January 2026 - LWVWV members - lists.frackcheckwv.net

MSN for WV Kids re: SB 216
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 30 Jan '26

30 Jan '26

[image: lwv msn logo.png] LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE FOR WV KIDS! SB 216 is advancing and will likely be voted on soon by the full senate. This bill removes nearly all state oversight from private schools. *It's important to remember that private schools receive millions of dollars in public funding via the Hope Scholarship. However, if this bill passes, private schools will not be required to administer any formal testing, track or report attendance, set curriculum objectives, or even meet a minimum hours of instruction.* In committee, one senator compared private schools to grocery stores and argued that these schools should be run with “free market capitalism” - meaning, no rules - where the only repercussion for failure is a failed business. But the truth is, this bill would set WV children up for failure through no fault of their own. LWVWV believes that all schools should be accountable for ensuring our kids receive an adequate education. ACTION: Contact your WV Senators (you have two!) and tell them you oppose SB 216 and they should too! BILL STATUS: This bill passed through the Senate School Choice Committee on 1/28/2026. It will now go to the Senate floor. If it passes there, it will go to the House. *If you don't know who your Senators are, enter your home address at: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/ and click on your Senators to find their contact information. Senate Bill 216 Text: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb216%20in…

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Subject: Half Century of Service with Betty Barrett
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 27 Jan '26

27 Jan '26

League State Board, Local Presidents and Friends: Due to the inclement weather and the forecast for this weekend, the Huntington League of Women Voters is canceling "The Half Century of Service with Betty Barrett", which was to be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Woodlands. We apologize for any inconvenience, and will let you know as soon as the event is rescheduled. Wendy Thomas, Co-PresidentMartha Woodward, Co-President

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MSN - OPPOSE HB 4433 - Final House of Delegates vote on January 26th
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 25 Jan '26

25 Jan '26

[image: lwv msn logo.png] UPDATE: HB 4433 has passed out of committee and will likely be up for a vote in the full House of Delegates on Monday, 1/26. While this bill has been improved through the committee and amendment process, it continues to equate assisting an undocumented immigrant with human smuggling. LWVWV urges West Virginia lawmakers to focus on bills that address critical West Virginia needs. We have so many. Anti-immigrant bills serve a political agenda, not West Virginians. ACTION: Please contact your Delegate* and urge them to vote NO on HB 4433. You may also continue to add comments at https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=4433&year… *If you don't know who your Delegate is, enter your home address at: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/ and click on your Delegate to find their contact information.

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New LWV-MM Substack -- Read & Subscribe
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 25 Jan '26

25 Jan '26

Check out our new post! Is our Federal Judiciary performing its assigned role in the separation of powers? This month we introduce the new metrics adopted by the League to hold the Judiciary accountable. https://lwvmorgantown.substack.com/p/article-iii-the-establishment-of [image: image.png]

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Make Some Noise to OPPOSE SB 388, Bibles in public schools
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 22 Jan '26

22 Jan '26

[image: lwv msn logo.png] Let’s Make Some Noise -- OPPOSE SB 388 OPPOSE SB 388, which would require christian bibles in public school classrooms in WV. Why Does LWVWV Oppose This Bill? LWVWV believes in the individual liberties in the Constitution of the United States, including Amendment 1, which mandates separation of church and state. The purpose of the “Establishment Clause” in Amendment 1 is to protect persons of all religions, including those who have none. Any government preferring any religion over another violates separation of church and state. This bill specifically requires the “Aitken Bible” (a particular christian bible) to be available in all fourth, eighth, and 10th grade social studies classrooms in public schools in WV. It does not require public funds to implement the mandate. STATUS & ACTION: This bill passed through the Senate Education Committee on 1/22/2026. It will now go to the Senate floor. If it passes there, it will go to the House. ✳️ Contact your Senators to tell them you oppose this unconstitutional bill. Contact information is at WV Senate <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Senate1/roster.cfm>. If you’re unsure who your Senators are, use the interactive map <https://www.mapwv.gov/vote/> provided by the Secretary of State.

