* Welcome Members
* Bring a Tray to Back to League
* Candidate Forums — Oct 8 & 15, 6–7 PM, Williamsburg Regional Library
* W&M Homecoming Parade — Oct 17, 4–5 PM
* No Kings Day 2 — Oct 18, 12–2 PM, WJCC Courthouse
* Back to League — Oct 30, 4 PM, Legacy Hall
* ICE in Virginia
* Local League in Action – Farmers Market
* Local League in Action – September 16–18 Voter Registration Events
* LWVUS v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
* League Board Meeting — Nov 5, 4 PM
* Book Group — Nov 6, 4:30 PM | Bring a Tray to Back to League - October 30!
We’d love about eight volunteers to bring food for the refreshment table — appetizers, fruit, or sweet treats all welcome!
Please arrive at 2:30 PM with your tray for setup at Legacy Hall.
Thank you for helping make Back to League a warm and welcoming event!
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Welcome Members
Thank you to all who joined or renewed their membership this past month!
Anne Allen, Rebecca Andrews (**), Nancy Vincent Archibald (**), Christine Faia, Virginia Gasink, Thomas Goodale, Pamela Gray, Jeanne Renee Hawthorne & Dennis Litalien, Paula Hougen, Ann Hunt, Joan Keith, Denise Koch, Dee May (**), Elaine McBeth (**), Tammy Moore, Pam Pettengell, Nancy Risseeuw (**), Catherine Shames (**), Leslie Smith, Sandra Stephan (**), Regina Thek
Note below:
Those marked (**) included an additional contribution with their dues.
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WHRO Public Media and Williamsburg Watch are hosting two candidate forums -- one on Wednesday, Oct. 8 for candidates for the James City County Board of Supervisors and WJCC School Board -- and one on Wednesday, Oct.15 for House of Delegates candidates for the 69th and 71st districts.
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland St.
6 to 7:30 pm
Featuring candidates for James City County Board of Supervisor and the
Williamsburg-James City County School Board
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland St.
6 to 7:30 pm
Featuring candidates for the 69th and 71st House of Delegates districts
| No Kings Day 2
Mobilize
On Saturday, October 18, from 12–2 PM, join the No Kings 2 Mobilization at the WJCC Courthouse in New Town (5201 Monticello Ave.).
The League of Women Voters of the United States is a national partner for this day of action, standing in solidarity against hate and authoritarianism. As League members, we are encouraged to show up locally, visibly, and proudly.
If you attend as a League member by wearing a League T-shirt, button, or other League gear, you are representing the League, so:
- Carry only nonpartisan signs and join only in nonpartisan chants.
- Do not wear or display partisan clothing or messaging.
- This is an opportunity for us to live out the League’s mission and values in public view.
Co-hosted by Williamsburg JCC Indivisible and Indivisible Essex. |
Thursday, October 30
Legacy Hall, 4301 New Town Avenue
Come early for refreshments and connection — doors open 3:30 PM, and the panel begins promptly at 4:00 PM.
All members and guests are warmly invited to this annual kick-off event featuring conversation, learning, and good company.
Panel Topic: How ICE policies and voter suppression are affecting Williamsburg, James City County, and Virginia
Panelists:
- Professor Stacy Kern-Scheerer, William & Mary Law School
- Mark Jamison, JCC Police Chief
- Patricia Bracknell, President, Chamber of Hispanic Progress
- Moderator: Former State Senator Monty Mason
Q&A follows the panel, plus time to reconnect with League friends over light refreshments.
Register for Back to League
Can You Bring a Tray?
We’d love about ten volunteers to bring food for the refreshment table — appetizers, fruit, or sweet treats all welcome!
Please arrive at 2:30 PM with your tray for setup at Legacy Hall.
Sign Up to Bring Food
Questions? Contact lwvwacommunications@gmail.com
Thank you for helping make Back to League a warm and welcoming start to the year!
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Snapshot
Immigration enforcement has been in the spotlight across Virginia this year. Here are some key facts and headlines that give a quick picture of what’s happening.
Key Facts
- Governor ordered state police and prisons to cooperate with ICE (Feb 2025).
- ICE arrests have taken place at courthouses in Chesterfield and Richmond.
