LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County
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lwvbwc.bsky.social
LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County
@lwvbwc.bsky.social
83 followers 33 following 230 posts
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
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Do you know the ESSENTIALS of fact-checking your news and sources? 🤔

Learn more ➡️ www.lwv.org/blog/essenti...
A blue background with a transparent image of a magnifying glass with the word "fact" inside. Image text is purple, yellow, and blue. There is also a graphic of a magnifying glass wearing a hat. Image text reads: "The Essentials of Fact Checking. 1. Consider the source: be familiar with the sources of your news. 2. Know the full scope of info: Understand the context of a story, it’ll help you in finding facts. 3. Be Mindful of social Media: Not all news on social media sites are rooted in fact. 4. Examine Objectivity and Emotion: Understand the manner in which facts are reported."
December 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
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The ✅DOs and ❌DON'Ts of mis-and disinformation on social media.
A blue background and a transparent image of a cardboard old-school TV (with the knobs and antenna). The TV's "screen" is displaying handwritten text that says "blah, blah, blah." The image text reads: "DO share accurate information (without mentioning the wrong info). Set the record straight by sharing the correct information. DON'T click on or share mis-and disinformation. It helps spread it! DO report and block inaccurate info to social media platforms, group admins, and election officials. Block users you don't know who share mis- and disinformation. DON'T engage with mis- and disinformation publicly. If someone you know is sharing bad info, DM them and ask them to take it down."
December 10, 2025 at 4:00 AM
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We hear a lot about Mis- and Disinformation—but, what is it? 🤔

... and how do we spot it? 🔎 Learn more ➡️ www.lwv.org/blog/your-gu...
Blue background with purple, yellow, white, and red text. There is also a graphic of bull horn with the general prohibition sign (the "no" symbol) over it. There are two chat bubbles coming from it, one says "news" and the other says "fake." The image text reads: "What are mis-and-disinformation? Misinfo: Sharing false information without the intent of harm. Disinfo: Creating and sharing false information with the intent to harm. How to spot mis-and-disinfo: 1. Consider the source. 2. Check the date. 3. Cross check the info. 4. Read past the headline. 5. Question emotionally charged content."
December 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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🗽Due process is your constitutional right – every level of government must respect it. Let's talk about it ⬇️
White background with purple and yellow text. At the top left is a purple circle with an image of a judge's gavel. At the bottom left is a LWV logo. At the bottom right is a purple circle with a graphic of the Statue of Liberty. Image text reads: "What is due process? TL;DR: It means the government cannot take away your life, freedom, or property without notice, and an opportunity to be heard. 1. Due process is a cornerstone of our justice system and a fundamental right guaranteed by the US Constitution. 2. Due process protects ALL our freedoms—our possessions, our liberty, and our very lives—from government interference. 3. Due process is our constitutional right—EVERY level of government must respect it. Once one group is deprived of due process, they'll take it from all of us. History is proof."
December 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
lwvbwc.bsky.social
Remember when consuming information:

1️⃣ The info we consume shapes our opinions, so good sources of info are important.

2️⃣ Beware of mis-and-disinfo: Many news and other media sources have their own points of view. Seek out the original source of info and cross check it with other sources.
Blue background with red, yellow, and white text. Text reads: ridge between the government and the people: While there are only three branches of government, our news media is sometimes referred to as the “fourth estate” or fourth branch. The news media provides important information about proposed laws, elected leaders, and issues."
December 5, 2025 at 1:53 AM
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What do people mean when they say "majority rule, minority rights?" 🤔

Like separation of powers... our political system is designed to protect the minority be providing constitutional rights, and giving SCOTUS the power to strike down laws (even if they are popular) if they violate rights.
A red background and transparent image of the US Flag and US Constitution. Image text is blue, yellow, and white and reads: "It's balancing two ideas: 1. Majority rule: The idea that the ultimate power in a democracy is vested in the people. 2. ‘Rule of Law’: Recognizing people are imperfect and can be prejudiced against certain groups—so protecting people with constitutional rights. The idea is the majority shouldn’t be able to violate the rights of a minority."
December 4, 2025 at 2:18 AM
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In practice, what I-126 proposes disenfranchises ELIGIBLE voters. Many will face barriers that make obtaining the necessary documentation difficult or even prohibitive.