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MSN - OPPOSE HB 4433 - hearing Jan 19, 9am
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 19 Jan '26

19 Jan '26

[image: lwv msn logo.png] We are less than one week into the WV legislative session and it’s time to MAKE SOME NOISE! HB 4433 will be on House Judiciary Committee agenda, Monday morning at 9:00AM. This bill would make it a criminal offense to help undocumented people in West Virginia, under the guise of stopping human trafficking. We believe it is our duty to help neighbors in need regardless of their immigration status. This bill would further stigmatize and harm our immigrant communities and those who care about them. ACTION: Before the committee meets, submit your comments using the "Add a Public Comment" button at: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=4433&year…

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Fw: Newsletter
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 18 Jan '26

18 Jan '26

League State Board, local Presidents and Friends: Attached is the January Newsletter from the Huntington League of Women Voters. We hope you enjoy! Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

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Board Meeting REMINDER -- JAN 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 16 Jan '26

16 Jan '26

Updated Agenda, JAN 17, 2026 Agenda (Google drive) <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1csJdm2OvuXLxaZxB-0scfJ1tRUqVcvh5/view?usp=…> LWVWV BOARD AGENDA - JAN 17, 2026 REVISED – 1/14/2026 ZOOM Link: Time: Jan 17, 2026 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84290149471?pwd=j3Cj91QJAkW2ICBaaXz41IUdMiDwxo.1 Meeting ID: 842 9014 9471 Passcode: 846876 --- One tap mobile +16469313860,,84290149471#,,,,*846876# US +13017158592,,84290149471#,,,,*846876# US (Washington DC) 10:00 AM Welcome & Call to Order, Changes/Additions to Agenda Lyn Widmyer Approval of minutes - Co-Presidents’ Reports - Postcards to all LWV members urging legislators not to suppress the vote sent Jan 12. Additional postcards mailed to League Presidents for local distribution. - Webinar co-hosted with Delta sorors on effects of HR-1 (Big Beautiful Bill) on West Virginia and update on Project 2025: Wed, Jan 7. Lyn Widmyer Judy Ball Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer’s Report <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fKoy7ses4ONrRKiu0keBc7WrU3ngUu-u/view?usp=…> - Still need League members to serve on the board of LWV Trust. - Review of budget allocation to send delegates to national convention: early-bird rates ($575) available thru Mar 31. Teresa 10:20 a.m. New Business Preparing for 2026 election season - VOTE411 - Voter education on new photo ID law -- high priority - Any local Leagues planning candidate forums? Autumn Lyn Judy Legislative Day - Need committee to organize Lyn Digital maintenance — Jonathan is overwhelmed - Need support for webpage management - Cleaned up access for FB page; Julie & Bekah now have upgraded access. Judy Julie LLAW — Prepared for Jan 2026 Legislature - Activated FastDemocracy Pro subscription. - Multiple LLAWers participated in FD training Dec 19. - Tech support has been speedy. - Before session, completed testing (full test across 2460 bills from 2025) with Claude AI for help with heavy lifting of manual bill review. - On Day 1 of Legislature (Jan 14), opened paid Claude account. $107/month, including tax. Will close at session’s end. - Judy briefed Morgantown NOW on LLAW, Jan 13. - Del. Evan Hansen will introduce nonpartisan bills supported by LLAW. We set the following priorities: - Current WV law permits voters who request assistance due a disability to have that disability challenged. These provisions should be repealed. (Talking points <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E4iOf3d7VxBHMu_2svMiOQluAbIp78Tw/view?usp=…> on this policy issue.) Judy reviewed bill prepared by bill drafters & sent back edits. - Bill to codify procedures for redistricting in WV, HB 2415 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=2415&year…> in 2025, will be re-introduced. - Our bill to modernize election procedures, HB 2447 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=2447&year…> in 2025, will not be re-introduced this session. It may come back in a future session. Judy Highlights of LWVUS Leader meetings - LWVUS has a new regional organizing model. https://www.lwv.org/league-management/advocacy-litigation/lwvs-organizing-m… - Each state assigned to a region with a coordinator. - Region 2: West Virginia & District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. - 2025-12-10 - LWVUS State Leaders Call.pdf <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ARCr7T395QMAu8XCvCbLxMrdzphNlyIy/view?usp=…> - 2025-12-17 - LWVUS State Leaders -Region 2.pdf <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ME9938-akrBOJtL3CfFi5Xe_bS-Bye_W/view?usp=…> Lyn Judy Prep for LWVUS Convention - LWV-Colorado requests concurrence on Religious Freedom <https://drive.google.com/file/d/192GLxMWZihfBOwG3JWL116rXkte8R-KZ/view?usp=…> - LWV-Washington requests concurrence on Protecting Immigrants <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oRuTMEo3xFTd10VriyUPmgX15YIbfBkd/view?usp=…> 11:20 a.m. Unfinished Business - No update on amicus brief case - Vacancies on state Board still unfilled - Designate president of Huntington not represented Lyn Local League Reports ✦ Huntington Area ✦ Jefferson County - Scheduling postcard party re voter suppression Lyn ✦ Morgantown-Monongalia County - Substack update. 159 subscribers as of Jan 14. That’s +40 since Dec 2025! LWVMorgantown.substack.com <http://lwvmorgantown.substack.com> - Lively Jan 10 in-person meeting for members & others. At least 1 new member from the event. She is retired from elections office of Mon County Clerk; very experienced. - URL for new website unresolved after months of effort. We have gone forward with LWVUS-issued URL: https://morgantown-monongaliacountywv.lwv.org/ - Judy is teaching a class at OLLI on LWVUS Judiciary Position, Feb 17. Class will be hybrid, so OLLI members outside of Morgantown may attend by Zoom. - Next Board meeting, Jan 15. - Updated flyers for voter events — for any local League to use: - Voter Registration Event <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OwTjMSwqMzfpCjrfd6QDMtJVaDYBubT3/view?usp=…> - Student Voters <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YNm5AIb7YO0v6j2UFVgYoCw79BBvv1el/view?usp=…> - Photo ID <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cKmq_9tlPiKhXZzbY8925AHHcnJIu1Ge/view?usp=…> - Absentee Ballots <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WufQuWrOveVSKQt_YvO5fr2Oi-uBlZ1G/view?usp=…> - T-shirts! Anyone who ordered a T-shirt … they are done & beautiful. Judy For the good of the order Noon ADJOURN Next Meetings/Events: - Mar 15 - May 17 - Jul 19 - Sep 20 - Nov 15

