We take action to defend democracy!
Actions for the week of 10.6.2025
Thanks to everyone who contributed items this week! We rely on your input to keep the information flowing
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Send your ideas for action items to: cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com
We rely on your input for these items!
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.
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest"
— ELIE WIESEL
State-Level Actions
Find your SC Legislators.
Shout out to all who called, emailed and showed up to be heard on S.323! Members at the Statehouse reported there were times the crowd was so loud it could be heard inside the Gressette Building!
ACTION 1: Keep up the PRESSURE! South Carolina Senators on the Medical Affairs Subcommittee heard testimony on S.323 on October 1, but did not yet vote on the bill. This bill would severely limit the personal freedom of those who are pregnant as well as criminalizing health care providers. We must continue to speak out until this bill is defeated.
Excerpt from League testimony:
“The League of Women Voters of South Carolina opposes all provisions of S.323. The foundational principle of the bill is to designate every fertilized egg a person with full legal rights, a premise that we reject. Building on that foundation, there is a horrific array of dangerous provisions that violate the moral and constitutional rights of all pregnant or potentially pregnant persons in South Carolina. Not just the fundamental right of all persons to make decisions about their own bodies, but rights of free speech and free association would be violated under this bill. Victims of rape and incest would be forced to continue their pregnancies, effectively condemning them to torture. Children, regardless of age, would be compelled to continue pregnancies for which they cannot possibly be prepared. Pregnancies involving fetuses that cannot survive to develop into living persons will be continued, prolonging the physical and mental suffering of those with wanted but hopeless pregnancies.”
What can you do?
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As a constituent, continue to call YOUR Senator Rice, (803) 212-6124; Senator Cash (803) 212-6116; and Senator Alexander (803) 212-6220. Demand that they abandon this egregious attack on our autonomy, privacy, speech, and safety before October 1. Personal calls from constituents are the most effective means of influencing Legislators!
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Keep contacting Senators on the Medical Affairs Subcommittee and urge them to oppose S.323. Even lawmakers who generally support abortion bans can’t ignore overwhelming opposition from their constituents.
Cash, (803) 212-6124
Corbin, (803) 212-6100
Fernandez, (803) 212-6024
Garrett, 803-212-6016
Hutto, (803) 534-5218
Martin, (803) 212-6420
Saab, (843) 355-5349
Tedder, (803) 212-6132
Verdin, (Chairman) (803) 212-6250
Zell, (803) 212-6040
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Amplify this message by liking and sharing the Facebook posts from LWVSC and LWVOP.If you took photos or videos at the rally, share them on social media using #StopTheBanSC
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Be Informed.
News coverage of the hearing from Statehouse Report included this statement from LWVSC Vice President Lynn Teague, who told the Statehouse Report she worried about the narrow, sectarian impetus for the bill. “There was an awful lot of talk of God yesterday,” she said, noting that a number of supporters invoked scripture during the hearing. “But under the Constitution, we’re not a Christian nation and we were never intended to be. We were intended to be a nation that respected all traditions.”
ACTION 2: Stay informed. “South Carolina election official dismissed amid investigation into wiretap allegations.”
Learn more at our website about the current situation at the South Carolina Election Commission, including an interview with Lynn Teague.
Find additional information from The Statehouse Report.
ACTION 3: Public Education Advocacy Issues: Teacher Salaries, Censorship, Vouchers, Dark Money
Read this excellent summary from Janelle Rivers, Ph.D., Volunteer Education Advocacy Specialist, League of Women Voters of South Carolina. She highlights some of the current areas of concern in South Carolina with book banning, libraries, teacher salaries, education vouchers and more.
Local-Level Actions
Action 4: ATTEND meetings of your local government and stay informed on local issues.
LWVOP.org maintains an extensive calendar of local public meetings.
- Monday, October 6: City of Clemson Council meeting held at Council Chambers, Clemson City Hall, 1250 Tiger Blvd # 1, Clemson, SC 29631 at 6:30 pm unless otherwise noted. The 2025 calendar is here.
