January Newsletter
- LWV SouthCoast
- Jan 4
- 11 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
For LWVSC: Democracy Starts Close to Home
As we enter 2026, January invites us to pause, take a breath, and look ahead, and here on the SouthCoast, there is a lot to talk about. Our communities are changing, growing, and asking important questions about who we are and how we move forward together. At the League of Women Voters SouthCoast, we believe democracy lives closest to home, in the everyday conversations we have with neighbors and the choices we make as a community.
This year, many of those conversations will center on issues that feel both local and far-reaching. We are seeing the impact of immigration in our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, and with it an opportunity to listen, learn, and build understanding across cultures and experiences. The long-awaited railroad connection to Boston promises new access and economic possibilities, while also raising thoughtful questions about growth, affordability, and the character of our towns. And just offshore, the newly installed wind turbines in Vineyard Sound signal a shift toward clean energy, bringing environmental benefits alongside important discussions about jobs, infrastructure, and our region’s economic future.
As many members are aware, and others in the wider community have started to witness firsthand, the League has achieved a significant milestone. Over the past year, LWVSC made meaningful inroads in New Bedford by intentionally collaborating with other like-minded organizations committed to educating voters, elevating civic discourse, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. This collaborative approach was demonstrated most clearly through four successful Candidates’ Nights, one in Marion, one in Mattapoisett, and two in New Bedford. Working alongside community partners helped us reach new audiences, deepen trust, and continue evolving as a more inclusive and community-connected League.
Looking ahead, we invite both longtime members and new participants to be part of what comes next. In 2026, LWVSC will focus on expanding voter outreach and awareness, supporting legislation that advocates for upstream homelessness prevention, and developing clear, well-researched positions on the 2026 ballot questions. These priorities reflect our shared belief that informed participation and early, thoughtful engagement strengthen both policy and community.
None of these issues comes with simple answers. What they do offer is an open door: to learn together, to engage respectfully, and to help shape the future of the SouthCoast. As we begin the new year, we thank our members for their continued dedication and welcome all who care about our region to join us, because democracy is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table.
Eileen J. Marum
Chair League of Women Voters SouthCoast
P.S. The next member meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 21st, at 5:30 PM at the Millicent Library.
Civic Engagement Highlights
Acushnet | Dartmouth | Fairhaven | Marion | Mattapoisett
New Bedford | Rochester | Wareham | Westport
“Democracy is not a spectator sport.” — League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
Join Bristol Community College for its 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. The event is free and open to all.
The breakfast will be held in the Commonwealth College Center (G building) on the Bristol Fall River Campus and will include a breakfast buffet, a keynote address, and resource tables hosted by community organizations like LWV SouthCoast.
The event will feature the unveiling of a portrait of Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr., a Fall River native and Medal of Honor recipient who, during the Korean War, risked his life attempting to save his fellow squadron mate and wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African American to complete Navy flight training. The portrait, created by artist Brian Fox and donated by Paul Burke, will be permanently displayed at the college as a symbol to justice, character and community.
LWV SouthCoast member, Jessica Fidalgo, will be reading a condensed version of her winning essay during this event. To learn more about this event, visit the BCC website here.
LWVSC joins Conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss
On December 16 at 6:30 p.m., the League of Women Voters SouthCoast, in collaboration with the Leagues of Brookline, Dover-Sherborne, Needham, Sharon–Stoughton, and Wellesley, hosted a Zoom Conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss. The well-attended meeting provided an opportunity for League members to engage directly with the Congressman on pressing constitutional, democratic, national security, and climate issues.
Throughout the discussion, Congressman Auchincloss demonstrated a high level of attentiveness and preparation. He listened carefully to each question, responded directly to the concerns raised, and grounded his answers in constitutional principles, existing statutory authorities, and the practical realities of congressional action. His responses reflected both subject-matter knowledge and a clear respect for the role of Congress as a coequal branch of government and as a representative body accountable to the public.
The League of Women Voters SouthCoast (LWVSC) submitted the following four questions, of which two were selected: #2 and # 4, each of which received a thoughtful and informed response:
Immigration enforcement and constitutional protections
The League asked how Congress can use its legislative and oversight powers to ensure that immigration enforcement complies with the Constitution, including due process and Fourth Amendment protections, and to prevent warrantless street detentions. Congressman Auchincloss addressed Congress’s authority to conduct oversight of executive agencies, condition appropriations, and enact legislation that clarifies limits on enforcement practices, emphasizing the importance of constitutional safeguards even in complex immigration contexts.
