairness and shared responsibility.   For more information: 2 025 LRO document on effects of HR 1 Oregon Legislative Revenue Office Thomson Reuters Questions? Contact  lwvor@lwvor.org .

Every December, we replace our Monthly Highlights with a roundup of the biggest stories and resources of the year, followed by steps you can take to defend democracy in the months to come! Keep reading for a recap of one of the most tumultuous years in our democracy’s history. Breaking: Your Most-Read News Stories March 2025 — President Trump’s Anti-Voter Election Order : President Trump’s “plainly unlawful” Executive Order would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, prohibit the counting of absentee and mail ballots received after Election Day, and give the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) the authority to review states’ voter rolls. Through litigation, the League permanently blocked the provision that purported to require documentary proof of citizenship to register using the federal registration form. April 2025 — A Constitutional Crisis : LWV declared that the US was in a constitutional crisis and launched the campaign Unite and Rise 8.5 to mobilize voters in defense of democracy. September 2025 — USCIS Suppresses New Citizen Voters: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released revised policy guidance barring nonpartisan organizations (like LWV) from registering voters at naturalization ceremonies. In November 2025, the League filed a federal lawsuit against USCIS, seeking to block the policy change. September 2025 — LWV and Partners Sue Trump to Protect Private Voter Data : LWV, LWVVA, LWVLA, and partners filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s creation of an expanded data system  consolidating personal information without consent or advance notice. April 2025 — The SAVE Act Passes the House : The House passage of the anti-voter SAVE Act  was a “direct attack on the fundamental right to vote" and a “dangerous step backward for our democracy.” Required Viewing: Your Favorite Blogs, Videos, and More BLOGS : The topics you were most interested in learning about this year included why we oppose voter ID laws , whether the SAVE Act  is a trick (it is), how the Electoral College  works, and the role of DEI in our democracy . VIDEOS : We launched our Unite and Rise 8.5 web series , interviewing leaders in the democracy space about young voters, resistance to unjust government, the longstanding relationship between faith and advocacy communities, and more! VOTE411 : 2025 marked 19 years of our bilingual voting resource, VOTE411.org ! During the fall elections, more than 2 million people used VOTE411 to register to vote, view candidate guides, get polling place info, and more. SOCIAL MEDIA:  We launched on Threads  and Bluesky ! 2026 Resolutions: Ways to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy Unite and Rise : Join our campaign to defend our democracy and protect the freedom to vote. Become a Poll Worker : Empower your community to make their voices heard! You’ll even get paid for your service. Contact Your Representatives : Reach out on the issues that matter most. Find your representatives’ contact information , or use our Action Alerts to email them about voting rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, interference in DC politics, and more! Join the League : Become a part of your state or local League to register voters, support civic education, take action on local issues, and more!

Each year, we receive a reminder that our League of Women Voters membership dues are due. Many of you pay diligently and faithfully, and it’s natural to wonder: Are we really making a difference? Is my contribution truly helping? I’d like to share some facts about the meaningful work the League is doing, thanks in part to your support. The 2024 Election Impact Report , recently shared with members, highlights the League’s accomplishments in protecting voter rights, defending democracy, and collaborating with partners across the country. In 2024 alone, the League generated: • 30 million voter contacts • 9.38 million voters’ rights protected through litigation • 9.19 million users receiving trusted election information through VOTE411.org • Nearly 70,000 voter-to-voter conversations encouraging civic participation I encourage you to read the full impact report - it’s inspiring. As many of you know, litigation is extremely costly, and this year the League has had to defend against numerous attacks on voting rights and democratic processes. These legal battles occur not only at the national level, but also across many states. Recently, for example, the League and its partners rallied for fair maps as the Supreme Court heard Louisiana v. Callais. This inspired me to explore the League of Women Voters’ legislation page, where I discovered a long list of both ongoing and completed cases. Here are just a few: • Challenge to Federal Executive Order the Required Proof of Citizenship to Vote (April 2025) • Defense Against DOJ Voter Data Demands • Class Action Lawsuit Against Data Collection (Sept. 2025) • Challenge to North Carolina Post-Election Rules These cases represent only a portion of the League’s work. Across the country, the League—often in partnership with other organizations is actively defending voting rights and strengthening our democracy. It has been a very busy year. You can explore these cases on the League of Women Voters Legal Center web page. I hope that, after reviewing this information, you feel confident knowing how your membership dollars are being used. Every penny you contribute helps protect and uphold the democratic values we all cherish. Maggie VanDame Transformation Chair LWV Rogue Valley

