League of Women Voters of Maplewood-South Orange

08/27/2026

We had a great time tonight recognizing Women’s Equality Day at South Orange’s Dance Party + Movie Night at Floods Hill, talking with members of the community, helping people register to vote, and spreading the word about the upcoming election.

A big thank you to South Orange and Councilwoman Hannah Zollman for partnering with us on this effort!

Stay tuned for more important actions, including welcoming and registering new residents on September 15 for National Voter Registration Day. Sign up to become a member through the link in our bio!

08/26/2026

Today, August 26th, is Women’s Equality Day. It commemorates the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the constitutional right to vote. Now, especially, we must make sure to continue to advocate and fight for voting rights for all citizens.

08/15/2026

We are saddened to share news of the recent passing of former South Orange LWV co-chair Margery Schneider Cohen.

Margery was a homemaker and lifelong volunteer, whose warmth, kindness and ability to see the best in everyone was a hallmark. She helped found the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School and served on the South Orange branch of the League of Women Voters, which then led to her joining the national effort and becoming its representative to the United Nations, a role she held for more than 20 years. At the U.N., she founded the Working Group on Girls and attended the Beijing Conference on Women in 1995.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/livingston-nj/margery-cohen-12995490

08/05/2026

Victory! The County Line is officially dead in New Jersey.

“After many years of grassroots organizing, the official end of the county line marks a new era in New Jersey politics,” said Jesse Burns, executive director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. “We have proven that through people-power a more inclusive democracy is possible and we will continue to work together to build the democracy we all deserve. As our democracy faces grave threats, we carry this lesson with us as we tackle the work ahead.”

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi approves Bergen County settlement, formally ending two lawsuits and the controversial primary-ballot system statewide

08/05/2026

It was wonderful to meet so many members of our community at Maplewood National Night Out yesterday, including our Congresswoman Analilia Mejia.

We’re looking forward to a busy fall, including hosting a BOE and Congressional debate, and taking part on National Voter Registration Day. Please sign up at the link below and consider becoming a member of your local League!

https://portal.lwv.org/membership

08/03/2026

Check it out! Great sessions on civics: Wednesdays this August at the Maplewood Library.

Summer Civics with CivicStory

Teens and adults are invited to join a series of lively 75-minute dialogs on Civics: essential info we all need to be confident voters and active participants in four levels of government. Co-Moderated by Candice Davenport, Maplewood’s Health Officer, and Susan Haig, CivicStory founding trustee and South Orange Symphony Conductor, the series sparks thinking about the many roles and relationships in our democracy.

Each session will touch on 3 or 4 topics: our elected representatives, legislative bodies, registering and voting, founding documents, key civics concepts, primary elections, major parties and more. Summer Civics is presented by CivicStory and will be held in Maplewood Library’s Community Room.

"Public health is one of many public services ‘of, by, and for the people,’” says Maplewood Health Officer Candice Davenport. “We need to understand how our voice and our vote impacts the future of public health locally and nationally."

"Democracy is complicated, and depends on our full involvement,” says South Orange resident Susan Haig. “We're excited to delve into Civics in a lively interactive format." Teens and adults are welcome to attend any or all sessions.

Session 1
Wednesday, July 29, 5 pm - 6:15 pm
Know Our 4 Federal-level Representatives (US President, US Senators Cory ​​​​Booker and Andy Kim, and Congresswoman Analilia Mejia); What does ​​​the US Congress do, and when? Constitutional Preamble and Article 1.

Session 2
Wednesday, August 5, 5 pm – 6:15 pm
Know Our 4 State-Level Representatives (Governor Mikie Sherrill, State Senator Renee ​Burgess, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema)
​What does the NJ State Legislature do, and when? Articles 2 and 3.

Session 3
Wednesday, August 12, 5 pm - 6:16 pm
Know Our “6” County Commissioners; What do Essex County and County Clerks Do?
​How do New Jersey Primary elections work? Federalist 10; Amendments 1-13;
​Ensuring successful 2028 nominations; What broke precedent in 2024?
​
Session 4
Wednesday, August 26, 5 pm - 6:15 pm
Know Our 5 Township Committee members, 6 Village Councilors, and 2 Mayors;
​How do our municipalities function, and what are their key departments?
​Encouraging new candidates; strength in diversity; empowering the people;
​ensuring New Jersey has a voice in presidential nominations.

07/21/2026

The League of Women Voters issued the following statement from CEO Celina Stewart in response to President Trump's removal of the serving commissioners of the bipartisan US Election Assistance Commission.

07/20/2026

The League issued a statement from CEO Celina Stewart following President Donald Trump’s address to the nation Thursday night: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-strongly-denounces-president-trumps-false-claims-about

07/09/2026

This Saturday! Join our Congresswoman Congresswoman Analilia Mejia in a conversation about the 14th amendment. Important and extremely timely discussion.

06/23/2026

Contact your State Senator and Assembly Members today and urge them to support Budget Resolution #759 and the Everyone Counts New Jersey Act.