Emails - League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County

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Date: 7/15/2026
Subject: LWV Bellingham/Whatcom - The Voter, July 2026
From: League of Women Voters Bellingham/Whatcom County

Be an Informed Voter!

bicyclist voting at drop box

Make note of the 2026 election season! Many of our members have already gotten busy working on voter registration, updating voters’ addresses and producing interviews of primary candidates. We promote ALL local elections but this year is especially important with five out of nine state Supreme Court seats being decided.

*The Primary Election is Tuesday, August 4, 2026

*The General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026

You can find non-partisan candidate information on our website here.

Also, save the date for a very important program “Behind the Black Robes” on Saturday September 19 10:00 to noon in Whatcom Community College’s Syre Center. We will have a panel of judges telling us what experience and background makes for a good judge. You will also get the chance to meet Supreme Court Justice candidates at the event.

Your ballot must be postmarked by election day to count. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing at least a week early. To avoid the post, use the Whatcom County Ballot drop boxes listed here.

Watch our Primary Election Videos

Ballots are being mailed today, due August 4. LWVBWC volunteers have conducted three-question interviews of most candidates in the primary election.

Learn more about the candidates before voting by watching these short recordings.

Watch

Behind the Black Robes - Save the Date!

In November, you will be asked to elect five of nine judges to the Washington Supreme Court. How will you decide?

On September 19, 10:00am, at the Whatcom Community College's Syre Auditorium, a panel of judges will discuss what judges do and how they do it. Save the date to become a better-informed voter!

Learn More

Vote NO to Protect Vulnerable Kids

There are two state initiatives that the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County and the LWV of Washington opposes. IL-26-001 would roll back important student privacy protections and make it easier for schools to disclose sensitive information about LGBTQ+ students to parents without the student's consent. IL-26-638 would prohibit transgender girls from participating in girls' school sports and require sex verification to determine eligibility.

Find out more on August 29, 10am to noon at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall: a special meeting of members.

Learn More

Sharing Our Water

Mark your calendars: on September 4th,, from noon until 8pm, the League's Climate Team, together with the Salish Current and the Whatcom Museum, will present Sharing Our Water: A Festival of Art, Voices and Community, bringing speakers from various agencies and non-profits to participate in panels that engage the audiences in the questions and possible avenues for cooperation to mitigate the effect of climate change on our fisheries, our farming community, our towns and infrastructure.

Learn More

HealthCare Team Summer Update

Summer is a quieter time for the Healthcare Issues Team, but not entirely devoid of activity.

In June we met in person at Cornwall Park to socialize and, of course, discuss healthcare -- lots of good discussion.

In July, we will resume meeting on Zoom. On Monday, July 20th at 10 am, Maureen McCarthy and Chris Gray from Whatcom Transportation Authority will join our group on Zoom to discuss an essential, but sometimes overlooked, component of healthcare, how to get to medical appointments. If you can’t drive, what do you do? Paratransit is one answer to the dilemma.

There will be no meeting in August – maybe get some beach therapy -- but meetings will resume on September 21st. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions for meeting topics.

Meanwhile, enjoy the summer!

Should Washington Have a Public Bank?

A public bank is a "state-owned" institution in which public funds are deposited. It is mandated to serve a public mission, which may include loans to other government agencies or to support private development. Unlike private banks, it has no shareholders. What are the pros and cons? Find out more at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on July 23, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Presenters:

Don Morgan, President & CEO, Bank of North Dakota
Liz Lovelett, Senator, 40th Legislative District

Learn More

Do You Need to Update Your Signature?

Washington voting is based on a signature system. If the signature on your ballot envelope doesn't match the one on file, your ballot will need to be "cured". Over time, our signature changes. It's easy to update your signature without going to the Auditor's Office. Follow the instructions on our Voter Registration page.

Here's How

Join Members for Coffee -- or a Brew

coffee beer
Please join us! We meet Wednesdays for Coffee and occasionally for Happy Hour.

Coffee
on Wednesday, August 12th
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
At the Downtown Community Food Co-op
We meet upstairs in the mezzanine
1220 N. Forest
Bellingham

If you are new, come early and grab yourself a drink downstairs and let’s talk about what interests you and how you might find your place in the League! If you are a longtime member, come get caught up with your friends and let us know how you are doing!

Happy Hour
On Wednesday, August 12th
5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
At Wander Brewing
1807 Dean Ave.
Bellingham

Come after work! Join us to visit and get caught up. If no one comes I leave at about 6:00 p.m.

Questions? Want to help with membership engagement? Please call Eileen McCracken 360-746-1984