Oregon Civics Conference OSME Presentation Feedback Dec 5, 2025, in Salem Hosted by Civics Learning Project The 2025 Oregon Civics Conference was held on December 5. Mimi Alkire (Oregon Student Mock Election Chair) and Diana DeMaria (Youth Outreach Chair) were part of the full day’s tabling, sharing one-on-one with teachers about Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME). Mimi was also a co-presenter for a session about OSME with Urmila Baruah, Salem-Keizer School District Social Studies TOSA. Here is the feedback from social studies teachers from across the state who attended the session. Summary Teachers discovered extensive ready-made support for mock elections through the Oregon League of Women Voters, with many surprised to learn they don't have to create materials from scratch and can scale beyond individual classrooms to district- wide initiatives. The session provided concrete toolkits including ballots, candidate information sheets, and implementation guides that reduce teacher preparation burden while creating authentic voting experiences for students. Key Takeaways and Themes Authentic Civic Experience : Teachers valued the hands-on, realistic approach of setting up voting stations, using actual ballots, and assigning student roles as poll workers and observers—moving beyond theoretical discussion to experiential learning that mirrors real democratic processes and increases likelihood of future voter participation. Nonpartisan Framework Appreciated : The League of Women Voters reputation for nonpartisanship resonated with teachers seeking ways to engage students in elections education without appearing biased. Notable Quote “This session reinforced my belief that students need concrete, experiential opportunities to understand democratic processes. It also challenged me to think about how election education can be truly nonpartisan while still deeply engaging and empowering for students.”

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At this time of the year, we celebrate our contributions and herald the possibilities for the new year. Traditionally on the cusp of the new year, we commit to plans for renewal. This was a daunting year of navigating external chaos in addition to internal staffing changes, new leadership, and other new demands on our time. And yet - we have accomplished so very much. We have continued to produce national class, researched, and nonpartisan issue advocacy . Voter registration and education work proceeds in spite of federal government interference locally. Our statewide Observer Corps are reviewing more local and regional public meetings than ever. Our youth programs in Youth Council, mock elections (OSME) and alongside the Girl Scouts received LWVUS appreciative attention.   We've weathered the transition to a national membership and dues portal .  We completed the LWVOR 2025-30 Strategic Plan and finished a substantial update to our Policies and Procedures. We filed an Amicus Brief in support of the challenged Ballot Measure 114 in the Oregon Supreme Court.  We filed another Amicus Brief in support of Oregon voter privacy protections and that case goes to trial next week on 14 January at 9:00 in Federal District court. in Eugene.  And due to staffing changes, we did all this with less full time equivalent staff than our historical average.  We are capable, formidable, yet taxed. In 2025, the LWVOR Board logged over 7,700 hours of volunteer service!   In order to begin to address growing capacity needs, we are right in the middle of the process of hiring a new Communications and Marketing Coordinator.  The New Year holds lots of promise and excitement for the League in Oregon. Our Budget Committee is beginning a couple months of planning for our future and, on May 16th, we will deliberate their proposal at our hybrid Council Meeting. The Human Resources Committee will also weigh in on the Leagues path forward.  We have taken to heart the call to step up to the challenges to democracy through our self assessment and strategic planning. A wise person told me hope is not a strategy, hope is what you get when you have one.  LWVOR is developing a plan for these times.  You will hear more details of this plan in the coming months. I, for one, am looking forward to a bold and exciting new year.  It will be a well reasoned adventure. In League, Mark Kendall LWVOR President