Accountability for the January 6 insurrection
Noting that Members of Congress serve as the voice of the people, and referencing the bipartisan January 6th Committee’s findings that President Donald Trump committed insurrection, the League asked when Congress would move to impeach, convict, and remove him from office for these actions. Congressman Auchincloss responded by outlining the constitutional mechanisms for accountability, the political and procedural constraints involved, and the importance of preserving democratic norms and the rule of law through fact-based processes.
Congressional authority over unauthorized military action
The League expressed concern that the President, by seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and using lethal military force without a congressional declaration of war or publicly verifiable evidence, may be attempting to initiate a discretionary conflict. The question focused on what legal and constitutional powers Congress has to prevent unauthorized military actions involving Venezuela’s oil shipments and local fishers. Congressman Auchincloss discussed Congress’s war powers under Article I, including its authority over declarations of war, military funding, oversight hearings, and the use of statutory tools such as the War Powers Resolution.
Energy policy and climate action
Finally, the League asked how Congress can use its broad authority over U.S. energy and climate policy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Congressman Auchincloss outlined legislative pathways to promote renewable energy, invest in clean technology and infrastructure, and address the economic and environmental impacts of climate change through federal policy.
The conversation was both substantive and respectful, with Congressman Auchincloss offering clear, well-informed answers while seriously engaging with the concerns expressed by League members. This event underscored the significance of direct engagement between elected officials and civic organizations committed to promoting informed participation within our democratic system.
Collaborating with like-minded organizations
The League of Women Voters of the SouthCoast (LWVSC) recognizes collaboration as essential to fulfilling our mission in a region as diverse and complex as ours. Our Local League encompasses eight small towns and one gateway city, New Bedford, home to the nation’s number one fishing port, a vibrant arts community, and a rich cultural heritage. At the same time, the area faces persistent challenges, including economic inequality, housing affordability, and barriers to civic participation for historically underrepresented communities. No single organization can address these realities.
By intentionally collaborating with other like-minded organizations, LWVSC has strengthened its ability to educate voters, elevate civic discourse, and advance our shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These partnerships allow us to reach broader and more diverse audiences, share expertise, and build trust within communities that may not traditionally engage with League activities.
This collaborative approach was demonstrated most clearly through the four Candidates’ Nights held in 2025. LWV SouthCoast hosted two Candidates’ Nights in the towns of Marion (April 29, 2025) and Mattapoisett (April 30, 2025), ensuring that voters in our smaller communities had direct access to candidates and reliable, nonpartisan information. In New Bedford, two additional Candidates’ Nights were held, one for School Committee candidates on October 9, 2025, and one for Council at-Large candidates on October 15, 2025. These events were conducted in partnership with United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts, the Women’s Fund, the YWCA, the Immigration Assistance Center, the Women’s Alliance, and the Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council.
These collaborations significantly enhanced the reach and impact of the Candidates’ Nights. Partner organizations helped broaden outreach to communities of faith, women and families, immigrant populations, labor members, and residents who may face systemic barriers to participation. Their involvement increased attendance, amplified communication through multiple networks, and ensured that the events reflected the lived experiences and concerns of New Bedford’s diverse population. In turn, LWVSC provided its long-standing expertise in nonpartisan voter education, moderation, and fair candidate engagement.
Through these shared efforts, LWVSC made meaningful progress toward evolving as a more inclusive and community-connected League. Collaboration not only strengthened individual events but also deepened relationships with organizations aligned with our program priorities. These partnerships are helping LWVSC move beyond a traditional, siloed model toward a more responsive and equitable approach to civic engagement, one that recognizes collaboration as a powerful tool for building informed participation, mutual understanding, and lasting democratic impact across the SouthCoast.
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Recording: Indirect Taxation without Representation: A Conversation About Tariffs
The League of Women Voters SouthCoast was one of several proud sponsors of Indirect Taxation without Representation: A Conversation About Tariffs.
We are pleased to announce that the newest episode of the "Democracy In Everyday Life Series" is now live on YouTube!
Panelists Dr. Kent Jones, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Babson College, and Jim Klocke, Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, share their thoughts on the impact tariffs are having on democracy at the local, state, and national level. They also examine the role of the U.S. Constitution, Congress and Legal System in the implementation and usage of tariffs. This panel, moderated by LWVMA Board Director Erica Rachel Andrews, is a fantastic opportunity to see how tariffs are impacting our business and nonprofit sectors.
Check out the Democracy in Everyday Life webpage, and watch the new episode below.
Membership
Thank you to all of our members: new & sustaining. Our Chapter has grown to 52 members!
Did you know that there are tools available to you through the LWV membership portal? There, you can check your membership status, update your profile, access vote411.org, and track your involvement with the league and other organizations you volunteer for. You can even gift a membership, or invite someone to join!
