 | LWVGTA Co-Presidents Message
October 2025
Remember Helen Reddy's 1970 song,
"I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back and pretend
Cause I've heard it all before."
It was an anthem to female empowerment and I have to believe that
today’s women (and men) in the LWVGTA internalized those lyrics because
our membership is growing and our actions are making noise in our
communities.
Join us on October 18 at the NO Kings Rally from noon to 2 pm. GTA will
have a table at 1213 W. Civic Center Dr., Traverse City. Raise your voice,
make a sign or carry one that Karen Baker designed especially for our
League. Bring a chair, if you like. Come support this nation-wide call to
stand against authoritarianism.
If you are a Traverse City resident, please encourage your friends and
neighbors to vote on November 4. Check out the recording of our superb
forum for mayoral and city commission candidates on our webpage at www.lwvgta.org .
The Record Eagle will soon be publishing a beautifully written and
powerful OpEd by Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee, Valerie Kirn-
Duensing, highlighting the League’s multi-faceted involvement locally and
nationally. After reading it, you will be even prouder to call yourself a
member of LWV. A big thank you to Valerie!
Honored to be in League with you.
Thank you for being a League member.
Charlene Krygier - Co-President LWVGTA
Charlotte Nisbet - Co- President LWVGTA
|  | |
Upcoming Events
| Oct 20, 2025 |
A tour of the Emmet County recycling, composting and electronic disposal facility. 1:00 - 2:30. Carpool departure around 10:00, lunch, tour, return home. RVSP to Carrie Olmsted with willingness to drive and passenger capacity in vehicle. Carrie Olmsted, eprarr@gmail.com . |
| Oct 22, 2025 |
LWVGTA Board Of Directors Meeting. 12 - 2 at the Michigan Works building, Ste C, Rm F. See the website calendar for Zoom link. |
| Oct 22, 2025 |
2025 Great Lakes Microplastics Summit. Virtual on October 22. Hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), this free one-day event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region to network, share insights, and explore the latest findings regarding microplastics in both surface water and drinking water. 2025-Microplastics-Summit Reg |
| Nov 4, 2025 |
Election Day. Check your voter registration, see what's on the ballot at Michigan.gov/vote |
| Nov 10, 2025 |
Advocacy Committee Meeting - 10:30 - Check the calendar for Zoom Link. |
STATE ACTION ITEMS
KNOW WHAT YOU SIGN!
Petition drives are gearing up in Michigan. Many circulators will be in our communities in the next year – especially during warm-weather months – attempting to get a minimum of 500,000 valid signatures so that the proposal can be part of the November, 2026 ballot. The language stating what the ballot proposal would do is limited to 100 words and the circulator has no obligation to provide detailed information. The League is providing this brief explanation of the potential ballot proposals that have been approved by the Michigan Board of Canvassers.
Several of these petitions circulating in our communities are harmful anti-voter petitions. Don’t sign petitions from the "Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights" or "Americans for Citizens Voting-Michigan." These petitions require Documentary Proof of Citizenship. These proposals would make it more difficult for eligible U.S. citizens to vote. If you are approached to sign a petition, read the ballot proposal carefully before considering signing.
Michigan League Advocacy
Here is the LWVMI Advocacy page that has items they support or oppose and the reason. You may find their positions on many of the proposed Ballot Proposals.
US LEAGUE NEWS
Another Attack on Voting Rights
There is a threat to voting rights at the national level. If you have not done so yet, we need every LWVGTA member to oppose this threat.
On July 16, 2025, the America First Legal Foundation for Rulemaking (AFL) petitioned the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to amend federal regulations and add Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) to the National Mail Voter Registration Form. Stephen Miller and Gene Hamilton are co-founders of the AFL.
The EAC was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. It’s a bipartisan commission that has authority to issue regulations. Regulations can impose binding legal requirements. By law, federal regulatory agencies must gather public comments before considering changes to existing regulations.
This proposed regulation would threaten the voting rights of millions of US citizens, particularly women. Public comments close on Monday, October 20, 2025. Please act today! Write your own comment or find example comments HERE.
| 
The Traverse City Record-Eagle has featured two articles from the LWVGTA this month.
In the October 12, 2025 Record-Eagle newspaper, our Advocacy committee had their letter featured in the Forum column. The forum letter was authored by the Advocacy co-chair, Valerie Kirn-Duensing and titled "Protecting the voting rights of Grand Traverse region". It gave a very clear description of what the League of Women Voters stands for and how, as a united front, the National, State and the Northern Michigan Leagues are working to fight for everyone's rights as voters and defend democracy. Look for it.
On October 7, 2025 the Record-Eagle had an article on the front page about the League's program held at the Traverse Area District Library that same night. The program featured two local officials, Lydia Gulow and Mathew Cooke, providing status updates on material management plans in the region.
You may watch the program HERE .
