 | LWVGTA Co-Presidents Message
September 2025
Welcome all members, continuing and new, to another year in which the
League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse (LWVGTA) will carry on the
League's 105-year-old non-partisan mission to educate the local
electorate. With your zeal and support, we will spend this next year
empowering voters and defending democracy.
Nationally, the League of Women Voters United State (LWVUS) has
developed a non-partisan, non-violent campaign with the goal to engage
and mobilize 8.5 million voters before the 2026 mid-term elections. The 8.5
million is an estimate of the number of voters needed to bring change
through non-violent engagement. Unite & Rise 8.5 showcases the many ways individuals can drive change through advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement.
At the State level, the LWVMI is addressing the anti-voter petitions which
are being circulated with names "Committee to Protect Voter's Rights" and
"Americans for Citizens Voting Michigan" by asking citizens to decline to
sign. Letters to the Editor have been sent to our local papers warning the
public against signing these petitions that look harmless but in fact, would
limit access to the polls. Learn more at: noredtapeformi.com
During a summer meeting of the LWVGTA, the Board identified three goals
for the year. They are working with youth, educating our community about
voting and related issues, and broadening our membership to include
those who embrace diverse ideologies.
Thank you for being a League member.
Charlene Krygier - Co-President LWVGTA
Charlotte Nisbet - Co- President LWVGTA
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Upcoming Events
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Sept 20, 2025
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Voter Services Volunteer Information 10 – 11am. Would you like to learn more about volunteering to help with our Voter Services activity? Please join us at the Traverse City Main Library (610 Woodmere, in the Thirlby Room on the 2nd floor) for an informal discussion of the ways we work for our community
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Sept 23, 2025
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Candidate Forum, Traverse City Commission & Mayoral Candidates, 6pm. McGuire Room at the Traverse City Public Library, Spectrum channel 189 and livestreamed on Traverse Area Community Media website, www.TACM.tv/CommunityTvNow. Traverse City Commission Candidates 6:00 – 7:00, Mayoral Candidates 7:10 – 7:40.
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Sept 24, 2025
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Board of Directors Meeting, 12-2pm. Michigan Works
1209 S. Garfield Ave Ste C Room F.
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Oct 7, 2025
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Program - Solid Waste, Recyclables, Organics - The Counties' Material Management Plans. 6:30 - 7:30 Traverse City District Library, McGuire room. Also on Traverse Area Community Media website livestream, www.TACM.tv/CommunityTvNow, League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area (lwvgta.org) Facebook page, Community TV Channel 189 with Spectrum Cable TV in NW lower Michigan.
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| Oct 9, 2025 |
Voter Services Volunteer Information, via Zoom,10am-10:30am. See the lwvgta.org event calendar for the Zoom link. Voter Services Committee meeting following with the same Zoom link at 10:30.
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| Oct 13, 2025 |
Advocacy Committee 10:30am by Zoom. Check the calendar. |
| Oct 18, 2025 |
Are you interested in participating in the No Kings 2 protest protest on October 18?
LWVUS has decided to become an official partner for this day of mobilization to stand in solidarity with partners and stand up against hate and authoritarianism. Of course the League supports participating in a nonpartisan manner. If representing the League or wearing LWV shirts (which we encourage), please use good judgment when creating signs and participating in nonpartisan chants. Watch for more news about how the LWVGTA will be participating. |
| Oct 20, 2025 |
A tour of the Emmet County recycling, composting and electronic disposal facility. 1:00 - 2:30. Carpool departure around 10:00, lunch, tour, return home. RVSP to Carrie Olmsted with willingness to drive and passenger capacity in vehicle. Carrie Olmsted, eprarr@gmail.com . |
| Oct 22, 2025 |
2025 Great Lakes Microplastics Summit. Virtual on October 22. Hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), this free one-day event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region to network, share insights, and explore the latest findings regarding microplastics in both surface water and drinking water. 2025-Microplastics-Summit Reg |
| Coming Soon |
The LWVGTA will be having a text banking campaign to notify voters about the benefits of signing up for a permanent mail-in ballot. Volunteer to help with the text banking. Easy-peasy. If you would like to participate, send an email to commslwvgta@gmail.com . |
State Action Items
The MI Budget: What Would a Shutdown Mean?
The League of Women Voters of Michigan hosted a forum on Sept. 16, 2025 with 3 experts to address tough questions about the state budget. Our panel included Arnold Weinfeld, Associate Director, Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at MSU, Rachel Richards, Director of Fiscal Policy and Government Relations at Michigan League for Public Policy, and Robert Schneider, Senior Research Associate at Citizens Research Council of Michigan. Watch the 1 hour forum here..
KNOW WHAT YOU SIGN!
