November Newsletter
- LWV SouthCoast
- Nov 3
- 7 min read
“Democracy is not a spectator sport.” — League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Greetings, our newsletter highlights civic engagement work by the League of Women Voters SouthCoast (LWVSC).
The LWV SouthCoast Co-Sponsors Statewide Democracy Series on Tariffs
We are pleased to announce that LWV SouthCoast is a co-sponsor of Indirect Taxation without Representation: A Conversation About Tariffs, the latest installment in LWVMA’s “Democracy: What Does It Mean in Everyday Life?” series.
This program will examine how tariff policies impact democratic participation and equity across communities, including the SouthCoast. While LWVMA was all set to record on October 21, they encountered a detour in the road due to an emergency with one of the panelists. The LWVMA will share the new date once confirmed, and together, we will deepen civic understanding and connect policy to everyday life.
Indirect Taxation without Representation: A Conversation About Tariffs
Part of LWVMA’s “Democracy: What Does It Mean in Everyday Life?” series explores how tariff policies function as a form of indirect taxation, often enacted without direct public input or legislative oversight. The conversation highlights how these economic tools impact democratic participation, equity, and transparency at the local, state, and national levels.
Facilitated by LWVMA Board Member Erica Rachel Andrews, the panel features State Senator Adam Gomez, who will offer insights on legislative implications, and Professor Kent Jones, who will provide historical and constitutional context.
Professor Jones is a Professor Emeritus of Economics at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, specializing in international trade policy and institutions, such as the World Trade Organization. He has also served as a senior economist for trade policy at the U.S. Department of State.
Topics for discussion encompass the influence of the U.S. Constitution, the role of Congress, and the functions of the legal system in crafting tariff policy. Additionally, the implications of tariffs on daily life, especially in marginalized communities, will be examined, alongside the ongoing tension between executive authority and representative governance.
The program aims to deepen public understanding of how economic policy intersects with democratic values and why civic engagement matters in shaping fiscal decisions.
Exploring Democracy Through Economic Policy
At LWV SouthCoast, we argue that democracy transcends a straightforward system of governance; it encompasses a lived experience that is assumed by the decisions and policies individuals make daily. A conversation about tariffs invites participants to examine how economic instruments such as tariffs impact equity, transparency, and civic engagement.
As we continue our work to foster informed engagement across SouthCoast communities, this conversation offers a timely lens on how fiscal policy intersects with democratic values, and why understanding these connections is essential to building a more inclusive future.
Co-Sponsors
This event is co-sponsored by LWV Amherst, LWV Boston, LWV Brookline, LWV Cape Cod Area, LWV Concord-Carlisle, LWV Dover-Sherborn, LWV Falmouth, LWV Harvard, LWV Marblehead, LWV Needham, LWV Newton, LWV Sharon-Stoughton, LWV SouthCoast, LWV Waltham, LWV Wayland, LWV Westford, and LWV Williamstown.
LWVSC, one of eight organizations that sponsored the New Bedford Candidates’ Forums
The recent candidates’ forums in New Bedford provided a vital opportunity for residents to hear directly from individuals vying for positions on the School Committee and the City Council. Taking place in October 2025, these events emphasized the candidates’ visions for the city’s future, with a particular focus on education, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as a range of broader municipal issues. With contested races for both the School Committee and at-large City Council seats, the forum underscored the importance of civic engagement in shaping New Bedford’s trajectory.
For the School Committee, candidates like Melissa Costa, Marcus Coward, Von Marie Moniz, and Richard Porter shared their perspectives on pressing educational issues. They addressed topics such as improving academic outcomes, supporting teachers, and fostering inclusive environments for students of all backgrounds. DEI emerged as a central theme, with candidates emphasizing the need to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for all students.
The forum also allowed candidates to discuss their strategies for collaborating with educators and families to strengthen the school system.
Meanwhile, the at-large City Council race featured seven candidates competing for five seats, reflecting the community’s growing interest in local governance. Candidates shared their priorities, which ranged from economic development and public safety to infrastructure improvements and environmental sustainability. They also emphasized their dedication to giving a voice to the diverse residents of New Bedford, making sure that the city’s growth is equitable and benefits all neighborhoods.
The forum served as a reminder of the power of dialogue in democracy. By engaging with the candidates, residents gained insight into their platforms and values, enabling them to make informed decisions at the ballot box. Events like this not only strengthen the connection between elected officials and their constituents but also inspire greater participation in the democratic process, fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.
A Heartfelt Thanks to the LWVSC Team for Their Dedication
The League of Women Voters of SouthCoast (LWVSC) demonstrated its unwavering commitment to democracy by assisting with the organization of two outstanding candidate forums in New Bedford, Massachusetts. These events, which provided a platform for informed civic engagement, would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of several remarkable individuals.
