 | LWVGTA Co-Presidents Message
March 2026
The LWV is a hard working organization dedicated to registering and educating voters and advocating for and against important issues.
BUT, League members are also fun loving. Come join us on Wednesday, March 25 at Right Brian Brewery, 225 E Sixteenth Street from 6-8 pm for
Democracy Trivia Night. Traverse City's Mayor, Amy Shamroe will MC, asking questions about our Constitution, government, elections and
history. No registration necessary. Bring a team or bring yourself for a light-hearted evening!
Join the League as we march with other civic-minded Traverse City area residents on Saturday, March 28 for the No Kings 3 Rally, F & M Park, 253
Hope St.,TC, from 1-3 pm. We will gather close to the gazebo in the Park. Bring signs.
Our next Membership Meeting is April 15, 4-5:30 pm in the McGuire Room at the Woodmere Branch of TADL. After viewing The Officials, a powerful
documentary highlighting the difficulties of clerks across the nation during the 2024 general election, local clerks will take part in a Q&A. Please join us.
Look for your Monday, May 11 Annual Meeting invitation in your mailbox. Details are on the League website calendar.
The 57th Biennial League of Women Voters National Convention is June 26 - 28, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. The deadlines for registration are: March 31, Early Bird registration deadline; May 22 final registration deadline. Check out the convention venue at
LWV National Convention.
As part of program planning for the 2026 Convention, the GTA Board submitted their support for the proposed focus, Women Defend Democracy: Democracy Under Siege. In addition, the Board concurred with updating the LWVUS Privatization Position,1) advocating for healthcare as a “public good”; 2) opposing further privatization of healthcare and advocating as "best practice requirements" both 3)fiduciary duty and 4) accountability.
Singing to to the tune "Rain, rain go away..."
"Snow, snow..."
Charlene Krygier - Co-President LWVGTA
Charlotte Nisbet - Co- President LWVGTA
|  Fighting for Voting Rights
On March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress to urge the passage of legislation known as the Voting Rights Act after violence rocked Selma, AL where the march from Selma to Montgomery was being planned. This defining legislation guaranteed the voting rights for all, regardless of race, and was meant to enforce the 14th and 15th amendment.
This was not the first time civil liberties and voting rights were proclaimed by Constitutional Amendments. The Thirteenth Amendment (December 6, 1865), abolished slavery in the United States; the Fourteenth Amendment (July 9, 1868), granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and equal protection of the laws; the Fifteenth Amendment (February 3, 1870), granted African American men the right to vote. What about the right for Women to vote? The hard-fought Nineteenth Amendment (August 18, 1920), finally granted women the right to vote. After the Amendment was ratified, women used their organizing skills they had practiced during in the suffrage movement to continue to fight for equality.
Many of these new rights were disregarded by enacting local legislation such as literacy "tests" for voting, "Jim Crow" segregation rules, and hurdles for women balancing family life with civic duty. These were forms of voter suppression. The VRA of 1965 was meant to give teeth to enforce these new voting rights for all Americans, but in 2013, the US Supreme Court removed key protections of the Voting Rights Act in the decision of Shelby v. Holder. Since then, a surge of anti-voter bills have swept across our nation – with many being legalized.
The League is at the forefront of the most important federal and state cases across the United States and working tirelessly to oppose all forms of voter suppression. What can you do to help? Join the LWV and help spread educational information about voting rights and current legislative efforts to keep voters from voting. Call, write, email or contact your government representatives to pass voting rights legislation.
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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
March 18, 2026 BEYOND THE BALLOT presentation. Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, 6:00pm–7:30pm. Voting is more than casting a ballot at the Polls. Come learn more about the voting process in Michigan. Learn the year-round safeguards, steps, and teamwork that make our elections possible, accurate and secure. Perfect for anyone curious about what happens before, during, and after you cast your vote. Presented by Alice Schuman Voter Services Co-Chair for League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area. Sarah Lutz, City Clerk for Traverse City will join the podium for the Q&A session portion of the program and Sam Gedman, Chief Deputy Grand Traverse County Vital Records & Elections, will be on hand to answer questions as well!
