We take action to defend democracy!
Actions for the week of 10.13.2025
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
Local-Level Actions
ACTION 1: Attend No Kings 2 Rally.
Saturday, October 18, 1 – 2:30pm EDT
Seneca City Hall, 221 E North 1st Street, 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.”
Read LWVUS safety guidance for attending rallies.
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 2: ATTEND the 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 3: ATTEND meetings of your local government and stay informed on local issues.
LWVOP.org maintains an extensive calendar of local public meetings.
- Monday, October 13: Pickens City Council meeting in City Hall, 219 Pendleton St, Pickens, SC 29671 at 6 pm. Find Schedule of Meetings, City Council Minutes, Agendas, and Livestream Recordings.
- Monday, October 13: Oconee County School Board Meeting* at the District Office at 6 pm. If you cannot attend, there is a livestream option. Also, you may find the 2025 agendas and minutes from past meetings.
ACTION 4: 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 5: ATTEND webinar on the proposed Duke gas plant in Anderson.
Tuesday, October 14, at 6 pm
Sponsored by CVSC, Sierra Club and Upstate Forever. They will cover new updates on the plant and how folks can get involved. You can register here, and please feel free to share around.
ACTION 6: SPEAK OUT on proposed utility rate increase.
From AARP South Carolina’s Utilities Advocacy efforts, Jo Pauling Jones, State Associate Director-Advocacy and Outreach: “The SC Public Service Commission will hold public hearings to hear what Duke customers have to say. Those same Commissioners will make the final decision on the requested rate hike.”
Information available on the Duke Energy website. This does affect all counties in the Upstate.
Find information on how to advocate on the proposed rate increase from AARP SC.
October 13, 6:00 pm
Anderson County Council Chambers, 101 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624
October 14, 6:00 pm
Greenville Technical College, 506 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Building 101, Greenville
ACTION 7: SAVE THE DATE, Central Town Council and Mayor Candidate Forum.
October 23
LWVOP Members contact spurlock.pat [at] gmail.com (subject: Seneca%20Candidate%20Forum, body: ) (Pat )spurlock.pat [at] gmail.com (subject: Central%20Town%20Council%20Candidate%20Forum, body: ) (Spurlock)spurlock.pat [at] gmail.com (subject: Seneca%20Candidate%20Forum, body: ) ( )to volunteer.
ACTION 8: Save the Date, LWVOP Book Club
October 28, 1 pm
Conference Room, Central Clemson Public Library, 105 Commons Way, Central, sc.
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.
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.
State-Level Actions
Find your SC Legislators.
ACTION 9: 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.
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. 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.
ACTION 10: 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.
ACTION 11: CONTACT the Election Assistance Commission about new proof of citizenship requirements.
From Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs, LWVUS :
“There is a new attempt to require burdensome documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. We need every member of LWV to help us stop it.
The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is considering a petition asking it to initiate a process that would add documentary proof of citizenship to the federal voter registration form. Much like the SAVE Act, this proposal would force Americans to show specific, costly, hard-to-access documents like passports before registering to vote. An estimated 21 million Americans could be shut out from the ballot box, particularly rural voters, students, women, communities of color, and members of the military.”
Tell the EAC This is Voter Suppression.
National-Level Actions
ACTION 12: 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 13: 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 14: Join the League (if you are not already a member!
Help support the League in their mission of educating and informing voters.
ACTION 15: 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.