Robin Tokmakian, LWV Portland The United Nations Conference of the Parties 30 (COP30) on Climate Change is finally over... Most of the week was devoted to finalizing text, which took too many late nights for the negotiations and ministers.  Along the way, there was a fire, a “people’s COP”, large disagreements, and finally an outcome that many were not happy with. Much of the negotiations were behind closed doors so they are difficult to summarize. Here are some things I took note of, in no particular order and far from comprehensive.  First: the fire. A fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in one of the pavilions.  Everyone was evacuated from the space and our LWV Observers exited safely.   The venue was closed until Friday morning, which caused delay.  The only injuries were a few people suffering smoke inhalation problems.  See the article below about the fire. The video is very dramatic! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2025/nov/20/cop30-live-news-updates-belem-brazil-president-lula Actions by NGOs : One action stood out to me. A group of youths formed the “Carbon Market in an End-of-the-World-Market”  The participants stood around carrying trays (like at a baseball game selling hotdogs) “selling” items labeled as:  Imaginary trees to achieve perfect reports without worrying about actual reduction in emissions Soap for greenwashing and cleaning up the a company’s reputation  Tractor to run over the rights of local communities Eucalyptus spray for using the mono-culture as carbon models    On Friday, there was a “People’s COP” run by the various NGO constituencies (Youth, Women, Environment, Labor, Disabled, Indigenous Peoples).  There was lots of anger about all of the wars in the world and how they compound the push for a greener world.  All speakers were very passionate.  It makes it hard to see any good in the world. And, once again, it was pointed out the the developed world has no problem spending trillions on war but not on addressing climate issues.  Negotiations : The exploitation of mineral extraction in the developing countries is being moved to the forefront.   It didn’t make the final text but the increasing need for these minerals in EVs is driving the conversation.   In the end, the delegates agreed to a higher funding level, but not until 2035!! (It was 2030 before.) The Arab Group (and its sister group the like-minded Developing Countries, run by Saudi Arabia) and Russia were strongly opposed to much of the efforts for a more ambitious outcome.  They blocked a specific outcome on fossil fuels. In the final plenary , the President of the COP quickly gaveled (approved) the texts without letting countries interrupt.  At the end of one section, many countries from Latin America, along with Switzerland and the EU, complained that the text approved was different than that agreed to in the early morning hours.  The plenary was suspended but in the end, nothing changed. Much of the concern was related to the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).  The text initially contained a list of 100 adaptation indicators that had been agreed to (for the most part) over several years. The text presented at the plenary contained only 50 or so. The change had not been discussed and upset many.   The 1.5°C goal was reiterated somewhat in the text, along with reference to the “best available science” in many locations of the approved texts.  There was no official sign-off on a roadmap for eliminating fossil fuels or a roadmap to address deforestation.  Unofficially, the COP president (from Brazil) said he would gather people in the coming year to address these two topics.  There was lots of clapping in the room for this proposal, but it seems to me that it may go nowhere.  Robin Tokmakian, LWVUS UN Observer for Climate

📇  Roster Upgrades Two helpful enhancements are now live: The roster is searchable by  preferred full name  and supports  partial searches with an asterisk  (e.g., kath* will return Kathy, Katherine, Kathryn, etc.). A new  Auto-Renew  column shows which members are enrolled in automatic renewal—useful when doing renewal outreach, as these members can be skipped. 🕊️  Deceased Members Visibility Members marked as deceased and active within the last four years now appear in the  Inactive  roster view, reducing confusion when records seem to disappear. Deceased members are  excluded from email sends  when using  Inactive Within Last 4 Years . To report or correct a deceased status, use the three-dot menu on the roster or email  membership@lwv.org . 📘  Admin Guide Access & Other Improvements Several small updates were made to improve usability: The  Admin Guide  is now linked in more places, including the League home tile view and directly within Support Articles. State League admins can now view  all roster views  for local Leagues and export from that screen. Pending Payments  exports now include the  date column  shown on screen. State leaders can now see  officers of Member-at-Large units  in the Local League Officer list. 🎁  Gift Memberships Online  gift memberships  are now available! Members can purchase a gift by logging into the portal and clicking  Gift  in the  Grow Our Community  box. Any League may be selected; dues start at  $20 . Use the recipient’s existing portal email to avoid duplicates. Leagues receive standard new-member notifications, recipients get welcome emails, and purchasers will be reminded when it’s time to renew the gift. 🔗  Merging ClubExpress Records A fix is in place for duplicate records caused by renewals using a different email address. When duplicates are reported,  LWVUS will now preserve the original account identifiers  and update the original ClubExpress record. Leagues should then  drop the new ClubExpress record , avoiding loss of teams or permissions.Contact LWVUS if issues persist. 🔄  Renewal Issues Resolved Two renewal problems were corrected: A join/renew form loading error has been fixed. Renewal reminders sent with a broken link were followed by a  corrected email  to affected members. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