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Please open envelope from LWVWV!!!
by Lyn Widmyer 15 Jan '26

15 Jan '26

We have sent you an envelope containing a stamped postcard urging our state legislators to oppose voter suppression. It's only the second day of the 2026 legislative session and bills suppressing the vote are being introduced. We will keep you informed. PLEASE send a postcard to your legislator of choice! -- Lyn Widmyer, Co-President LWVWV 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

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MAKE SOME NOISE -- SUPPORT Childhood Vaccinations in WV
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 11 Jan '26

11 Jan '26

[image: lwv msn logo.png] Forwarding the following message from Stand for Kids. The League of Women Voters of WV supports vaccinations for WV children. *FOLKS,* It's "VACCINE WEEK"! The 2026 session of the WV Legislature starts Wed., Jan. 14. PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS (2 senators, 1 delegate)...and also the following: Senate President Randy Smith 304-357-7995 randy.smith(a)wvsenate.gov Speaker Roger Hanshaw 304-340-3210 roger.hanshaw(a)wvhouse.gov Chair of their respective Health & Human Resources Committee: Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman 304-357-7918 laura.chapman(a)wvsenate.gov Del. Evan Worrell 304-340-3269 evan.worrell(a)wvhouse.gov 1. thank them for their service, and if they voted to preserve our school vaccine law (see attached vote record), for protecting our kids from dangerous and preventable diseases & deaths; 2. ask them to please KEEP OUR LAW---NO EXEMPTIONS/NO EXCEPTIONS except medical; 3. thank them for their “Jobs First” focus this session. Other talking points (you can include some, all, or none): 1. WV is #1 in the country in school vaccine rates 2. 43 states reported measles last year, including all 5 states that border WV—but not in WV, BECAUSE we have a strong vaccine law! 3. Recent polls show West Virginians overwhelmingly support our school vaccine law 4. Vaccines completely eliminated smallpox & greatly reduced other diseases 5. When kids are in close contact for hours each day, high vaccine rates stop the spread of disease. This keeps schools & childcare centers safe 6. Last year in Kentucky, 3 infants died of whooping cough (pertussis). Our state epidemiologist issued a health alert Nov 6: WV now has an increase in whooping cough cases not seen in 15 years! 7. When states have religious or philosophical exemptions, 2 things happen: - vaccine rates go down; - diseases go up--AND the costs to the community go UP! Not sure who your delegate or senator is? Use a) WV Voter Map, or b) ballotpedia.org/who_represents_me Thanks, all! Robin Robin L. Godfrey Chair, Stand for Kids 304-552-2567 [image: image.png] "Stand for Kids is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working to preserve West Virginia's medical-exemptions-only school immunization law, protecting our children and families from dangerous and preventable diseases and deaths."

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LWVWV members January 2026