Overview
In May 2025, LWV launched its new initiative, Unite and Rise 8.5. Our country is in a constitutional crisis — and it is up to all of us, no matter our political party, to engage, mobilize, and push back against anti-democratic threats.
Why 8.5?
The number 8.5 million is the estimated number of voters it would take to bring about change through nonviolent protest. This is based on the following finding from the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights:
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.
According to the University of Florida, approximately 245 million Americans were eligible to vote in the 2024 general election. According to the above research, if 3.5% of these eligible voters — 8,575,000 people — engage in nonviolent protests, we will bring about meaningful change.
In Delaware
The League of Women Voters of Delaware is planning two actions on August 8:
- A community picnic (details TBD), and
- Postcard writing to encourage young Delaware voters to vote in the 2026 Primary Election.
Nationwide
On August 8, 2026, join us for a nationwide day of civic action in honor of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Leagues and partners will lead hundreds of activations across the country centered on increasing voter engagement, turnout, and education, with particular emphasis on young voters and community partnerships. You can find events near you by heading to our landing page and clicking the map.
The League will anchor events in five cities chosen for their deep connections to the history of the Voting Rights Act and the ongoing struggle to protect the freedom to vote.
- Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix reflects the ongoing fight to ensure Native American and Latino voters have equal access to the ballot. This action will be a partnership between LWV, Tribal Communities, and Latino/a communities to document and highlight barriers to voting unique to their communities and how to address them both presently and long-term.
- San Francisco, CA: The Bay Area's history—from the fight for birthright citizenship to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights—reflects the ongoing work to build a more inclusive democracy. This action is a call to protect and expand the VRA and to demand that our elected officials stand up against the rising wave of segregation.
- Atlanta, GA: As the heart of the modern Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta helped shape the struggle that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act.
- August 7: This action is a community celebration to connect with neighbors and learn more about civic work in this community.
- August 8: This teach-in brings together veterans of the voting-rights and labor movements with the young organizers carrying the work forward
- Detroit, MI:Detroit's history of Black civic leadership and organizing underscores the power of communities to expand access to the ballot. This action combines politics with poetry for an engaging, transformative day.
- Philadelphia, PA: As the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia reflects the enduring responsibility to protect and expand access to the ballot. This action is an interactive teach-in and community outreach event that explores voting rights, redistricting, and barriers to participation faced by disabled voters and individuals impacted by incarceration.
Before the main Day of Action, on August 6, 2026, the League will host a virtual pep rally that will stream to our Day of Action landing page. You can RSVP to this event at https://www.mobilize.us/lwv/event/983330/.