Text Banking - The LWVGTA participated in a text banking project. The focus of this project is to contact 640,000 voters who voted in 2020 but did not vote in 2024. The goal is to urge these voters to sign up for the Permanent Mail Ballot list. The LWVGTA completed our list of 1,425 for Grand Traverse County. There may be future opportunities for the other counties the LWVGTA covers. Watch for updates to participate.
|  | 
Don't Let Your Membership Expire - Has your LWVGTA membership expired? Have you logged into the Membership Portal yet? Make sure to renew your membership in a timely manner. You are needed!
You may still renew and join by check. Download and print the LWVGTA Membership Form to fill out and return. You may always call the LWVGTA voicemail and leave a message (231) 714-9763 or email Laura Otwell, membership chair at membership@lwvgta.org.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Janet Fleshman
Laurie Schnell
Gayle Akins
Janet Gaffke
|  | CRAWFORD COUNTY UNIT (CCU) REPORT
Marcia Koppa LWVCCU VP and Voter Services
Christina Schlitt LWVCCU President
While this isn't a candidate election year for us, our League work doesn't stop!
LWV CCU Monthly Meeting - Every 4th Monday of the month 10am at the Grayling City Hall, unless otherwise specified. This month it will be October 27th.
VOTE411 - On Tuesday November 4th, we have an election in Crawford County concerning the school millage. Try out the website VOTE411.org, enter your street address and you will see the ballot language and answers to 2 questions - "What will occur if this millage passes?" and" if it doesn't pass?" These answers were supplied by our CASD Superintendent Mr. Sanchez and reviewed by our County Comptroller Paul Compo for accuracy. It was a challenge to get this entered and published.
Voter Registration - On Monday October 20th, several of us will be at the Grayling High School registering and pre-registering students and offering pertinent information. Christina will be offering required training for this on Tuesday October 14th at 1pm. This will be recorded and available to those who can not attend the live session. At this point, we have Sue Woodard, Lynn Thompson, Kathy Frederick and Janet Gaffke volunteering. Our County Clerk Jamie McClain will be joining us and bringing with her the Voter Assisted Terminal (VAT) for demonstration purposes.
Board Of Canvassers meeting - After every election, a group of canvassers, 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans, review the relevant documents, check to see if "all the 't's are crossed and 'i's dotted" and the ballot counts balance before these results move onto the Michigan State Board of Canvassers for certification. This certification of the election is official and important. Lynn Thompson and Marcia will witness this certification in Crawford County, most likely on Nov. 5th, the day after election. Letters will be sent to the Clerk stating that we will be attending and our purpose. Training has been sent to all CCU members. In addition, an updated training video recording will be sent to all around the 21st. Christina will be observing in Otsego County and probably Roscommon. If you are interested in joining her, let her know.
**Hot off the Press!**
KCC/WCMU/LWVCCU Event - We have been kicking around an idea for a social event for the greater community to get to know the League and what we are about. This has evolved into a collaboration with Kirtland Community College and WCMU TV, centered on a premier of the new Ken Burns documentary, "The American Revolution". It will be on Tuesday November 11th (Veterans Day) at KCC from 6-8pm. Christina will open with information on the League and our unit in particular then follow a 46 minute compilation of the upcoming 12 hour documentary. We hope all of you can attend.
|  | 
🐦🐦🐦The Early Bird gets their wreath - Early. It's time to order your holiday greens for home and office decorating, and to give as gifts. You'll be ready for the holidays, and you'll be supporting local League programs. The wreaths come in many sizes made with fresh greens from an area greenhouse, trimmed with pine cones, berries & a red velvet bow. Garland Roping can be used outside, or you can drape it inside along stair railings, around doors, and along fireplace mantles. A tree is planted for every wreath made!
ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th
Pick up date, time, and location: Traverse City, Saturday, November 22nd ONLY- from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Ingrid Brophy's, 719 Munson Ave. Deliveries can be arranged. Payment by check or electronically, see the form for more details. 2025 wreath sale flyer
|  
Are you interested in participating in the No Kings 2 protest on October 18?
LWVUS has decided to become an official partner for this day of mobilization to stand in solidarity with partners and stand up against hate and authoritarianism. Of course the League supports participating in a nonpartisan manner.
-->Look for the LWVGTA tent, table & Signs at the Traverse City Location, Grand Traverse County Civic Center, Traverse City, MI 49686, 12 - 2pm.
Additional information about the TC Rally - The rally will occur at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Multipurpose Field (SW corner across from the Pavilion). Street parking is available around the Civic Center and north of Front St. We will gather for a short program of dynamic speakers and live music followed a demonstration along the south side of Front Street. Bring non-perishable food donations for local food banks - donation station at Pavilion.
The Crawford County Unit(CCU) of GTA will be at the Gaylord Rally with League signs. Next to Railroad Tracks Gaylord, MI 49735, 1-3pm
There are also rallies at Elk Rapids, Benzonia Township Offices and Suttons Bay.
