 | LWVGTA Co-Presidents Message
January 2026
Never during our lifetime has the Democracy that we believed in been so eroded. We, the women and men of the LWV of the Grand Traverse Area, as members of a respected, powerful nationwide organization, can be a positive influence in our community. With this in mind, we are reaching out to you to attend an upcoming general meeting, one wherein you can voice your recommendations and your guidance in helping to construct a plan for the upcoming year. Mark your calendar for a member meeting on February 18, at 4:00 pm, held at the Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Room.
The LWVMI is sponsoring a Zoom presentation entitled Let Voters Vote on Wednesday, January 21 at 7 pm. Three experts will discuss why the proposed Documentary Proof Of Citizenship (DPOC) is voter suppression. See the flyer included in this newsletter to register.
The nominating Committee has met and will begin working on a slate which will be presented to the membership at the Annual Meeting in Spring. If you have the smallest inkling to become more active and even if you are new to League, please consider accepting a Board position. A more experienced League member will guide you as you learn your way. Please contact Laura Otwell at laura.otwell@gmail.com, 231 313-9981.
On February 4, Margaret Goeman, our Advocacy Co-Chair, will be presenting an educational slide show created by the League of Women Voters of Michigan (LWVMI) to the Sunrise Rotary Club titled "Know What You Sign." The presentation is about the Michigan citizen-initiated ballot proposals for 2026. This outreach is in keeping with LWVMI goals.
Charlene Krygier - Co-President LWVGTA
Charlotte Nisbet - Co- President LWVGTA
| The League in Action
We receive the newsletters of other Leagues and found what Sarah Warner, President of the League of Women Voters of Berrien & Cass Counties, important and thought you might too.
The LWVGTA is working at the local level to create a positive impact in our communities. Do you know how the LWV is working to empower voters and defend democracy on the International, Capitol Hill and State level?
The League on The International Stage
For example, did you know that The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) has a deep, long-standing relationship with the United Nations (UN), dating back to its founding? In fact, LWVUS lobbied for the UN's creation and served as consultants to the U.S. delegation at the 1945 Charter Conference. The LWVUS holds United Nations NGO Observer Status, allowing them to participate in UN work and attend meetings. By doing so, we the League advocate for global equality, and support a strong UN through their official positions on issues like women's rights, peace, and governance. They act as a vital link, bringing UN discussions back to the U.S. and promoting U.S. engagement with the UN's goals of international peace, security, and human rights.
The League on Capitol Hill
The League of Women Voters is also a regular voice heard at the U.S. Capitol. The League of Women Voters frequently testifies in Congress on issues like voting rights, NVRA updates, election security, gun safety, campaign finance, and immigration, with recent testimonies by our CEO Celina Stewart focusing on threats to democracy and the SAVE Act. We also advocate for voter protection, common-sense gun laws, and equitable access to education, using our platform to influence policy and provide expert, non-partisan perspectives on protecting democratic processes, including important proposed reforms like the For the People Act.
Our Partnerships Drive Big Impacts
That in addition to testifying at congressional hearings, and our work on the world stage, we also fight for civil, social and political rights at statehouses in every state, as well as in our own backyard(s). We work alongside other community organizations like the Girl Scouts of America, The Interfaith Alliance, The American Public Library Association, PFLAG, Delta Sigma Theta, and Lambda Theta Alpha, to name just a few of our National Partners.
The League at The Michigan Statehouse
If you take a look at our impact on issues (a comprehensive rundown of the League stances on every issue in which we get involved), you might get a taste of how varied our work really is — from Statehouse redistricting to climate policy to human trafficking and the in between. We never cease, never tire, and never give up on our mission.
At the Michigan Statehouse, we are working on legislation governing natural resources, election laws, and more! (See LWVMI actions in 2025-2026). At the time, across our diverse communities here at home we have put our backs into advocacy for voter registration and election access as well as supporting our community partners working on civil rights and political rights. Every level of engagement matters. From the big to the small, we are making a difference.
Sarah Warner, President, League of Women Voters of Berrien & Cass Counties
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Traverse Area District Library
2026 Civics & Democracy Programing at TADL.
In honor of the USA's 250th anniversary, the Library is offering a year of civics celebratory programing.
TADL Civics Programs
Community Resources - Community Resources Page
Jan 15, 2026 Voter Services Committee Meeting. See the LWVGTA Event Calendar for the Zoom link, 10:00AM.
