Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy
Being a voter is just one way to be civically engaged. Democracy needs defenders like you every day. We help you get involved in issues that matter in our San Diego community, as well as state and national issues.
What can you do to defend democracy?
Every person has their own way of engaging, given available time, skills and values. We hope this gives you some ideas from which to choose.
Contact elected and other officials
Phone calls are recorded, but emails are not. We recommend calling. Use the 5 Calls app to make phone calls.
Town halls: local Congress members have held town halls to get input from the community. Attend one. Ask tough questions.
Write letters or postcards
Postcard campaigns through groups such as MoveOn and Democracy Forward.
Engage with a political campaign
There are local, state and national campaigns that seek help.
Attend a candidate forum or event
Ask tough questions about candidates' policy proposals.
Public protest
- Take Action San Diego has a list of protests on its website.
- Search "protests 2025" or "protests near me" on Instagram or Facebook to find local ones.
Make donations
Donate to groups that are defending democracy. See the list in our LWVSD Democracy Toolkit.
Contact the Supreme Court or Federal Judicial Center
Call the Supreme Court general information line at 202-479-3000, or the public information office at 202-479-3211 (press 1). Or write: Chambers of Justice John Roberts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1 First Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20543.
Call the Federal Judicial Center at 202-502-4000. Address: Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, One Columbus Circle NE, Washington, D.C., 20002-8003.
What can I do about immigration?
What can you do in San Diego?
- Be a witness in immigration court:
- Help provide support to immigrant communities and families: give rides, deliver food.
- See the list of groups to volunteer with.
What can you do about ICE raids?
- Go where raids are happening: record them, protest them.
- Join efforts to keep ICE away from hospitals, schools, and shelters.
- Support the ACLU and its litigation to limit ICE tactics such as mask use and racial profiling.
- Post on social media about the truth and impact of ICE raids.
Donate to local and national groups working on litigation
- ACLU of Imperial and San Diego Counties
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Pope Francis Center
- Organizations offering pro bono legal services
- Major national immigrant organizations
See the full list at our Immigration Resource and Information List.
Get political
- Write to Senators and Congress members in support of bipartisan proposals and in opposition to ICE funding and tactics.
- Thank an Attorney General or federal judge for work restricting mass deportation.
- Attend town halls and ask tough questions.
- Participate in marches and make signs.
- Weekly protests: Thursdays at 10am at the Federal Courthouse
- Sundays at 1:30pm at the Otay Mesa Detention Center
- Join the LWVSD Immigration and Deportation Committee.
- Work on or donate to key campaigns for the November 2026 election. See the list of immigration questions for candidates.
Speak out and change the public narrative
- Attend public meetings. Talk with local officials or the Sheriff.
- Talk with friends and family.
- Post items on social media that express your values.
Talking points for the public narrative on immigration
- Immigrants have economic value and make many contributions to our country.
- Due process (the right to a fair hearing) is a right for non-citizens.
Key myths and misinformation to counter:
- Non-citizens vote
- Immigrants are criminals
- Immigrants hurt the economy
- There is a "mandate" to deport non-criminal undocumented residents
- Bipartisan work on immigration is hopeless
See the Myths, Facts and Sources list.
LWV Unite and Rise 8.5 Initiative
In May 2025, LWVUS announced its Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative in response to the constitutional crisis our country is facing. LWVUS has provided new initiatives every three months to give LWV members ideas for action.