December 31, 2025
Greetings League Friends!
There’s no better way to conclude the year than with a recap of some of our top activities and achievements.
January—The year began with final preparations with LWVAL and LWVFL for a tri-League Gulf Coast Convening on the theme of “Climate, Affordability, and Resilience.” The relevance of the theme was highlighted by a massive winter event in the Southeastern United States that iced roads all the way from Louisiana to Florida, necessitating the event’s postponement.
February—The next month LWVLA members from Lafayette and New Orleans made it over to a wonderful convening in Baldwin County, Alabama, home of one of the nation’s oldest local leagues, around back in 1924. We learned about climate change and its effects at local and state levels, and what community groups can do to take action.
March—Our State Convention held at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge, brought a stellar group of speakers on the themes of “Serving Democracy: The Value of Nonpartisan Civil Service,” including an Educator’s Panel focused on the importance of conscience and conviction for democratic institutions, including schools and libraries at every level. Our new board was also elected.
April—April was the midpoint of the legislative session, where LWVLA members monitored hearings and legislation on political signage, civil service, reproductive freedom, and other pressing matters. The League was also appointed to seats on two legislative studies and task forces this session.
May—The month of may brought the filing of our lawsuit against the Louisiana Secretary of State over the new state law requiring documentary proof of citizenship, which we argue is vague and illegal. Louisianans remain in the dark about the details of this bill and what may be required to register to and cast a vote. The litigation is ongoing.
June—In June, LWVLA President M. Christian Green represented LWVLA at the LWVUS Council in Leesburg, Virginia, where the League leaned into diversity, equity, and inclusion in a time when these core League values are under threat. We learned how to operationalize these values at local and state levels in service of a vibrant, multiracial democracy.
July—July was the first month of work on our “Making Democracy Work” grant, which LWVLA was proud to receive from LWVUS for a fourth consecutive level. This year’s grant is geared toward preparing the electorate for the 2026 midterms elections, with many new voting and election laws in effect, including closed party primaries for federal and some state offices.
August—As the academic year began, League members around the state visited schools, colleges, and universities around the state for the traditional back-to-school voter registration and voter information tables. LWV of Caddo-Bossier also has a specialty in voter registration and information at job fairs, during back-to-school and throughout the year. Reading, writing, ‘rithmetic, and right to vote is what they say in the schools. And getting registered to vote while getting a new job makes for engaged citizens.
September—At the end of September, LWVUS, LWVVA, and LWVLA, later joined by LWVTX filed a lawsuit against federal agencies—including DHS, SSA, and DOJ—challenging the uploading of voter records into a national database as a violation of the Privacy Act of 1974. We continue actively to pursue this litigation.
October—In October, LWVLA looked with voting rights groups from around the state and nation to the U.S. Supreme Court, for the rehearing of the Louisiana v. Callais case on congressional redistricting maps and ultimately the fate of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. We now await a decision, which could come as late as June or July 2026, with serious implications for federal midterm elections.
November—Following the Callais rehearing, a special session of the legislature was called to reschedule federal primary elections, now to take place in May and June, as closed party primaries. If a decision comes after after February 1, there may be only one primary election with no runoff and the plurality winners going to the November general election. If a decision comes after February 20, the new closed party primaries will be cancelled and will likely revert to the usual open or “jungle” primary elections in November and December. For now, all eyes are on the U.S. Supreme Court.
December—As the year wound to a close, local leagues in various parts of the state gathered for holiday celebrations. In true League fashion, some of those events also featured signature lists for public records requests. More on those in 2026!
The “Unite & Rise 8.5” campaign to register, educate, and activate 8.5 million voters continues—and Louisiana is seeking to reach 160,000 Louisiana voters before the 2026 midterm elections. As always, if you’re not with us yet as a League member, join us, tell your friends, and consider a donation to fund our work. From voter education to protection of voting rights and democracy itself, your League is working for you!
In League,
Your LWVLA State Board
Upcoming Events in January:
- January 1, New Year’s Day
- January 4, Epiphany (Mardi Gras season begins)
- January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 19, Civil Rights Day