⭐LWV of Clackamas County  LWV of Clackamas County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Coos County  LWV of Coos County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Corvallis  LWV of Corvallis Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Curry County LWV of Curry County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Deschutes County   LWV of Deschutes County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Klamath County   LWV of Klamath County Events  ⭐LWV of Lane County  LWV of Lane County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Lincoln County  LWV of Lincoln County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Linn County Unit  LWV of Linn County Unit Facebook page ⭐LWV of Marion and Polk Counties  LWV of Marion and Polk Counties Events Page ⭐LWV of Portland  LWV of Portland Website ⭐LWV of Rogue Valley  LWV of Rogue Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Union County Unit LWV of Union County Unit Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Umpqua Valley LWV of Umpqua Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Washington County Unit  LWV of Washington County Unit Facebook page

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

👥 Second Member Notifications Notifications sent when someone joins on behalf of a second  person are temporarily missing the second member’s name. ChapterSpot is working on a fix. Once resolved, Leagues will receive an update listing any second members they were not notified about during the outage. 🛠️ Minor Portal Upgrades Several small improvements were made in response to League feedback: When entering a check payment, the member search now includes Inactive  members. Files in League Resources  now display in alphabetical order . The Household  screen has been removed to avoid confusion (household memberships no longer exist). New/renewing member notices now include a direct link to the member’s contact info  in the portal. These notices now come from noreply@lwv.org 💵 Outstanding Pending Check Payments LWVUS is building an automated system to clear unreceived check payments. The process (partially implemented) will work like this: At 60 days , Leagues will be notified that the check has not been received and will be removed at 90 days. At 90 days , the pending payment will be removed, and the member’s expiration date will revert to its prior date.Currently, only the 60- and 90-day notification emails  are active. A corrected notification email was issued after early versions were sent without member names. ✉️ Dues Paid by Check — New Notification System Check-processing notifications have changed: Instead of a weekly batch email, Leagues now receive one email per check , listing the member’s name and invoice number. When the League’s portion is sent, Bill.com  will email a list of included invoice numbers. This supports faster deposits  and clearer tracking. Direct deposit status is now visible in the portal (League Profile): Direct Deposit Active  → Your League can receive payments via Bill.com . Direct Deposit Inactive  → Setup is needed; contact bclark@lwv.org . Unavailable  → LWVUS has not received dues checks for your League since the system launched. 📁 League Resources Reminder Documents uploaded to League Resources  should be considered public . This feature is not secure file storage—only use it for documents intended to be shared with members. 📧 Emailing All Members The portal email tool now includes an “All Active Members”  recipient option. This allows you to email your entire active roster without selecting multiple segments. All other audience filters (e.g., expiration windows) remain available. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Date: October 28, 2025 To: All LWVOR Members From: Mark Kendall, LWVOR President Jean Pierce, LWVOR Advocacy Chair TAKE ACTION:   1.  Contact your Congressional legislators  to end the shutdown while protecting Healthcare: Fight to end the government shutdown and at the same time extend  Affordable Care Act subsidies (affecting more than 340,000 Oregonians) Pressure the USDA to release the SNAP contingency funds Congress approved for November and to supplement it with other funds. Hunger should not be a political tool (affecting 757,000 Oregonians) Feed our neighbors who are affected by the shutdown: Find Oregon Department of Human Services food resources  or Oregon food bank  near you and learn what they need now – money or food – to address unmet needs from SNAP. DEADLINE: end of October BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The shutdown is about a disagreement on the budget bill which has largely been about whether to extend the set-to-expire Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits to protect health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. While outside of the budget itself, if Congress doesn’t extend these subsidies, an estimated 7.3 million people could lose their ACA coverage, 4.8 million of whom could become entirely uninsured in 2026. Millions of others would have to pay more for insurance coverage, resulting in financial hardship for many. This will extend the hurt that many families are already feeling. If the shutdown continues into November, Oregon has warned that benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) could be delayed to 757,000 people. LEAGUE POSITION:   Persons who are unable to work, whose earnings are inadequate, or for whom jobs are not available have the right to an income and/or services sufficient to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and access to health care.