Keep Washington elections accessible. Decline to Sign I-126. Learn more about this harmful initiative ➡️ lwvwa.org/IL26-126
Yellow background fading to blue with red text that reads: "I-126 would prevent eligible voters. Decline to sign IL26-126."
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
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We protect democracy: If a leader comes along who convinces people that they alone can solve all our problems—and we don’t need the other two branches—
we could end up with a dictator. We need to make careful choices when voting, get truthful information, and speak up when power is being abused.
A yellow background and a transparent image of the US Flag and US Constitution. Image text is red, blue, and white and reads: "Respect for Institutions: Our democracy depends on people’s respect for the basic institutions of government—the three equal branches of government. Having 3 branches of government share power prevents any single elected leader from becoming a tyrant."
December 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
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Government guided by law: This means our government is to be guided by the law—NOT by what one person or group—wants to do. And the power of ALL government officials is limited to what the law says they can do.
"What is the 'Rule of Law' It’s the idea of having a “government of laws” rather than a “government of men.” ‘Rule of Law’ is a cornerstone idea of US government."
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 AM
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Why does US democracy separate powers?

1️⃣ We need stability in our government.
2️⃣ By balancing power between 3 branches, we assure that power is shared. And no one person or branch has absolute authority.
"The three branches are: 1. Legislative Branch: The legislative branch (the House and Senate) makes the laws and decides how to spend the federal tax dollars. 2. Executive Branch: The head of the executive branch (the President) can approve/reject laws Congress makes and is the “boss” for most national government agencies, AND the Commander in Chief of the military. 3. Judicial Branch: The top of the judicial branch is SCOTUS. They make sure laws and the police or other government agencies—including the President—respect the constitutional rights of citizens."
December 1, 2025 at 1:46 AM
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We advocate for or against POLICIES based on our mission and values. This comes from a commitment to issues and strengthening civil institutions—NOT out of allegiance to a political party.

Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4k7l0BI
Purple background with a transparent image of a pile of buttons with the LWV logo on them. Image text is purple, white, and yellow and reads: "Nonpartisan in a divisive political climate. Nonpartisanship isn't just a policy at the League—it's a bedrock. We do not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party." At the bottom right of the graphic is an image of two women, wearing LWV shirts, and holding signs that say "voting is people power."
November 30, 2025 at 2:50 AM
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We're thankful for the candidates who stepped up and ran for public office this year!
Purple background with a transparent image of a US Flag. At the center is a graphic of two people standing at podiums and facing each other. Image text reads: "Thank you Whatcom County candidates!"
November 29, 2025 at 3:22 AM
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We are 🤩SO THANKFUL🤩 for all the voters in Whatcom County!
Yellow background with a transparent image of a US Flag. At the center is a graphic of two people depositing ballots into a ballot box. Image text reads: "Thank you Whatcom County Voters!"
November 28, 2025 at 3:21 AM
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🟪 Thank you election workers! 🟪

Election workers are members of our community that work hard to ensure we are able to cast our ballots safely and successfully and we are SO thankful for them!
Screenshot from the TV show "The Office" featuring Michael Scott standing between Pam Beesly and Jim Halpert holding their hands and saying "I love you guys so much." In the screenshot Pam represents our election workers and Jim represents democracy.
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
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There is NO evidence to date that widespread fraud exists in WA or has ever impacted election outcomes. Repeated investigations and academic studies have shown that voting by non-citizens in WA is EXTREMELY rare.

Keep Washington elections accessible. Decline to Sign I-126 ➡️ lwvwa.org/IL26-126
Yellow background fading into blue with a picture of a person holding a US Flag. Red text reads: "I-126 is an effort to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Decline to sign IL26-126."
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
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How strong are your media literacy skills? A LWV pop-quiz for democracy! 🇺🇸

Take the quiz ➡️ www.lwv.org/blog/quiz-te...
Blue background with a transparent image of a wall of screens. Image text is purple and yellow and reads: "How strong are your media literacy skills? Take the LWV Quiz!" Below the text is a graphic of a computer monitor with question marks and a magnifying glass. There is also a white LWV logo at the bottom left corner.
November 25, 2025 at 2:25 AM
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1️⃣ Think critically about where you get your info AND how they’re presenting it.