March 25, 2026 Democracy is not Trivial Trivia Night, 6 – 8pm Right Brain Brewery, 225 E 16th St., Traverse City, 49684. Trivia questions testing government, history and elections. Come early, register your team, grab food and drink. Challenges, fun giveaways and prizes. Hosted by LWVGTA. TC Mayor, Amy Shamroe, as MC. Free fun.
Mar 28, 2026 , No Kings Rally. Join with the LWVGTA as we support Democracy with the No Kings Rally. LWVUS is an official partner for this day of mobilization. Put words into action and show up in defense of democracy in a nonpartisan manner. The LWVGTA will meet close to the F & M Park gazebo with our League Signs. Bring your sign and dress for the weather.
Save the Date!
May 11, 2026, LWVGTA Annual Meeting, 9-12 - Hagerty Center,
League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area Annual Meeting. Breakfast buffet, Awards/Member Recognition, Annual Business Meeting: Reports, Elections, Bylaws Approval. Speaker TBD. Check in 9:00, Breakfast starts at 9:30
Cost $35.00. Mark your calendar and watch for more information.
June 26-28, 2026, LWV 2026 National Convention - 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
Non-League Event April 1, 2026 Meet The Candidates Forum: MI-01 Congressional. Hear directly from the people who want to represent us in Washington. Hear the candidates before the August Primary. Presented by Traverse Indivisible Education & Solidarity (TIES).
Read More Here.
| | | League Committee News
Crawford County Unit (CCU) The Crawford County Geographical Unit (CCU), mentored by LWV Grand Traverse Area (LWVGTA ) since 2018, has officially moved to the next level of League. The LWVMI board of directors officially approved the application to move to a more independent stage as a MAL (Member-At-Large) State Unit. On 14 March 2026, the CCU officially became LWV North Central Michigan State Unit, servicing Crawford, Otsego and Roscommon Counties in all aspects of league work. LWVNCM appreciates the support of our mentor League all of these years and look forward to partnering with LWVGTA in events going forward.
Meetings are the 3rd Monday at 10:00. Contact Christina Schlitt at crawford-county@lwvgta.org for meeting details.
Voter Services Committee - Voter Services activities for 2026 are picking up steam! We welcome any new members that would like to be part of the Voter Service Tables at the Library or any of our other planned events. Check out the GTA Website Calendar for upcoming meetings and events. The voter services committee meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 10am-11am via zoom.
Natural Resources and Environment - Learn about Data Centers. View a presentation co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Michigan's Environmental Network and the Michigan Climate Action Network. Speakers included: Lee Shaver, Senior Energy Analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists, Prescott Balch, Retired Technology Executive, Boratha Tan, Senior Regulatory Manager for the Midwest at Vote Solar and Chris Gilmer-Hall, Policy Association, MI Environmental Justice Coalition.
Data Centers - What Michiganders Need to Know
|  | | Congress continues to introduce bills that would require voters to present documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register and/or vote, including the SAVE America Act, the Safeguard Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), and the Make Elections Great Again Act (MEGA).
The Save America Act (S-1383) has passed in the US Senate, then the US House passed it on 02/11/26 with amendments. It is back to the Senate now to reconsider. Make Your Voice Heard. Write, email or call your Senator. Find the LWV Posts on social media about this and repost on your social media page. Find your Congress person's social media and let them know you are very concerned about how any of the proposed SAVE Acts would create barriers to the voting process.
The League of Women Voters of Michigan recorded a panel discussion on Jan 21, 2026 to discuss why Documentary Proof of Citizenship policies are needless voter suppression, and what the public can do to stop it.
|  | With threats to our democratic systems on the rise, the League of Women Voters of [NAME] continues to protect voting rights and drive change in Northern Michigan, Grand Traverse Area. JOIN US in the fight for a democracy by the people, for the people — all of the people — at
Listen to the inspirational video of LWV President, Diana Wynn as she speaks to the current state of the League of Women Voters heading into the 2026 election season. YouTube 2026 State of the League | | |
 | Wise Words
Act like a duck. Be calm on the surface, but paddle like hell underneath. ~Oliver Luck | 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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