From The State League
New Member Mingle
Please join us for LWVMA’s first New Member Mingle on Tuesday, February 24, at 7 PM on Zoom.
We’ll share a brief overview of LWVMA, including our staff, state Board, state committees, and local Leagues, followed by small-group conversations and a quick look at upcoming events. Whether you’re a new member or would like to connect, we hope you’ll join us.
Please click HERE to register, and feel free to invite a non-member friend if they are interested in learning more about the League.
Fifteen hundred residents of Massachusetts were kidnapped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in May; half of whom have no criminal record. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office maintains an Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) with ICE to jail ICE detainees–the only one in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts should not participate in federal mass deportations. We can’t stop ICE, but we can shine a spotlight on the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office imprisonment of our neighbors, who are not criminals, and their complicity in federal removal operations.
The Massachusetts Constitution guarantees equal protection under all laws to all people, regardless of nationality, citizenship, or immigration status.When due process is denied to any group, it weakens the rule of law for all of us. The League of Women Voters supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, the right to counsel, the right of appeal, and the right to humane treatment, and that no person or group should suffer legal discrimination.
Safety Note:
This is a heavy traffic intersection. We will follow safety protocols to avoid blocking street traffic. Review LWV peaceful protest guidance HERE. We will only be gathering along the sidewalk and grassy areas near the main intersection.
Logistics:
We will have due process rights signs available. You are welcome to bring your own signs focusing on policies and not people.
Due to our nonpartisan policy and to ensure a coordinated effort, we ask that all signs focus on issues related to supporting or advocating for immigrant communities and focus on due process or immigration policies.
Parking is available at the Home Depot parking lot or the shopping plazas off of Long Pond Road in Plymouth. Please do not park at the Sheriff’s office or police station. Amenities are available at the Shell Gas Station and Alltown Fresh Gas Station, both on Long Pond Road. Questions? Contact lwvma@lwvma.org.
Reminder: Commitments to Respect & Understanding
As we know, this year has been full of difficult news, horrifying policy decisions, and a constitutional crisis unlike any other our democracy has ever seen. The League of Women Voters has been a continued source of advocacy and information for those who seek common-sense solutions and nonpartisan support in navigating these issues.
While we are so grateful for everyone’s concerns, contributions, and commitment to fighting for a better future, it is unfortunate that at times, staff and volunteers will receive inappropriate and hostile messages, on occasion. While this work can be frustrating at times, we ask that everyone remembers that we are in this collective fight together, and to interact with one another in a civil manner, even when mistakes are made, or things are unable to move quickly.
Keep in mind that the requirement to engage in respectful discourse per our Member Rights and Responsibilities extends to the treatment of everyone in the League. Remember, democracy is not a fight won solo, and we are stronger together than we are apart!
From the National League
Unite and Rise 8.5 Video Series Now Streaming
Washington, D.C. – In its commitment to encourage civic action, the League of Women Voters (LWV) has launched its Unite and Rise 8.5 YouTube video series with three episodes. Hosted by LWV CEO Celina Stewart, the series brings together leading thinkers and movement builders for candid conversation focused on a critical question: How can Americans effectively stand up and speak to defend our democracy? This series is part of LWV’s Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative, created to engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy. The videos highlight the League’s historic commitment to advancing women’s leadership and inspiring communities to take meaningful civic action.
In Episode One, Stewart is joined by Dr. Erica Chenoweth, political scientist and author of Bread and Roses: Women on the Frontlines of Revolution. The discussion explores how women-led movements have shaped democracy and what today’s organizers can learn from those victories. Stewart and Chenoweth also examine how community mobilization, nonviolent strategy, and civic engagement remain essential tools for protecting democratic institutions today.
In Episode Two, Stewart is joined by two dynamic leaders: Sheila Katz,former CEO of the National Council for Jewish Women (and starting next month: Chief Jewish Life Officer at Jewish Federations), and Reverand Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council for Negro Women. Together, they engage in conversation about the immense power of women’s leadership in different movements, the intersection of faith and activism, and how spiritual traditions drive political participation.
Lastly, in Episode Three, Stewart is joined by Jahnavi Rao, founder of Young Voters. The discussion reframes the narrative of youth apathy by outlining how sustaining momentum requires giving young people tangible, youth-led projects that build a sense of agency and impact.
Unite & Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration. Launching in May 2025 and running until the 2026 midterm elections, this initiative is part of our Women Defend Democracy campaign. The number 8.5 million is the estimated number of voters it would take to bring about change through nonviolent protest, based off a finding from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights.
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