Thanks to all of you who are contributing actions and ideas to this bi-weekly Action List.

Actions 5.25.2026

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.

State-Level Actions

25–26 SC Bills of Interest

Redistricting Update as of May 24, 2026

From Lynn Teague, Vice President of Issues and Actions, LWVSC

This Memorial Day weekend, we see a sad parody of representative democracy playing out at the State House. The Senate is in session to take up congressional redistricting with the intention of making our state’s delegation 100% Republican, in a state that is 40% or more Democratic. At present it seems likely that the clock will run out before they complete that task, but even if this battle ends on Memorial Day we can expect the war for fair maps that represent all of South Carolina’s people to continue.

⇨ ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

Thank the senators who so far have opposed this action. All senators of the Democratic Caucus have stood firm, and so have a number of Republicans. Senators Shane Massey, Tom Davis, Greg Hembree, Sean Bennett, and Chip Campsen voted no on including redistricting in the post-session Sine Die resolution. Senators Tom Davis, Sean Bennett, Luke Rankin, Chip Campen, and Shane Massey voted against suspending normal rules for redistricting debate in order to further rush this process. All of those who have opposed this effort deserve the thanks of their constituents. Everyone who has supported redistricting should be encouraged to join those who are defending representative democracy by opposing H.5683.

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina would like to know if you vote early on Tuesday, May 26, before the SC Senate votes on the redistricting proposal, H. 5683. We would like to present this information to the Senators before they vote. For example, "dozens of our members voted on Tuesday before the Senate voted."

Please take a moment and let us know if you vote early on May 26, or mail in a ballot before May 26.

Take this very brief 3-question survey.

How the redistricting affects voting:

• No matter what happens to congressional redistricting, the June 9 primary, and its attendant absentee and early voting, are the only opportunities to cast a vote in primaries for offices other than congressional seats. Everyone should vote in this primary.

• IF this mid-term redistricting FAILS, there will be no later primary for congressional seats so the June 9 primaries will be the only time to vote on those slates. Everyone should vote their preference in the congressional races in this primary.

• IF this mid-term redistricting SUCCEEDS, votes for congressional seats in the June 9 primary will be discarded although votes for all other offices will be counted. There will be a new election for congressional seats only on August 18, with attendant early and absentee voting opportunities.

• Primaries are often afflicted with low turnout, and that in turn feeds very unfortunate outcomes benefitting more extreme candidates who can get their voters to engage. A second congressional primary would be especially dangerous in this regard, with turnout possibly falling below the normally pathetic 15-20%.

The simple message to voters: Everyone should vote for every office on the ballot in the June 9 primary, including the congressional race. 

VOTE EVERY TIME YOU CAN
FOR EVERY SEAT ON THE BALLOT.

Save the Date: LWVSC Council June 20

Members: Registration closes June 13— or when we reach room capacity.  Learn more information about the State Council.

Local-Level Actions

Primary Elections on June 9, 2026!

The early voting period for the Statewide Primary starts on Tuesday, May 26 and ends Friday, June 5

Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (closed on Saturday and Sunday and state holidays).

Pickens County Early Voting Centers (all municipalities)

• County Voter Registration Office: 222 McDaniel Ave, Suite B-9, Pickens
• Capt. Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library: 304 Biltmore Rd, Easley
• Larry Bagwell Gymnasium: 111 Walkers Way, Easley
• Dacusville Community Center: 2671 Earls Bridge Rd, Easley
• East Clemson Baptist Church: 230 Frontage Rd Clemson

Oconee County Early Voting Center

• County Voter Registration and Elections Office: 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC

The deadline for voters to apply for an absentee ballot for the Primary Election is May 29, 2026, 5 pm.

It is recommended that you begin the process as early as possible.

Start the Absentee process NOW for the Primary by calling your county election office at 864.898.5948 (Pickens County) or 864.638.4196 (Oconee County). Request that they mail you an application for an Absentee Ballot.

Once you get your application, complete and return it by mail or in person to the county election office.

When you get your absentee ballot, complete it and be sure to sign the voter’s oath and have your signature witnessed. Anyone age 18 or older can witness your signature.

Your ballot must be received by mail or in person to the elections office by 7 pm on election day.

Local Politics Matter!

Stay informed and involved by attending meetings where important decisions are made.

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

• Monday, May 25: Pickens City Council Work Session, at 6 pm, 219 Pendleton St, Pickens, SC 29671. Find the Schedule of Meetings, City Council Minutes, Agendas, and Livestream Recordings (scroll to the bottom of the page).
• Tuesday, May 26 (due to a holiday): Pickens County School Board Meeting at 6 pm in the Administration Bldg, 1348 Griffin Mill Rd, Easley, SC 29640. Board meetings are livestreamed; to watch, please connect to the SDPC YouTube page. You may view video of past meetings.

Find a detailed list of Pickens and Oconee public meetings.

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This is the easiest and fastest way to spread our message to others in your circle. Facebook and Instagram are only effective as outreach when you like and share the posts!

National-Level Actions

Stay Engaged in the Fight for Voting Rights

An Important Message From Celina Stewart, Esq., CEO of League of Women Voters

This work doesn’t stop, and neither can we.

• Connect with your local League and join the nationwide movement to strengthen democracy in 2026.
• Join the work to build voter engagement through the Unite and Rise 8.5 form below.
• Stay ahead of election-related information by visiting VOTE411.org.
• Get your 2026 yard sign to show you’re standing firm for democracy.

Together, we have the power to defend our democracy and ensure every voice is heard.

Statement About the President’s Unilateral Military Action in Iran

WASHINGTON, DC—The League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following statement on behalf of Celina Stewart, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, regarding the President’s military action in Iran:

“The League of Women Voters is deeply concerned by the President’s decision to initiate unprovoked military action against Iran without prior congressional authorization.

“This is not about the character of any individual involved. It is about constitutional authority and the dangerous subversion of our system of checks and balances.

“The Constitution clearly assigns the power to declare war to Congress, an authority that was intentionally ignored. When a president goes around Congress to initiate military action, it is not a sign of strength. It is executive overreach and dangerous to Americans, both domestically and abroad.”

Read more about this military action.

⇨ACTION REQUESTED: Contact your US Senator Lindsey Graham, 864-646-4098; and US Representative Sheri Biggs. 864-224-7401 with your comments.

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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.

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