LWV National Convention

Immigrant rights. If you were to ask me, I would say that this was one of the defining moments of the 2026 LWVUS Convention. 

“The League of Women Voters believes that all residents of the United States, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, should be treated with dignity and respect.” Of course, there is more to that program recommendation, which was a concurrence with LWV Washington State’s position.  

That it was a concurrence shows the power of individual state leagues and how we can influence our national program. 

Utah had one of the largest delegations with 11 members participating, 10 of whom were in-person in Columbus, OH. We voted in a new president, Sania Irwin, and an entirely new board. We also heard about the strength of the national budget, which since the Transformation began, has brought in more revenue than anticipated. 

So, we are in good shape to pursue the programmatic focus for the next two years. Defending a Democracy Under Siege includes: voting rights, protecting election, redistricting, immigration, individual rights, and the presidency. 

We also passed some important bylaws amendments, one of which was for Member Rights and Responsibilities. All leagues should add this to their own bylaws. Another bylaw to consider is one on Emergency Powers, which gives the board control in the event of a catastrophic event. 

A delegation of youth members joined Convention and made impassioned remarks. I think we were all impressed by their activism and hope to capture it for the future of our nation.

We learned so much and hope to bring it back to you. Watch your local leagues for more.

We were treated to a video from Luci Baines Johnson, which I’m sharing with you here. 

So much has been happening that you may want to review our statements and messaging:

The next 250 years belong to all of us’: seven activists on rebuilding the US (The Guardian)

•  Voting Rights Groups Secure Legal Win for Pennsylvania Voter Privacy

• League of Women Voters: Birthright Citizenship Ruling Is a Critical Win — And a Warning We Cannot Ignore

• Supreme Court Upholds State Laws Barring Transgender Girls from School Athletics

• Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Campaign Finance Provision, Turning Political Parties Into Conduits for Big Donors

• Supreme Court Protects Mail Voting and Preserves States’ Authority Over Ballot Receipt Rules

And finally, please join us on August 8 as we United & Rise across all 50 states for our National Day of Action — a powerful moment to commemorate the passage of the Voting Rights Act and show what community-driven, local action can do to protect and strengthen our democracy.