Petition drives are gearing up in Michigan. Many circulators will be in our communities in the next year – especially during warm-weather months – attempting to get a minimum of 500,000 valid signatures so that the proposal can be part of the November, 2026 ballot. The language stating what the ballot proposal would do is limited to 100 words and the circulator has no obligation to provide detailed information. The League is providing this brief explanation of the potential ballot proposals that have been approved by the Michigan Board of Canvassers.
Michigan League Advocacy
Here is the LWVMI Advocacy page that has items they support or oppose and the reason. You may find their advocacy for many of the proposed Ballot Proposals.
TAKE ACTION - Contact your state elected officials now and tell them to pass a state budget! Your Schools & Libraries depend on the budget. LWVMI - Take Action
Your membership in The League of Women Voters supports the US and State Leagues. The US League has been very active in pursuing lobbying, testifying, litigation and creating initiatives to Defend Our Democracy. Be informed on what the League is doing. Here are some new press releases that confirms the Leagues beliefs.
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Forum From the LWV Leelanau
DIRECT DEMOCRACY
Know What You Sign!
Money Out of Politics
October 1 at 12:00 - 2:00PM
8527 E Government Center Dr, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, USA
lower level Community Room
Citizens are now circulating petitions to place as many as nine proposals on the 2026 General Election ballot. This Forum will summarize the aim of each proposal so you "know what you sign". The forum will also introduce Sean McBreaty, Michigan Director of Clean Water Action and Co-Director of Money Out of Politics (MOP). He will describe his group's efforts to pass a citizen-initiated law that would ban political spending by monopoly utilities and large state contractors. All are welcome at this free public forum. Attendees are invited to bring friends and family as well as a sack lunch.
League of Women Voters of Leelanau County
lwvleelanau@gmail.com
| Voting With a Disability
In the past few months I have been in contact with Disability Network Northern Michigan, Grand Traverse Industries, Commission on Aging and Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan regarding LWVGTA Voter Services. All have been receptive to the idea of creating a program or programs to teach their clients about the voting system as well as how to find information on what is being voted on. I hope to be working with our Voter Services arm to develop and help present these services in the near future.
Co-President, Charlotte Nisbet
|  | Don't Let Your Membership Expire
Has your LWVGTA membership expired? Have you logged into the Membership Portal yet? Make sure to renew your membership in a timely manner. You are needed!
Technology not your thing? You still are able to renew and join by check, though. Go to the LWVGTA MEMBERSHIP PAGE for complete instructions. You may always call the LWVGTA voicemail and leave a message (231) 714-9763 or email Laura Otwell, membership chair at membership@lwvgta.org.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Marlene McDermott
| SPOTLIGHT ON LWVGTA MEMBER
Carrie Olmsted - You may have seen some of Carrie's contributions to the LWVGTA with her interesting environmental news and articles, advocating with the Natural Resources & Environment Committee or the potential organization of a bus trip to the musical SUFFS! in Detroit. What you don't see is her work compiling local data for the VOTE411.org website and the Voter Services Committee. Carrie has a background in Natural Resources with a Master in Soil Science. She worked for the State of Michigan enforcing our environmental cleanup laws. (Same job through the years, but different agency names: DNR, DEQ, DNRE, and now EGLE!) This included working with attorneys to negotiate compliance agreements and other legal documents, and litigation.
How did you learn about the League of Women Voters and why did you decide to join?
Carrie - I joined the LWV about 8 years ago, while living in East Lansing. When I retired, we moved to Holland (MI) where my husband (Dave Regalbuto and League member) was working until his retirement, and where I became active with the League. This was my first introduction to data entry into VOTE411, and candidate forums. We have lived in Traverse City for 4 years now and love it! As before, I work on VOTE411, responsible for Antrim and Kalkaska Counties. I participate in both the Voter Services and Environmental Committees. The LWVGTA participation is important to me because I enjoy helping the community learn about local candidates and proposals, voter registration and education, and meeting other members with similar interests.
What do you do to relax and get away from everyday chaos?
Carrie - Dave and I otherwise keep busy with outdoor activities, including kayaking, walking all the great trails, biking the TART, and snow shoeing and skiing in the winter. We have joined the curling club and volunteer as instructors at Inland Seas Education Association. I also sing with TC Sings!
Is there a person you find inspiring?
Carrie - I find optimists and go-getters inspiring, like former president Christina and current co-president Charlene. They don't shirk responsibility and know how to get things done.
Miscellaneous tidbits about yourself.
Carrie - I lived in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) when I was in 8th grade, because my dad was teaching at the University on a Fulbright Scholarship. I played on the MSU soccer team, but don’t be impressed, it was a club sport then. I ice skated with the Silver Blades, a women’s synchronized skating group, in East Lansing.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Carrie - Sprinkling pixie dust to spread caring and kindness would be my superpower to reduce the anger and animosity in today's politics and society.
