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LWVWV of West Virginia Updates: Summer 2026
Please let us know your concerns, comments and questions by email:
*lwvofwv(a)gmail.com
<lwvofwv(a)gmail.com>*
*LWVWV Urges NO Vote on Amendment 1 on November 3*
The LWVWV Board has approved our opposition to Amendment 1 “Citizenship
Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections Amendment.” The Amendment,
which is on the November ballot, states “Only citizens of the United States
who are citizens of this state shall be entitled to vote at all elections….”
The LWVWV urges voters to reject this amendment as unnecessary because
state and federal law already dictate only US citizens can vote in our
elections.
Informational materials are being developed by the LWVWV to further
describe our position and to encourage a NO vote in November.
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*Highlights from 2026 LWV National Convention*
The LWVUS National Convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, from June 25-28.
LWVWV co-presidents Lyn Widmyer and Judy Ball, and LWV of Jefferson County
member Neal Barkus, attended. League delegates reaffirmed the League’s
commitment to address the constitutional crisis we are facing. New
positions on immigration, the separation of powers and religious freedom
were added:
- Protecting Immigrants / Welcoming Immigrants Position: Delegates
overwhelmingly approved expanding the older 2008 LWVUS national immigration
guidelines to advocate for the rights, safety, and access to services for
immigrants and their families after entry into the United States.
- Religious Freedom Position: Delegates voted to adopt Colorado
Leagues' concurrence supporting and affirming the constitutional separation
of church and state.
- Defending a Democracy Under Siege Campaign: The convention formally
accepted and updated the multi-focus organizing campaign (originally called
Defending Democracy) to target voting rights, election protection,
redistricting, individual liberties, immigration, and guaranteeing
presidential power is exercised within our constitutional framework.
*LWVWV Board Seeking Secretary*
The passing of our long-time secretary Carline Shaw has created a vacancy
for the position of secretary on our LWVWV Board. Our Board meetings are
every 3 months and we meet by Zoom. This allows us to use AI to transcribe
the minutes. The Secretary now must simply review these detailed notes and
apply our standard format for minutes. Please contact LWVWV co-president
Lyn Widmyer at *lynwidmyer(a)gmail.com <lynwidmyer(a)gmail.com>* if you are
interested!