The LWV-GTA Voter Services Committee is having a 2026 Kickoff zoom meeting tomorrow morning, Jan 15, at 10am. 2026 will be a busy year for elections at the local, state and national level. There will be many volunteer opportunities, both one-time and ongoing. Please pass the word to anyone you know that might be interested. If you are interested, but can't join us tomorrow, please call/text Alice at 917-664-4358.
Jan 15, 2026 Natural Resources and Environment Committee Meeting. New Members are welcome. Meeting will be at the Traverse Area District Library on Woodmere, Study Room D. See the LWVGTA Event Calendar for more information.
Jan 21, 2026 LWVGTA Board of Directors meeting, 12 - 2. Meeting is by Zoom. See the LWVGTA Event Calendar for more information.
Jan 21, 2026 Let Voters Vote!
The League of Women Voters of Michigan Presents a Panel Discussion on Why Proposed Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) is Needless and Only Serves to Suppress the Vote. Zoom at 7 PM Zoom Registration Here!
Jan 27, 2026 Voter Education Presentation at the Benzie Shores District Library in Frankfort, 11:00 am. See the enclosed poster below. The topic will be "Beyond the Ballot". This informative session is a deep dive into the entire voting process. See the LWVGTA Event Calendar for more information.
Feb 4, 2026 LWVGTA presenting to the Sunrise Rotary Club information about the 2026 Citizen Initiated Ballot Proposals.
Feb 9, 2026 Advocacy Committee at 10:30 by Zoom. See the LWVGTA Event Calendar for more information.
Feb 10, 2026 Voter Education Presentation at the Benzie Shores District Library in Frankfort, 11:00 am. The topic will be "Fact Finding: how to find good information while making voting and civic engagement choices"
Feb 18, 2026 LWVGTA Member Meeting 4-5:30pm at TADL. Member meeting for new and returning members. 2026 will be an important year in elections! We will gather at the Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Room for a general member meeting on Wed. February 18 at 4pm. There will be a presentation about the Citizen Initiated Ballot Proposals for 2026, and program planning. We want your input, so come with ideas. Voice your recommendations and your guidance in helping to construct a plan for the upcoming year.
Save the Date! LWV 2026 National Convention - June 26-28, 2026 in Columbus, OH.
Represent the Grand Traverse League in Columbus, Ohio, or virtually, for this powerful multi-day event where League members from across the country come together to network, learn, and chart the course for the next biennium. Interested? Learn More - LWV National Convention
Misinformation/Disinformation Videos
View these informative videos from the LWV Macomb County.
WHAT IS DISINFORMATION?
HOW TO RECOGNIZE & STOP THE SPREAD OF DISINFORMATION
HOW MODERN TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS THE SPREAD OF DISINFORMATION
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Member Meeting! Let's gather and plan for 2026.
Feb 18, 2026 @ 4pm
Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Room
610 Woodmere Avenue
Traverse Ciy, MI 49686
Member meeting for new and returning members. 2026 will be an important year in elections! We will gather at the Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Room for a general member meeting on Wed. February 18 at 4pm. There will be a presentation about the Citizen Initiated Ballot Proposals for 2026, and program planning. We want your input, so come with ideas. Voice your recommendations and your guidance in helping to construct a plan for the upcoming year. |  |  | | LET VOTERS VOTE!
The public is welcome to join LWVMI for a Zoom panel presentation on Wednesday, January 21 at 7pm. Panelist include:
- Christoper Thomas, former Michigan Elections Director
- Melanie Macey, Policy and Government Affairs director at Promote the Vote
- Valencia Richardson, Voting Rights attorney at the Campaign Legal Center
We will discuss why Documentary Proof of Citizenship is needless Voter Suppression, and what we can do to stop it.
|  | | Join us for this one-hour in-person presentation at the Benzie Shores District Library at 630 Main St in Frankfort, January 27, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The topic will be "Beyond the Ballot". This informative session is a deep dive into the entire voting process. Learn the safeguards, steps, and teamwork that make an election possible. Perfect for anyone curious about what happens before, during, and after you cast your vote. | | |
League Committee News
Crawford County Unit (CCU) The LWV will have a new League soon, representing Crawford, Otsego and Roscommon counties. The Crawford County Unit's application to is with the LWVMI and should be considered in March. The name will be the LWV of North Central Michigan (LWV NCM). Meetings are the 3rd Monday at 10:00. Contact Christina Schlitt at crawford-county@lwvgta.org for meeting details.