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

PORTLAND AND WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters of Oregon and the League of Women Voters of the US issued the following joint statement in response to the deployment of the National Guard in Portland.    “Portland — a city recognized nationally for its civic activism, creativity, and commitment to democratic values — is now subject to an unjustified deployment of federal troops. This action undermines local authority and threatens the very freedoms our democracy is meant to protect.    “Neither the Governor of Oregon nor city leaders requested this intervention. No emergency exists in Portland that warrants federal deployment. Instead, this move represents yet another instance of political retaliation aimed at silencing diverse, engaged communities who exercise their right to free expression.    “The presence of the National Guard will not bring safety or stability to Portland. Instead, it escalates fear, erodes trust, and places communities — particularly Black, brown, immigrant, and Indigenous residents who have historically borne the brunt of state overreach — at greater risk.    “Portland has long been a city where people gather to speak out, advocate for justice, and demand accountability from their government. To answer civic participation with militarization is a dangerous misuse of federal power. What Portlanders need is investment in community safety, affordable housing, and public health — not troops in their streets.    “The League calls on the Oregon congressional delegation to condemn the weaponization of the federal military and stand up for the people of Portland. We commend Oregon government officials for taking legal action against this unjust occupation."  Contact: lwvor@lwvor.org 503-581-5722 League of Women Voters of Oregon

Dear League members, In the first three weeks of my tenure as President of the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) , there have been no fewer than four legitimate concerns which call for a timely, accurate, clear and principled response which conforms with our state and the national League of Women Voters’ (LWVUS) adopted positions.  Amicus Brief: Measure 114 for Gun Safety Last week, I authorized signing on to an amicus brief on Oregon Ballot Measure114, pending before the Oregon Supreme Court, expressing our strong interest.  This summer the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of Ballot Measure 114, a gun safety measure approved by Oregon voters in the November 2024 general election.  That decision is being appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court.  LWVOR published an amicus brief in the first challenge in the Appeals Court.  The Brief submitted this week, with the exception of the court to which it's addressed, is identical to its predecessor and supports Oregon voters’ initiative petition rights.  In this case, time is of the essence to respond  to the Court, and to maintain solidarity with allies protecting Oregonians’ voting rights.  Defending Voter Rights in Oregon The three federal matters include a voter’s right to privacy, legal authority of the executive branch to deploy military on US soil, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) denying the League of Women Voters and other non-governmental civic organizations the right to register and inform new citizens of their voting rights at administrative naturalization ceremonies on USCIS properties.  In this case, LWVOR worked with LWVUS to determine that the policy does not restrict our ability to register newly-naturalized citizens at other locations.  Oregon’s Governor, Hon. Tina Kotek, and our Secretary of State, Tobias Read, were sued on September 16 by the US Department of Justice to compel them to submit to the federal government detailed voter registration records which the State has no authority to release and the Federal government has no Constitutional basis to request.  Voters in Oregon and across the nation have a constitutional right to privacy. Protection from such an inquiry in violation of the Constitution is a national issue that deserves our full attention.  The Action Committee has formed an issue statement and, with my approval, sought advice on next steps from LWVUS Litigation.   Letters to State Leaders: National Guard Deployment In addition, the Executive Branch of the federal government has deployed the US military in the form of several states' National Guard units to police Los Angeles, the District of Columbia, and Memphis.  The Executive Branch is allowed such deployment decisions under specific legal authority.  The Executive Branch has targeted a number of cities across the nation in which a similar deployment is being considered, including Portland, Oregon.  In this case, states’ rights appear to be abridged by the violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.  This is a matter both of states’ rights and also possibly of military suppression of free speech. LWVOR has asked the Governor and the Attorney General to ensure that the state has strong guardrails regarding the deployment of the National Guard.       It is the League’s right and obligation to challenge any and all insults to civil and voting rights in this country.  Voting rights are a cornerstone, if not a pillar, of democracy for which the League of Women Voters is uniquely positioned to be a non-partisan voice of citizens in support of our constitutional democracy.   In League, Mark W. Kendall LWVOR President Consulted and Other Resources: https://www.lwvor.org/post/action-alert-oppose-hr-9495-protect-nonprofit-free-speech-and-due-process https://www.lwv.org/blog/what-you-need-know-about-national-guard-insurrection-act-and-martial-law https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-denounces-national-guard-deployment-memphis-dangerous https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-statement-uscis-policy-restricting-voter-registration

