Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.

-- David Robson, 5/13/2019, "The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world." BBC Future. 

That is why the League of Women Voters Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative aims to engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters. According to the University of Florida, approximately 245 million Americans were eligible to vote in the 2024 general election. If 3.5% of these eligible voters — 8,575,000 people — engage in nonviolent protest and civic activism, the League believes we will bring about meaningful change.

Unite and Rise 8.5

On May 1, 2025, LWVUS launched the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative, which aims to mobilize 8.5 million voters using the power of voter engagement as a cornerstone of our democracy. Unite and Rise 8.5 will showcase the many ways voters can drive change, including through advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement. The initiative is part of LWV’s Women Defend Democracy campaign.

• Legal & Policy Advocacy - Challenge unconstitutional actions through litigation, advocate for electoral integrity reforms at state and federal levels, fight voter suppression, and protect due process.
• Public Mobilization & Coalition Building - Turn out millions for quick activations and longer-planned activist campaigns, uplift local voices, and partner with grassroots, national, and international organizations.
• Democracy Resilience - Build lasting infrastructure to protect democratic values and institutions for the long haul.
• Civic Education & Engagement - Launch public awareness campaigns, expand voter registration and turnout efforts, host educational forums, connect policy to real-life impact, and equip people with tools to act.

Actions for May to July, 2025

The SAVE Act

• Share the SAVE Act action alert with 3 friends: SAVE Act action alert
• Share a SAVE Act social media post with 5 friends: LWVUS SAVE Act social media post
• Write a letter to the editor (LTE) for a media outlet or publication that you follow.
• Uplift stories of individuals who will be impacted negatively via social media.

Due Process Violations on Immigration

• Attend a rally and join mobilizations around immigration. Civil rights and social justice organizations in Delaware have recently been offering frequent protest opportunities for community residents.
• Write an LTE and try to time placement on day of protest/rally or immediately after.
• Post rally photos or LTEs on social media. Share why you attended a rally or why it is important to you.
• Talk with friends and neighbors about the impact of immigration in your community.

Federal Budget & Reconciliation

• Write an LTE about how budget and Medicaid cuts impact people in your state or locality. Focus on harm to individuals and reduction of resources for communities.
• Watch for and participate in rapid response action alerts on the budget once it’s before Congress. Here's one that's active now: Take Action: Tell Congress Not to Gut Medicaid
• Share action alert on social media and encourage 5 people to join in the action alert.

Civic Education & Engagement

• Check our "Unite & Rise" web page (under the "GET INVOLVED" menu item) for local Delaware protest opportunities and events.
• Download and use the "League in Action" phone app.
• Follow LWVDE and LWVUS on social media.

LWVDE social media handles: @lwvde.bsky.social on Bluesky. @lwvde on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X.

    TikTok: @LWVUS

Join the League!

There's never been a better time to join the League of Women Voters. Get more information and click the JOIN link under one of our Delaware local Leagues, or simply go to the LWV Membership Portal to get started.