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Email: info@lwvsnoho.org
League of Women Voters
of Snohomish County
P.O. Box 1146
Everett WA 98206
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Home2026-2027 Program of Work

Program of Work: 2026-2027


Our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy is always front and center each year, and the work is carried out by our standing and operational committees. In addition, League members vote on a specific focus for each fiscal year.  We have identified three focus areas for this year.

1. Resisting Threats to Democracy

 

Executive summary: Since the Trump administration took office in January 2025, we’ve
seen increased attacks on our democratic systems and a failure by Congress to intervene.
On April 17, 2025, The League of Women Voters declared that the United States is in a
Constitutional Crisis.

We need a lot of different people taking action to fight for our democracy on different
fronts. That’s why the League of Women Voters launched Unite and Rise 8.5. It’s an
initiative to defend democracy by mobilizing 3.5% of US voters (8.5 million people), the
estimated number of voters it would take to bring about change through nonviolent
protest.

Supports:
● The Resisting Threats to Democracy program of work would be LWV of Snohomish
County’s focused efforts to support LWV’s Unite and Rise position.
● It also aligns with our DEI policy.

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Plan of action:
Activities will include:
●  We will act on Unite & Rise current and forthcoming playbook activities
●  We will produce targeted civic education:
  • Distribute additional Know Your Rights flyers in acrylic stands and red cards to Snohomish County public libraries, school districts, local churches, businesses, Planned Parenthood, etc.
  • Host Constitution Day readings
●  We will foster key partnerships:
  • Celebrate Election Hero Day at Snohomish County Auditor’s Office
●  We will Organize participation in demonstrations and other community events:
  • Future No Kings Days
Our goal is to help educate and activate Snohomish County to Unite and Rise to defend our
democracy.

Committee:
The Resisting Threats to Democracy Committee will lead this program of work.
● The committee is led by Wendy Colbert.
● The committee includes all members of the League of Women Voters of Snohomish
County, who are encouraged to take action to resist threats to democracy.


2. Reasonable Forest Management in Snohomish County

 

Executive summary: This work will advocate for protection of all mature forests in
Snohomish County and for reasonable management of our state forest resource lands.
Snohomish County’s remaining legacy forests are rapidly disappearing due to ongoing
logging, despite their irreplaceable ecological and habitat functions.

Outdated public perceptions about forest management, and an absence of localized,
sustainable planning contribute to the continued loss of these mature forests and their vital Washington state historical native ecosystem value. Mature forests and priority conservation areas can be protected while still producing revenue and timber from other abundant plantation forests in the county to support jobs and rural communities.

The new administration of the Department of Natural Resources promised to preserve 77,000 acres of mature forests in Washington. The maps identifying those acres was flawed and new maps are expected soon.
 
Supports:
● The Reasonable Forest Management Program of Work supports LWV of Snohomish
County’s position on Forests.
● It also aligns with our DEI policy. 

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Plan of action:
Activities will include:
● We will launch a nine-month social media and public education campaign designed to build widespread public awareness about priorities and recommendations we have developed to manage state forests in Snohomish County. The campaign will encourage Snohomish County officials to work with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to manage these critical forests in a way that reflects the community’s ecological, economic, and cultural values.

● We will partner with two state-wide nonprofit organizations experienced in nonprofit advocacy to create and amplify public education material: the Center for Responsible Forestry and the Legacy Forest Defense Coalition. The campaign will deliver science-based messaging to the community, elected officials, and the forestry sector to replace outdated assumptions and foster informed support for forest conservation. The community will then be asked to contact and meet with council members and the DNR.

● We will continue to collaborate with the council to use other tools available to protect mature forests including the Natural Climate Solutions funding within the Climate Commitment Act. The League advocated for and achieved the council’s agreement to request participation in the NCS funding in the last two years which secured protection for about 65 acres so far. The League achieved further cooperation from the council to request information from the DNR and a plan for
protecting 10 to 15% of our mature forests.

● We will explore the establishment of a community forest as another mechanism to better manage forests. Some small forest landowners and the DNR are interested in helping working forests remain viable. Better forest management can improve forest resilience as well as prevent conversion to housing.

Committee:
The Responsible Forest Management committee will lead this program of work.
● The committee is chaired by Kate Lunceford.
● Committee members include Carol McMahon, Carolyn Johnston, Clara Hsu, Julie
Martinson, Julie Winchell, Kathryn Lewandowsky, Marilyn Ridings, Marjorie Fields,
and Nancy Johnson.

 


3. Redistricting Reform Campaign

Executive summary: LWVSC has created a Local Area Team (LAT) that will continue its support for the redistricting reform campaign in Washington State with the goal of passing a constitutional amendment before the 2031 redistricting process. We will work with the LWVWA Statewide Redistricting Reform Team. A task force subcommittee comprising LATs throughout the state will guide the work. The goal is to have legislation by the 2027 session.

Supports:
● The Redistricting Reform Campaign program of work supports
  • LWV’s position on redistricting processes and enforceable standards that promote fair and effective representation at all levels of government with maximum opportunity for public participation.
  • LWVWA’s goal of passing a state constitutional amendment to create an independent people-focused commission.
● It also aligns with our DEI policy.

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Plan of action:
Activities will include:
● We will participate in monthly task force and LAT subcommittee meetings.

● We will meet at least 10 times during the year.

● We will reach out to potential partners and allies.

● We will build relationships with legislators to garner support.

● We will work toward legislation in 2027.

● With the assistance of the LAT subcommittee, we will develop a public education plan on the need for this reform.

Committee:
The Redistricting Reform Local Area Team will lead this program of work.
● The committee is chaired by Tressa Kentner.
● Approximately 40 LWVSC members have self-identified as interested in redistricting reform.

Our Ongoing Work


Operational Committees
These committees work throughout the year as needed

  1. Budget
  2. Bylaws
  3. Committee Connections (includes program of work and committee leads)
  4. Communications (including the Voter newsletter, Facebook, Website, Instagram,
    Guide to Elected Officials, Action Alerts)
  5. Financial Review
  6. Lobby Day
  7. Membership
  8. Nominating
  9. Observer Corps
  10. Voter Service (includes Get Out the Vote, Courier Service, Voter Education/Registration, and Candidate Forum subcommittees)

Active Standing Committees

1. Community Outreach Committee (COCO): Expands civic engagement and voter education in underserved and under-represented communities.
2. Natural Resources: Provides educational opportunities on broad environmental concerns for the county.
3. Resisting Threats to Democracy: Encourages action to fight for our democracy on different fronts.
4. Responsible Forest Management: Advocates for protection of all mature forests in Snohomish County and for reasonable forest management on public lands.
5. Redistricting Reform Local Area Team: Educates residents about redistricting at the State, County and local level – what it means, why it matters and how it works.

 

Approved 5/16/26