Our new LWVOR President, Mark Kendall, began his term on September 1. We’re happy to share his introductory remarks to League members below. Dear members, It is with humility and honor that I have accepted this opportunity to coordinate the efforts of and provide leadership for the League of Women Voters of Oregon.  As a League colleague said, these are “very unprecedented times”.  My motivation is derived from concern for the viability of our democratic system of governance, seeing decades of progressive social reform overturned and looking into the eyes of my 12 year-old granddaughter as I see her civil rights being eroded and abridged on a daily basis.  This unconscionable transformation of our democracy must not stand. It is contrary to the League's core principles and adopted positions.   My objectives in this appointment are to; 1) amplify the League's voice both in Oregon and as empowered nationally, consistent with the “one voice” condition supported by rigorous consensus positions, 2) faithfully and vigorously implement the Oregon LWV Board strategic plan that focuses on eight priorities many of which are of perennial interest to our members across Oregon, 3) champion the ongoing excellence of the League of Women Voters of Oregon core mission contributions to voters rights, equity, inclusion, civil rights, social justice, and 4) provide leadership of transparent, nimble, accountable and actionable governance.    I can’t promise more at this juncture.  We have daunting tasks ahead.  It's not that we have to do more, we define principled social justice action in all our works, we simply need to grow alignment, grow our ranks, amplify our very resonant messages, and engage in strategic meaningful influence with allies, of which there are many.  With that I can help. Mark Kendall began serving as LWVOR President on September 1, 2025. LWVOR is up to these tasks and challenges.  In just a couple weeks of networking and stepping into this role, I am buoyed by our remarkable capacity.  The Board and committees are wrapping up the planning and preparation of a multi-year strategic plan.  What serendipity to begin to lead from our best thinkers’ new plans.  LWVUS is just now initiating the Unite and Rise campaign to broaden our reach.  And the Oregon Membership and Communications committees are already well coordinated and underway. And how opportune that LWVOR is now recruiting for a state-wide membership chair! With Unite and Rise underway, increased interest in membership, and a new unit in Union County, our new Membership chair will start with the tools and momentum to be successful from the start.   Ongoing work is vibrant as well.  Our able Action committee continues to rigorously study state-level legislation and support coalition partners in statewide campaigns. Our Voter Service team engages candidates and researches measures all while informing our electorate in our trusted nonpartisan way.  Nonpartisan voter registration work is being challenged nationwide and we are stepping up commensurate to those challenges.  The Oregon Youth Council is vibrant, growing and its leadership recognized nationally.  Allied associations with common interests, complimentary capabilities and influence of their own are reaching out and inviting our council and collaboration.    We have reason for hope.  We can, we will, we are.  With that I too can help.   Mark W. Kendall, President, League of Women Voters of Oregon

Save the Date for Fall Workshop The LWVOR Voter Service Committee is proud to sponsor the 2025 Fall Workshop! This event will take place from 10am to 2:30pm on Saturday, November 1st in-person in Eugene, OR, and virtual on Zoom.  Registration and agenda details coming soon . Learn from speakers and each other about: Voter engagement Youth outreach LWVUS's Unite & Rise Engaging underserved communities in voting How to maximize Vote411 Preparing for the 2026 elections Questions or comments? Reach out to Marianne Germond at  voterservice@lwvor.org . We invite you to join this informative event to gain insights into Voter Service news, resources, and training!

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