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LWVWV of West Virginia Updates: Summer 2026
Please let us know your concerns, comments and questions by email: *lwvofwv@gmail.com lwvofwv@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. [image: LWV WV UPDATES summer 2026_html_a6b4cc43b0114c34.gif]
*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@gmail.com lynwidmyer@gmail.com* if you are interested!
