Defend Democracy. Take Action.

Defend Democracy. Take Action.

Time Range For Action Alert: 
Jan 19 2025 to Jan 25 2026

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Take Action

Thanks to all of you who are contributing actions and ideas for this Action List.
We will continue to publish bi-weekly going forward.

Actions for the week of 1.19.2026

These are just suggestions of actions you could take as an individual. If you are a League member, always remember to express your personal views, and not to speak on behalf of the League.Only League Presidents or designees can speak on behalf of the League.  

Thanks to all those who participated in
ICE OUT FOR GOOD on Sunday, January 11! 


Local Level Actions

 

Tuesday, January 20: Walk In Walk Out

Senator Graham’s Office, Pendleton SC; 2 - 3 pm

This event is sponsored by Upstate Democracy Defenders. The goal is “to encourage Senator Graham to remember his oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. His actions show no support or defense for the constitution that our current President continuously disregards. WALK IN and tell Lindsey Graham it’s time to WALK OUT unless he complies with his oath to the constitution - defend our democratic republic!”

Learn more details about the Walk In Walk Out on Mobilize.us.

Immigration Bridges Workshop

Thursday, January 22, 6-8 PM, Pendleton SC

One way to bridge our disagreements around immigration is to understand what divides us. In this FREE workshop, community experts from upstate SC will describe the workings and shortcomings of our immigration system. They will also discuss immigration solutions that welcome immigrants and refugees as neighbors without harming the interests of American citizens. Just as important, workshop participants will discuss how to act on their concerns about immigration.

Find out more and register.

ATTEND meetings of your local government and stay informed on local issues.

LWVOP.org maintains an extensive calendar of local public meetings.

LWVOP is launching "Upstate Votes 2026": our 2026 Voter Engagement Program, and we invite members to participate in a planning meeting to learn more and get involved.

Upstate Votes focuses on increasing informed, nonpartisan voter participation in the 2026 primary and general elections, with special emphasis on first-time voters and underrepresented communities in Oconee and Pickens Counties. 

At this member-only meeting, we will:

  • Share the goals and timeline for the 2026 voter engagement program
  • Highlight outreach efforts around primary elections and voter education
  • Describe volunteer opportunities that fit a variety of interests and schedules

  • Invite member ideas, questions, and participation

Whether you enjoy community outreach, planning, communications, or behind-the-scenes support, there is a role for every interested member.

State Level Actions

The House Judiciary Committee will meet in the Statehouse, Columbia to hear the Abortion Inducing Drugs bill (W. Newton and others).

Tuesday, January 20 and Wednesday, January 21

The bill creates felony charges for the delivery, possession, and distribution of abortion medication, other than possession by a pregnant person. It increases policing and surveillance of pregnancy and expands efforts to control the lives of girls and women.

This bill was forwarded to the House Judiciary Committee with a favorable recommendation. It is on their agenda for Tuesday January 20 continuing Wednesday, January 21. You can email the Judiciary Committee at HJudComm [at] schouse.gov.

If you are the constituent of a House Judiciary Committee member, please call their office to tell them to vote no on this harmful bill.

Read more on this issue, or in your LWVSC Action Alert eblast.

Rescheduled: Statehouse, Columbia hearings on two bills to Close Primaries.

Wednesday, January 21, afternoon

Blatt Building Room 110, Statehouse, Columbia

Two bills that would close primary elections by party will be discussed in the House Judiciary Committee’ Constitutional Laws (Con Laws) Subcommittee:

  1. H.3643 Voter Registration, Party Affiliation (B. Newton and others)

  2. H.330 Closed Primaries (Burns and others)

Primaries are the elections in which individual votes are most powerful, with the greatest potential to allow a voter to elect someone of their choosing. Every voter must be able to participate fully in this process.

HJudConstitutionalLaws [at] schouse.gov (subject: , body: ) (Submit written testimony.)

Read more on this issue, or in your LWVSC Action Alert eblast.

Please watch your email for the next LWVSC Action Alert, which will include more details on these two issues, as well as

  • Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration: S.128
  • Judicial Reform: H.4755
  • The “Bathroom Bill:” H.4756
  • Parental Rights: H.4757

Energy Affordability Advocacy Day

Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 11:30 am

SC State House, north steps, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC

South Carolina has some of the highest energy bills in the nation, and legislators need to hear from their constituents that affordable energy solutions must be a top priority for the 2026 legislative session.

Join a broad consortium of organizations, including the League of Women Voters of South Carolina, at the State House for a chance to speak with your legislators and urge them to take action for more affordable energy bills!

Learn more about Energy Affordability Advocacy Day. 

Join the League (if you are not already a member!)

Help support the League in their mission of educating and informing voters.

Sign up for the mailing list.

If someone forwarded this email to you, sign up to get it directly!

We would love to hear from you about this initiative. Feel free to forward this email to others who wish to find ways to participate. Whether it’s how this made you feel, results you saw, or suggestions for future topics, please let cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com (subject: Defending%20Democracy, body: ) (Cherie Walker) know.

Learn More