LWVNC Members and Supporters,
Through Unite and Rise 8.5, the League of Women Voters will engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy. North Carolina Leagues will play an essential role in helping LWVUS reach this goal!
Launched in May 2025 and running until the 2026 midterm elections, this initiative is part of the League’s Women Defend Democracy campaign.
Why 8.5 million? That 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.
Unite and Rise 8.5 will fight for our democracy on multiple fronts, from the courts to the streets. More actions will be outlined in the future, but as of today, here are a few you can take:
- Protect democracy: Tell our Senators to oppose the anti-voter SAVE Act.
- Fight budget cuts: Tell Congress not to gut crucial programs like Medicaid.
- Raise your voice about illegal deportations: Join mobilizations around immigrant rights and due process with organizations like the National Partnership for New Americans, United We Dream, and others.
- “Turn Up the Heat” on elected officials: Connect directly with your representatives on the issues that matter via Town Halls and other opportunities
- Act locally: Join local organizations like your state or local League to act on the issues that matter in your community.
- Commit to action: Sign our commitment to Unite and Rise for democracy! This is an easy action you can take today!