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🐦🐦🐦The Early Bird gets their wreath - Early. It's time to order your holiday greens for home and office decorating, and to give as gifts. You'll be ready for the holidays, and you'll be supporting local League programs. The wreaths come in many sizes made with fresh greens from an area greenhouse, trimmed with pine cones, berries & a red velvet bow. Garland Roping can be used outside, or you can drape it inside along stair railings, around doors, and along fireplace mantles. A tree is planted for every wreath made!
ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th
Pick up date, time, and location: Traverse City, Saturday, November 22nd ONLY- from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Ingrid Brophy's, 719 Munson Ave. Deliveries can be arranged. Payment by check or electronically, see the form for more details. 2025 wreath sale flyer
|  | Advocacy Committee
September 2025 - Margaret Goeman
The group discussed how best to best publicize the State’s No Red Tape campaign either by a sharable graphic or public letters to the editor. This campaign is to raise awareness about these voter suppression proposals. These proposals would require documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) and would modify voter identification requirements. The League believes this is an unnecessary roadblock for voters who do not have easy access to the documentation, and are voter suppression tools.
A list of topics for letters to the editors has been selected, and the first letters have been submitted to the Traverse City Record-Eagle, Crawford County Avalanche, Houghton Lake Resorter and the Up North Voice, with regarding the petition proposals for DPOC . The letter appeared in the September 10, 2025, Your Opinion Column 'Do Not Be Fooled' of the Avalanche.
|  | Observer Corps Report
September 2025 - Reba Leiding
The Grand Traverse Board of Commissioners hired the current acting director of the county Health Department, Michael Lahey, following a public interview with three excellent candidates. Lahey noted during his interview that large State budget cuts for public health are looming. In study sessions the Board reviewed a tentative 2026 budget and discussed planning for a new jail. The Board is far ahead in its financial planning compared to previous years.
|  | Voter Services Committee
September 2025 - Alice Schuman
Voter Services Volunteer Information
- Volunteer for Voter Services. Short on time, but still want to volunteer? Voter Services has many opportunities where you can volunteer for a couple of hours to help out. We have volunteer opportunities for all to suit your time and talents. Find out more by attending a short zoom meeting on Friday October 9, 10am-10:30.
- The Voter Services committee meeting will follow at 10:30 on the same zoom link.
What did we do lately?
LWVGTA hosted two voter registration events on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday Sept 16, 2025. Donna Moore and Kathy Tuckerman collaborated with LWV-Leelanau with a table at the Innovation Center at NMC. They spoke with many students and helped 20 with voter registration. Alice Schuman and Jill Sterling had a table at the Main Traverse Library at the same time that the library was hosting a Volunteer Fair. They provided voter information to about 20 people and helped one person who is not comfortable with online to complete a voter registration form.
For more information, please see our website www.lwvgta.org, email voterservices@lwvgta.org, or call/text Alice at 917-664-4658
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A bit of LWVGTA History. During Covid, the Forums still took place. Ann Swaney and Nancy Nordfjord time the forum candidates while finding comfort with pets. You can be part of Something Bigger and be a Volunteer. Don't be afraid to volunteer if you have no experience. It is easy, and training is available.
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Why Don't I Just Quit?
by anonymous
WHY DON'T I JUST QUIT?
It seems to me this year
I'm busier than before
I'm tempted to resign from League
Instead I take on more
Now why is that? I ask myself,
(For surely there's a reason)
I'll have more time, I tell myself,
Right after the rush season
Besides, League members are my good friends
I couldn't let them down
Those surface reasons I advance -
(The real one's further down)
I think the answer lies somewhere
Deep within myself
I want to see my talents used
Not rusted on the shelf
I want America to be
A better place to live.
Just talking won't improve it
We also have to give
I want to find myself among
The workers, not the floaters
And that is why I am neck-deep
In the League of Women Voters
Written anonymously by a Massachusetts LWV member many years ago
| Contact your Representatives and Senators and demand Action.
Don't bee afraid or think that your Congressperson already knows what to do. Your phone message, email or letter are important to them for tracking statistics from their constituents - positive or negative. Remember that you are speaking as an individual unless utilizing the LWV Action pages.
Ways to contact your Senators & Representative to demand action.
US Capital switchboard – 202-224-3121 operator will connect you directly to the office you request.
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US Senator Gary Peters
Traverse City Office
109 E. Front Street Suite 215B
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 947-7773
https://www.peters.senate.gov/
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US Senator Elissa Slotkin
Traverse City Office
3335 South Airport Road West Suite 6B
Traverse City, MI 49684
P# 231-929-1031
https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/
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US Representative Jack Bergman
Traverse City Office
1396 Douglas Drive, Suite 22B
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 944-7633
https://bergman.house.gov/
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"To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
| League of Women Voters Grand Traverse Area
Serving the people of Antrim, Benzie, Crawford, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties
PO Box 671, Traverse City, MI 49685
Voicemail: (231) 714- 9763
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