- Advocates raised concerns about conditions at ICE’s Chantilly Field Office.
- Statewide ICE arrests are up compared with past years.
Recent Coverage
- Washington Post · Feb 27, 2025 · Virginia governor orders state police, prisons to cooperate with ICE
- Virginia Mercury · Jun 27, 2025 · ‘Hallowed ground, desecrated’: ICE sweeps at Chesterfield court draw fierce backlash
- VPM News · Jul 31, 2025 · ICE raid sparks fear and uncertainty in Richmond’s immigrant community
- WTOP · Sep 5, 2025 · Allegations of ‘inhumane’ treatment prompt ACLU of Virginia to demand changes at Chantilly ICE Field Office
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Local League in Action - Farmers Market
Out in the Community: League members connect with neighbors through voter education
It is always wonderful to get out in public to focus on our objectives of voter registration and voter education. Jane Banfield and I spent an absolutely lovely Saturday morning staffing an information table at the Williamsburg Farmers Market in Merchants Square. It is so important for the League to be seen in the community.
While we didn’t complete any new voter registrations that day, our time was filled with voter education. As you can see, we had many opportunities to inform and engage local voters—so I would say our time was very well spent.
Many, many people were happy to see our table and shared kind words. Quite a few mentioned that they had once been members of the LWV but were not currently active—so of course, we encouraged them to rejoin!
Questions we answered at the market included:
- Do you have sample ballots?
- What happens when someone dies—who takes them off the voter rolls?
- Where can I vote early?
- When can I vote early?
- Where is the handicapped parking for the Farmers Market? (1 time—yes, we answered this one too!)
- Where can I find information on the election?
- We have already voted absentee—what next?
- Are you busy? (1 time)
- When will my voter card come? (1 time, from a W&M student)
- When is the Special Election?
- How do I know if my registration has been processed?
- Parents of an LGBTQ+ W&M student asked: Will her new ID documents work for a trans person?
And, of course, we had the joy of seeing many of our neighbors and friends. So social, so fun!
📍 Come visit us at our next Farmers Market Day on October 11, 8 a.m.–12 noon.
~ Jill Whitten |
Local League in Action - September 16-18
(photo: Dina Smith and her son, Neil, a senior at Warhill HS)
League volunteers hosted voter registration tables at all three WJCC public high schools September 16–18.
New member Ginny Gasink completed her training just in time to assist Laura Tripp at Jamestown High School on National Voter Registration Day, September 16. Ginny also serves as our contact at the Williamsburg Community Foundation for League Scholarships.
At Lafayette High School on September 17, Dina Smith joined Laura—spending her birthday helping students register to vote! Dina’s son, Neil, is a senior at LHS, giving her an extra reason to enjoy the day. Laura rounded out the week at Warhill High School on September 18.
The League also provided updated QR code voter registration posters for all 11th- and 12th-grade social studies classrooms and common areas. These allow eligible students to register online using school laptops, in accordance with Virginia Code §22.1-203.4, which ensures students are given time in class to register to vote. |
League of Women Voters v. US Department of Homeland Security
"Virginians have a right to privacy in their data and protection from unlawful investigations and purges. The League is disturbed by this unlawful collection of our data, and we are proud to push back on behalf of our members because every Virginian deserves the assurance that their right to privacy and right to vote will be protected." ~ Joan Porte, president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia.
The League of Women Voters of the United States, joined by the League of Women Voters of Virginia and other partners, has filed a class action lawsuit on September 30 against the Trump-Vance administration’s interagency “data banks.” These centralized systems combine IRS, Social Security, health, labor, and voter registration records in violation of the Privacy Act and Constitution.
The League argues the databases have already been misused to purge voters and launch faulty investigations, posing serious risks to Virginians. This case underscores the League’s essential role in defending privacy and voting rights. | Book Group
November 6 | 4:30 PM
Did you know that the League has a book club that meets quarterly?
Our next meeting is November 6 at 4:30 PM to discuss Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire.
Hope to see you at the League Book Group!
For directions email:
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Not a member yet? Joining the League connects you with others who care about empowering voters and defending democracy in our community.
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League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area
lwvwilliamsburg.org
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P.O. Box 1086, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1086
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