2️⃣ Like everyone else, you are susceptible to being misled— it’s not because you’re gullible or immoral—it’s just how the human brain is wired. If we recognize our weak points, we're less vulnerable.
Blue background with a wall of screens. On the right side is a woman wearing a Vote411 shirt and standing in the "Rosie Riveter" pose. Image text is purple, yellow, and white. It reads: "Media Literacy: Building Your Skills. The path to safeguarding against manipulation has two parts: 1. Understand WHY news gets made the way it does and how it finds its way to you (the ‘supply side’) and 2. Understand how you process the news you come across." There is a white LWV logo at the top right corner.
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 AM
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We must face the fact that the information environment in which we all operate has changed. Our information environment is no longer a transparent or secure space. You yourself may feel that you don’t know what to believe anymore.
A blue background and a transparent image of a wall of screens displaying different images. There is also a photo of two women standing and wearing white LWV shirts. One is holding a sign that says "voting is people power" and the other has her fist raised in the air. Image text is purple, yellow, and white and reads: "Media literacy. Why is it critical for democracy? In this new media world, the burden of discerning what is true or false falls on each of us. We need to develop the skills to navigate a highly polluted information ecosystem." There is also a white LWV logo at the top right corner.
November 23, 2025 at 2:24 AM
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Repeated investigations and studies have found no evidence of widespread instances of noncitizens voting. Implementing the added scrutiny proposed by this initiative would be a costly and disenfranchise a significant number of ELIGIBLE voters.

Learn more ➡️ lwvwa.org/IL26-126
Blue background with white, red, yellow text that reads: "Why the LWVWA opposes I-126: It creates unnecessary costs and burdens for WA Counties. Implementing I-126 would create a number of additional and costly measures that are completely unnecessary."
November 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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In trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist (noncitizens voting in WA) I-126 instead creates real harm to WA’s elections and many of its eligible voters.

Learn more about why I-126 is harmful ➡️ lwvwa.org/IL26-126
Blue background with red, white, and yellow text. Image text reads: "Why the LWVWA opposes I-126. We believe registration should serve the voter. I-126 would make the ballot less accessible for eligible voters in WA."
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 AM
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... AND those with mobility issues or who live in rural areas. AND workers who cannot take time off to wait in line to present the required documentation. AND Washingtonians who can’t afford to get the required documents.

Keep WA elections accessible. Decline to Sign I-126. ➡️ lwvwa.org/IL26-126
A transparent image of three people smiling at the camera and holding US Flags and "I Voted" stickers with a blue background fading to red and includes a graphic of question marks. Image text reads: "Who will I-126 impact? 1. 3 out of 4 Washingtonians without enhanced licenses. 2. The roughly 38% of Washingtonians without passports. 3. 1.6 million married WA women whose current name does not match the one on their birth certificate."
November 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
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Legislators can then:

🟨 Adopt it as written
🟨Decline to act (sends it to Nov. 2026).
🟨Approve an alternative initiative for the November 2026 ballot. This would appear next to the original.

Keep Washington elections accessible. Decline to Sign I-126.

Learn more ➡️ www.lwvwa.org/IL26-126
A transparent image of the WA Capitol building in Olympia with a blue background fading to yellow. Image text is blue and white and reads: "What is an 'initiative to the Legislature?' I-126 is an initiative to the Legislature. If it meets it's signature requirements it will go to WA's Legislature.."
November 18, 2025 at 5:41 PM
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I-126 would require WA voters to provide proof of citizenship. To move I-126 forward, supports must turn in 308, 911 signatures from registered voters by Jan 2, 2026.

Learn more ➡️ www.lwvwa.org/IL26-126

Keep Washington elections accessible. The LWV recommends you Decline to Sign I-126.
A blue background and a transparent image of mail-in ballots. There is also a graphic of three question marks. Image text is blue and red and reads: "What is IL26-126?"
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 AM
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League 101: HOW the League does advocacy. 🪧🗣️

The League IS an action group. How do we take action?

🟦 Lobbying
🟦 Letters to public officials
🟦Panel discussions
🟦Testifying at public hearings
🟦 Use of public forums and media
🟦 League newsletters

Learn more ➡️ lwvwa.org/what-the-lea...
A red background and transparent image of a group of people holding signs. The prominent sign reads: "Your vote, your voice. Claim your rights" with a LWV logo at the bottom. Image text is yellow, white, and blue and reads: "The League 101. How the League does Advocacy?"
November 17, 2025 at 2:09 AM
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What is advocacy in the League? 🤔

It's grassroots and nonpartisan. We study all viewpoints and reach consensus before we take action. The LWV never supports nor opposes candidates/political parties, but always works on vital issues.

Learn more ➡️ lwvwa.org/what-the-lea...
Blue background and transparent image of a close up of a group holding signs. The prominent sign reads: "No more excuses! Voting rights now!" with a LWV logo at the top. Image text is red, blue, and yellow and reads: "The League 101. What is advocacy in the League?"
November 16, 2025 at 1:56 AM