Join with us! Grab your cardboard and create a sign with your non-partisan message and join with us. |  | Advocacy Committee
October 2025 - Margaret Goeman and Valerie Kirn-Duensing - co-chairs
The Advocacy committees first letter was published in the Record-Eagle Forum column on Oct 11, 2025. This will be edited to 350 words for the Benzie Patriot. A procedure and guidelines for editorial submissions was established. Planning for the next letter is in progress. We should continue to publicize the No Red Tape campaign and the League's opposition to the DPOC (Direct Proof of Citizenship) petitions wherever we are advocating, but not where we are giving education, as in Voters Services events or educational programs.
Natural Resources and Environment
The Environmental Committee recently gave a presentation at the TADL Library with 25 people in attendance and a number of other folks joining online. The topic encompassed how the counties are planning to manage our solid waste, recyclables, and food waste. The committee will be touring the Emmet County Recycling Center in Petoskey on October 20. The committee continues to get a tour of GFL recycling facility in Traverse City to no avail.Ann Swaney hopes to put together a future presentation on the plastic bag conundrum and solutions that are environmentally friendly.
-->View the Solid Waste, Recyclables, Organics - The Counties' Material Management Plans recording HERE
|  | Observer Corps Report
October 2025 - Reba Leiding
Crawford County commissioners are keeping an eye on a pending US Supreme Court case (Pung v Isabella County) that could impact county sales of foreclosed housing.
Grand Traverse County commissioners heard from elected Treasurer Jamie Callahan who talked of difficulties getting his department up to speed. The board renewed the MS 360 contract but limited the number of CoPilot (AI) accounts to 10. They also approved an RFP for pre-design services for the Facilities/Emergency Operations building, and a tech contract with Tyler Tech for licensing/permitting software, which now puts all the county’s software applications into the cloud. Also approved was a $83K contract for body cams and storage for the sheriff’s dept., and a brownfield/tax abatement project that will add 240 workforce housing units in East Bay twp.
Think that local government news is important? Consider joining the LWVGTA Observer Corps. Contact Reba Leiding leidingr@gmail.com to find out how you can be an observer. |  | Voter Services Committee
September 2025 - Alice Schuman
What's going on?
Voter Services is Working with Benzie Shores library on three programs utilizing these as future program templates. Topics include: “Voting process before, during and after election day”, “Civic engagement – how to get started”, “Fact finding – where to find good information for making decisions.” The first will be on Oct 28, 11am Benzie Shores library on Voting Process Before, During and After Election Day.
The Vote411 Team is busy gathering information about local elections. The "They Represent You"(TRY) brochures will get an update in January/February after any changes from the November elections.
Volunteer! Short on time? There are always volunteer opportunities for those short on time. Email voterservices@lwvgta.org, or call/text Alice at 917-664-4658
 Action After the Election
Board of Canvassers (BOC) Observation Program
When polls close on Election Day, election inspectors get to work completing each precinct’s poll book and statement of votes and sealing all ballots and election materials in secure containers. After the hand-off to the receiving board the sealed, verified and recorded ballots and statement of votes are delivered to the Board of County Canvassers before the canvass begins. . . Each of Michigan's 83 counties has a Board of County Canvassers. These boards are bipartisan, with two Republican canvassers and two Democratic canvassers. Each board is tasked with completing their county’s canvass and certification process.
-->The LWV provides observers of this BOC process. Volunteer!
There will be an orientation meeting on Monday, October 20, 7 p.m. for those who plan to participate in the Board of Canvassers (BOC) Observation Program after the November 4th election. Zoom registration Link for the training - BOC Training Registration Link.
This orientation will provide information on the BOC observation program, plus a presentation by election attorney, Mark Brewer. For those who have observed in the past, we are asking you to submit questions we can address at the orientation session. Please submit your questions directly to Judy Florian (voterservice@lwvmi.org) by this Friday, October 17.
A Sign-up for observing will be available soon. We need volunteers for all five counties we cover, especially Antrim and Kalkaska. Nov 5th to 12th.
For more information, please see our website www.lwvgta.org, email voterservices@lwvgta.org, or call/text Alice at 917-664-4658
| Wise Words
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It’s not.”
– Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax” | Contact your Representatives and Senators and demand Action.
Don't bee afraid or think that your Congressperson 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.
|
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/
|
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/
|
US Representative Jack Bergman
Traverse City Office
1396 Douglas Drive, Suite 22B
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 944-7633
https://bergman.house.gov/
|
"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
| | If you wish to unsubscribe to the Voter Newsletter from LWVGTA, please reply to this message or send an email to info@lwvgta.org with "unsubscribe from Voter" in the subject. If you wish to receive fewer emails, or only emails on a specific topic, please reply to this message with more details about which messages you want to receive. | |