For centuries, women worked to improve their communities and help shape the future of the nation. They understood that laws and policies, from education and public health to labor protections and civil rights, touch every part of our daily lives. Voting meant having a voice in those decisions.

When the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt proposed a new kind of organization—not one that would disband after the vote was won, but one that would prepare people to be informed, active citizens. That organization became the League of Women Voters.

From the start, the League has worked to educate voters, expand access to the ballot, hold government accountable, and empower all people to participate fully in civic life.

Our Local League: Nonpartisan and Patriotic

The League of Women Voters of Washington County carries that mission forward today. We are a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that does not support or oppose political candidates or parties. Instead, we support civic participation, constitutional literacy, and informed public dialogue.

We believe nonpartisan civic engagement is deeply patriotic because true patriotism means protecting the rights, responsibilities, and institutions that allow our democracy to function. Participation in civic life is the highest form of love for American values.

A Growing Crisis of Confidence

Today, our constitutional democracy is under pressure. Fewer than half of young people believe that democracy is the best form of government, and many are skeptical that their vote matters at all, according to CIRCLE at Tufts University. This crisis of trust is growing just as civic challenges mount.

At the national level, we are witnessing a disturbing pattern: disregard for court rulings, attacks on independent institutions, the vilification of individuals and groups in American society, and violations of due process—all of which threaten the constitutional framework our rights depend on.

In late April, a federal judge blocked part of an anti-voter executive order after the League of Women Voters and partners filed suit to stop an unlawful citizenship documentation requirement. The provision would have forced voters to present proof of citizenship, something federal law does not require, despite proof that Illegal non-citizen voting in elections is extremely rare. The injunction preserves access to the ballot for millions of Americans.

A National Response: Unite and Rise 8.5

In April, the League of Women Voters of the United States declared that our country is facing a constitutional crisis. In response, the League launched Unite and Rise 8.5, a campaign to mobilize 8.5 million voters by November 2026. This campaign reflects our unwavering commitment to checks and balances, the rule of law, and free and fair elections.

Local Outreach and Civic Partnerships

Here in Washington County, we’re doing our part. Our League has been actively engaging with young people, families, and community partners to build civic knowledge and encourage voter participation.

Most recently, we participated in the Teen Job Fair hosted by the Washington County Free Library in partnership with Horizon Goodwill Industries. At this event, we registered new voters, talked with teens and parents about the voting process, and introduced many to Vote411.org, our trusted, nonpartisan source for election information.

How You Can Help: Nonpartisan Ways to Support Democracy

You don’t have to be an expert or choose a side to support democracy. Civic action can be simple and powerful:

• Encourage a friend or family member to register to vote.
• Talk about how local government decisions affect our daily lives.
• Attend school board, city council, or county commission meetings.
• Take time to think critically about the news and information you share.
• Support civil conversations in your community—even when you disagree.
• Promote the civic mission of our schools, where young people learn to lead, serve, and engage with issues that matter.

Join the League of Women Voters

Now more than ever, we must enrich civic education, strengthen voter knowledge, and ensure everyone understands their role in our constitutional system. The League invites you to join us in offering nonpartisan programs, educational resources, and outreach that empower voters and support the democratic process at every level of government.

The promise of democracy depends on us. Let’s unite to renew the promise of American liberty.

Join us in this vital work at www.lwvwashco.org.

Genie Massey, a former social studies teacher, currently works with the Maryland Civic Education Coalition which strives to strengthen civic learning and opportunities for young people across the state. She holds a BA from Randolph-Macon Women’s College, a MAT from Johns Hopkins University, and is a doctoral candidate at Frostburg State University.