Lyn Dillies, serving as Timekeeper, ensured the forums ran smoothly and fairly, maintaining the structure that allowed every candidate to voice their perspectives. Moderator Jack Eklund brought professionalism and poise, guiding the discussions with clarity and impartiality, fostering an environment of respect and thoughtful dialogue. Jessica DeCicco-Carey, our Web Master, deserves high praise for clearly and promptly announcing both candidate forums on the LWVSC website.
Betty Hill, our Membership Officer, played a vital role in supporting the event’s logistics and outreach, ensuring the forums were accessible and inclusive. Finally, Co-chair Eileen Marum’s leadership and vision were instrumental in bringing the forums to life, reflecting her deep commitment to empowering voters.
Together, these individuals exemplified the spirit of civic responsibility. Their hard work enriched the democratic process, and for that, we extend our deepest gratitude.
The “No Kings” protests have surged across the country, with tens of thousands flooding city and town streets, their voices reverberating off marble facades, glass towers, and small town intersections. On that crisp autumn day, Americans stood united, rejecting the slow erosion of democracy and the rise of unchecked power. It was a breathtaking moment, one that felt like a reckoning.
But here is the hard truth: without action, this moment will fade. If the energy in those streets is not channeled into a strategy, the “No Kings” movement risks becoming a beautiful, fleeting memory, powerful in image but powerless in outcome. Marches do not dismantle systems. Hashtags do not pass legislation. And outrage, no matter how righteous, means little if it does not translate into votes, policy, and sustained civic engagement.
So, the question is not what we are angry about; we know that. The question is: what now?
Is there a plan for the midterms? Are we cultivating candidates, not career politicians, but everyday citizens, who will carry the “No Kings” ethos into office? Are we building the infrastructure to turn protest into policy, to hold power accountable? And what do we do in the meantime? Wait for the next election and hope for the best? Or do we build something lasting, something that cannot be ignored, bought, or co-opted?
History offers a blueprint. When colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor in 1773, it was not for spectacle; it was a declaration. The Boston Tea Party ignited a revolution, challenging the idea that power could be inherited or unaccountable. It was bold. It was followed by action.
America was born from those who believed the people have the power. Today, as we march under “No Kings” banners, we stand at a similar crossroads. Will this generation rise to the challenge, or let the moment dissolve into nostalgia? Will we forge a movement, or settle for a memory?
Because power yields nothing without pressure, slogans mean nothing without strategy. Marches mean nothing without votes. If we believe in “No Kings,” we must act like founders of our own future. That means organizing locally, voting in every election, and demanding integrity from those in the U.S. Congress, those in power. It means building a movement that does not wait for permission.
“No Kings” is more than a chant; it is a call to reclaim democracy. The world is watching. History is listening. The next chapter is ours to write.
The Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
The EAC’s responsibilities are primarily focused on providing support, information, and voluntary guidelines to state and local election officials.
The organization America First Legal Foundation (AFL) formally petitioned the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in July 2025 to initiate a rulemaking process for adding documentary proof of citizenship to the federal voter registration form. The request was filed following an executive order from President Donald Trump in March 2025 that similarly directed the EAC to pursue such a change.
Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, criticized President Trump’s executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. Ms. Lakin called it an unconstitutional abuse of power that would burden voters and election officials. Ms. Lakin described it as part of a broader effort to undermine democratic elections through unfounded conspiracy theories. She praised the court’s decision to block the order and affirmed the ACLU’s commitment to protecting voter access.
The ACLU and its co-counsel, representing the League of Women Voters, issued a joint statement supporting the court’s preliminary injunction. They emphasized that millions of citizens lack easy access to documents like passports, and such requirements should not hinder voter registration. They argued the president’s order oversteps constitutional boundaries, which assign election authority to Congress and the states, not the executive branch. The statement warned that the order would harm both voter registration groups and the voters they serve in upcoming elections.
The EAC, an independent and bipartisan federal agency, closed its comment collection on October 20, 2025. The League of Women Voters United States (LWVUS) thanked state and local Leagues for submitting comments and promoting the action alert. Note: The LWVSC submitted seven pages of comments to the EAC on October 9, 2025.
Sincerely,
Eileen J. Marum, Co-chair, LWVSC
For over 100 years, we have been fighting to advance voting rights and create a more perfect democracy — and that work continues today. If you’re looking for ways to get involved in your community and help defend our democracy, join the League of Women Voters of the SouthCoast today!
Sign up online at www.lwv.org/join.
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