Voter Services Committee - 2026 will be a busy election year. We are making plans for 2026, which will be a full year of elections, issues and candidates. Our next Voter Services Committee meeting will be via zoom on Thursday Jan 15, 10am. The zoom link is on our event calendar on our website, lwvgta.org. There have been many challenges recently to our right to vote. It is important that we make sure that voters have the necessary information to vote confidently and have access to voter registration materials.
This year the Voter Service group is working on creating presentations for libraries and small groups, reaching out to voters with physical challenges that make it difficult to cast ballots, involving young voters, and brainstorming about Democracy Trivia nights. Join in a voter services meeting, or just drop Alice Schuman a text or call Alice Schuman
(917-664-4358) to learn more about opportunities. Want to be involved but have limited time? That is OK. There are opportunities for you.
Advocacy Committee - The Advocacy Committee has been busy with writing letters to appear in the Traverse City Record-Eagle and other local publications. The third newspaper Op Ed, focusing on the importance of public libraries to democracy, is in the works by Valerie Valerie Kirn-Duensing, and will be sent to the Record-Eagle after final review. The Advocacy Program Survey will be updated in 2026. This includes review and updating local advocacy positions. Margaret Goeman will present "Know what you Sign" at the TC Sunrise Rotary on February 4 and at the League general membership meeting on February 18.
RE Forum - LWV Protecting the Vote in Grand Traverse Area
RE Forum Vote Security - What GT County Does Right
RE Opinion - Decline to Sign anti-voter petitions
Observer Committee - In December the Grand Traverse County Commission passed its 2026 budget, which totals nearly $56 million. The commissioners and staff worked proactively by gathering budget information throughout the year to develop the budget well ahead of the deadline. BOC also voted to put the county’s "full faith and credit" behind the airport authority’s bond request, despite Some commissioners concerns to the risk of the county’s bond rating.
January saw the commissioners gathering information about replacing the Elk Rapids dam which controls the water levels in the chain of lakes located mostly in Antrim county. This could impact Elk and Skegemog Lake residents in Grand Traverse's Whitewater Twp.
A big shout out to Cindy Stevens for her years of service as an observer of the Traverse City Commission. Her reports and her attention to the details of Traverse City government have been valuable part of the Observer Corps. Thanks to Cindy for all her work.
It follows that LWVGTA Observers need an observer for the Traverse City Commission. If you are already following TC government or have an interest in doing so, please consider volunteering for the Observer Corps. Contact Reba Leiding leidingr@gmail.com for more information.
Natural Resources and Environment - Nat’l Resources & Environment Committee Looks to the Future. Great news - Carrie Olmsted has agreed to be Committee Co-Chair through June. She has already come up with a long list of creative ideas to keep us all busy for the next few months. Here are just some of the topics our committee will consider investigating: Alternatives to single-use plastic products; Coal-fired power plants; Data centers; Gd Traverse County Materials Management planning; Solar power / farms; and a continued study of area water quality. We plan to study all these issues using the old "divide & conquer" formula -- with individuals or subcommittees focusing on environmental topics of personal interest. Carrie and I are looking forward to a very productive 2026, including at least one program, – stay tuned. ~Ann Swaney, Committee Co-Chair
|  | Wise Words
Won't it be wonderful when black history and native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history. ~Maya Angelou
| Contact your Representatives and Senators and demand Action.
Keep up the good work by letting your Congressperson know your point of view. Don't assume Congresspersons already knows what to do. Your phone message, email or letter are important to them for tracking statistics from their constituents - positive or negative. Remember that you are speaking as an individual unless utilizing the LWV Action pages.
Ways to contact your Senators & Representative to demand action.
US Capital switchboard – 202-224-3121 operator will connect you directly to the office you request.
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US Senator Gary Peters
Traverse City Office
109 E. Front Street Suite 215B
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 947-7773
https://www.peters.senate.gov/
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US Senator Elissa Slotkin
Traverse City Office
3335 South Airport Road West Suite 6B
Traverse City, MI 49684
P# 231-929-1031
https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/
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US Representative Jack Bergman
Traverse City Office
1396 Douglas Drive, Suite 22B
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 944-7633
https://bergman.house.gov/
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LWV – Take action https://www.lwv.org/take-action
Michigan Action - Easy Peasy
Utilize the LWVMI website Take Action Page. You can formulate your own message or use one they have crafted for important League Priorities.
LWV Michigan – Take action https://lwvmi.org/take-action/#/
"To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
| League of Women Voters Grand Traverse Area
Serving the people of Antrim, Benzie, Crawford, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties
PO Box 671, Traverse City, MI 49685
Voicemail: (231) 714- 9763
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