The Post & Courier

The League of Women Voters Charleston Area and the national organization have a long-standing commitment to voter registration efforts at naturalization ceremonies. Their November lawsuit challenged an abrupt rule change that bans the League of Women Voters and other nonpartisan civic groups from registering new citizens at Immigration Services-hosted naturalization ceremonies. The complaint raises important legal claims related to the federal government’s failure to follow proper legal process and violations of our rights under the First Amendment.

Lola Campbell, a sixth-generation Hilton Head Islander, shared her family’s Gullah heritage and its influence on her life at the League's December 9 Holiday Luncheon. She highlighted the Gullah culture’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear, rejecting harmful behaviors, maintaining faith, and utilizing talents. These values, instilled in the Gullah community, underscore the significance of voting as a means of creating positive change.

On December 9, the Beaufort County School Board voted to restrict five more books: The Handmaid’s Tale and Oryz and Crake by Margaret Atwood, November 9 by Colleen Hoover, Perfect by Ellen Hopkins, and Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaipur. A parental signature will be required for a student to checkout any of these books from the school libraries. These books were among 92 challenged books previously returned to shelves by review panels of parents, community members, teachers, librarians, and educators. State Regulation 43-170 provides a parent appeal process.

Good governance requires the “right ingredients” (the right mix of board members), a chef (League presidents or co-presidents) to provide leadership and accountability, and “careful mixing and stirring of candid discussions, transparent practices, and thoughtful governance policies. Quarterly LWVSC "Governance Matters" memos are designed to help a board do its work and do its work better. Check out this first memo!