Power to the People: Join the Fight with WV CAG’s Democracy Committee

By Julie Archer, Deputy Director

Defending our democracy not only means fighting voter suppression, but also participating in other civic and political processes, while ensuring that the structures we create within our organization embody the inclusive, people-centered decision-making practices we need in our government and our society. As part of our Organizing Revival, WV Citizen Action Group has been building local chapters and committee structures that let members help build community, shape priorities, and identify actions we can take together. 

This year, our pro-democracy work has focused on organizing opposition to anti-voter policies such as West Virginia’s new photo voter ID requirement, and other threats to ballot access, as well as other anti-democratic policies, including the elimination of public hearings in the legislative process and attacks on citizen air monitoring. 

We’ve also been organizing in impacted communities to fight data centers and other dirty energy proposals, and hosting conversations about the local impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” to share resources and explore how we can work together to keep care close to home.  

In November, we launched WV Citizen Action’s Democracy Committee to complement the work of our Climate and Healthcare committees and support the pillars of our work. Our democracy is being challenged in unprecedented ways that can seem overwhelming, but working together, we can reclaim our power from those who want to rule over rather than represent us. 

Join us in the work we are doing in response to the current threats while building for the future and a more just, inclusive democracy that’s transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of all West Virginians.