- Monday, October 6: Pickens County Council Meeting in the Council Auditorium at the Administration Facility, 222 McDaniel Ave., Pickens, SC 29671 at 6:30 pm. Here are links to their 2025 Council Meeting Calendar, Pickens County Calendar, and to the agenda and minutes and videos.
- Tuesday, October 7: Oconee County Council Meeting in the County Council Chambers located at 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC at 6 pm. Here are links to the Calendar, Agenda and Minutes and Videos of past county council meetings.
- Wednesday, October 8: Pickens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Regular Board Meeting at 4:30 pm at the Pickens County Administration Facility, 222 McDaniel Ave, B-9, Pickens, SC 29671. Find the calendar, meeting agendas and minutes.
ACTION 5: Join the Observer Corps!
We’re looking for volunteers who want to make a difference by promoting transparency, accountability, and informed engagement in our community. As part of the Observer Team, you’ll attend public meetings, take notes on the proceedings, and share key insights with fellow members.
This role is perfect for anyone who:
- Enjoys staying informed about local issues
- Wants to contribute in a meaningful but flexible way
- Values fairness, transparency, and civic engagement
Training and guidance will be provided, so no prior experience is necessary. Your commitment can be tailored to your availability.
If you’re interested in learning more or signing up, please reach out to:
- For Oconee County: Kerry9464 [at] att.net (subject: Observer%20Corps, body: ) (Sue Blount)
- For Pickens County: Sharon829 [at] me.com (subject: Observer%20Corps, body: ) (Sharon Morgenroth Burns)
ACTION 6: SAVE the Date: Seneca City Council Candidate Forum.
October 16, 6:30-8 pm, Seneca High School Auditorium
LWVOP Members contact spurlock.pat [at] gmail.com (subject: Seneca%20Candidate%20Forum, body: ) (Pat Spurlock )to volunteer.
ACTION 7: SAVE the Date: October 18, No Kings 2.
Seneca City Hall, 221 E North 1st Street, Seneca, SC
1 – 2:30pm EDT
At this time, the closest events are in Greenville (Graham Plaza, 300 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601) and Seneca (Seneca City Hall, 221 E North 1st St, Seneca, SC).
“LWVUS is an official partner for this day of mobilization to stand in solidarity with partners and stand up against hate and authoritarianism. The League has consistently and boldly spoken up in the face of rising authoritarianism. This is an opportunity to put words into action and show up in defense of democracy and as an effective ally. We encourage Leagues to lean in locally and participate in activations with partners on the ground in a nonpartisan manner.”
Looking for printed materials to hand out at protests? This link from cc4democracy.com provides free templates you can print from on your home printer.
ACTION 8: Save the Date, LWVOP Book Club
October 28, 1 pm
Join Holley Ulbrich, Eleanor Hare, and Ruth Reed for a discussion of "Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service" by Michael Lewis. LWV members and friends are invited. We will meet in the Conference Room, Central Clemson Public Library, 105 Commons Way, Central.
If you are interested, but you can't attend this session, email reed.juniata [at] gmail.com (subject: LWVOP%20Book%20Club, body: ) (Ruth Reed) and include what format (in person, zoom) would work for you) and what time (morning, afternoon, evening; weekdays , weekends.) We will discuss possible times, places, and formats) at this first session.
ACTION 9: Democracy Integrity Briefing, free online meeting
Tuesday, October 14 at 3:30pm ET
Here is the link to join us!
National-Level Actions
ACTION 10: Concerned about the Federal Government Shutdown? You can use FiveCalls.org as a resource to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative with your opinions.
Oppose a Blank Check Federal Budget Deal - GOV SHUT DOWN (UPDATED 10/1)
Sheri Biggs (R-SC) 864-224-7401
This is your representative in the House.
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) 202-224-5972
This is one of your two Senators.
Tim Scott (R-SC) 202-224-6121
This is one of your two Senators.
Action 11: Take CARE of yourself (and others!)
When it all gets too stressful, take a moment and find something to laugh about. Thanks to FunnyTimes.com.
ACTION 12: Join the League (if you are not already a member!
Help support the League in their mission of educating and informing voters.
ACTION 13: 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.
