"Remember, remember always, that all of us...are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." — Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Read on, friends! | Dear Members & Friends,
“You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.” – Grace Lee Boggs
Unite and Rise
That’s what the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative is all about: embracing our collective responsibility for defending our democracy from ever-increasing attacks.
What’s this 8.5 business about? It’s about mobilizing 8.5 million eligible voters to engage in nonviolent protest and civic activism between now and the 2026 midterms. That number is 3.5% of the roughly 245 million people eligible to vote in last year’s general election – and according to a Harvard study, nonviolent protest movements that have engaged at least 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
That’s a lot of folks to mobilize. You bet it is, but LWVAA isn’t in this alone. Over 750 state and local Leagues are doing their part.
In Travis County, 3.5% translates to about 37,450 of 1.07 million voting-aged residents. That’s how many people LWVAA needs to reach in the next 18 months to help make meaningful change happen.
“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Focus on what you can do.” – Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
This is where you come in. Can you speak before the City Council and the County Commission about issues that are important to you? Can you observe our local governing bodies, so we all know what they're working on and whether they’re acting with transparency? Can you speak to members and others about the League and about its priority issues? Can you help craft our outreach message to would-be voters, connecting policy to everyday practicalities and helping us equip people with the information they need to make informed decisions? What can you do to help get the message out so that more people see it?
If you belong to other organizations, invite us to speak at a membership meeting or contact Debbi Voss about co-hosting an event. Last month we had a successful collaboration with ResistAustin, screening the documentary Bringing Down a Dictator; we hope that it was the first of many such events. On July 5, we'll be at Freedom Fest, and on July 17, we'll participate in Good Trouble Lives On, a national day of action to mark the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing. We’ll be sharing more details about that soon.
Summer Fun!
And because joy can be an act of resistance, get out and have some fun this summer. Celebrate the anniversary of our country’s independence on July 4. Take a picnic to the State Capitol and enjoy some great live music at Freedom Fest on July 5. Speaking of live music, check out the Hillside Concert Series, Austin’s longest-running free concert series, on Tuesdays in July. And LWVAA is planning a summer mixer sometime in August: no formal program, just a chance to reconnect, recover, and recharge. Keep an eye on your inbox and on our event calendar!
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Stay Informed: Sign the LWVUS Unite and Rise Commitment Form
To build the powerful movement we need for the 2026 elections, we must grow our network of Unite and Rise supporters -- and we can’t do it without you.
LWVUS launched the Unite and Rise Commitment Form to identify folks who are ready to stand with the League of Women Voters as we prepare for future mobilizations. By signing, you're letting the League know that you're ready to act in support of this initiative. You'll receive focused updates every 90 days. No spam, no unrelated emails -- just the information you need to take action when it matters most.
This form is open to everyone who believes in our mission, but we hope every League member will be among the first to sign and share. Here’s how you can help:
- Complete the form yourself if you haven’t already.
- Share the form widely -- with your networks, on social media, in newsletters, and in conversations.
- Encourage others to do the same.
Together, we can build a movement that’s ready to rise when the moment calls. Let’s make sure no one is left out.
Help Central Texas Unite and Rise!
LWVAA members: To help us take action here at home, log in and take our survey to let us know your skills and how you can support Unite and Rise locally. The survey -- which should take less than ten minutes to complete -- describes the four focus areas of Unite and Rise 8.5 and asks you to choose one or two areas that interest you the most. Responses are due by July 2.
Together we can defend democracy!
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It was a lot of fun to offer voter registration at all Austin ISD graduation ceremonies! Despite some hot days, volunteers reported that they really enjoyed the experience. Shout out to Anna Pittala, who signed up for a ton of lead shifts and took lots of cool pictures!
We registered 102 brand new voters from all over AISD -- and we made quite a few soon-to-be high school graduates quite happy with candy and sometimes a blast of air from our handy battery fans.
| Contact: Susana Carranza, First Vote! Chair
|  | Voter Registration and Turnout
June was a busy month for voter registration at community events! We started with Soul of Austin at Huston-Tillotson University, tabled at the No Kings rally on June 14, and joined several Juneteenth celebrations, including the big Central Texas Juneteenth and events at ACC and at the Neill-Cochran House Museum.
In July we will have a booth at all four dates of the Pan Am Hillside Concert Series, listening to music and registering voters where they are!
As an official partner of Hands Off! Central Texas, we will also be present at the upcoming Hands Off Central Texas events on July 5 and July 17.
Opportunities to register voters are posted regularly on the events calendar. Be on the lookout for multiple opportunities coming up in July.
Remember: You can help support democracy by encouraging organizations or events to provide a voter registration table. Is your organization hosting a concert, picnic, panel, or party? Let us help your guests get vote-ready! We bring the materials, you bring the energy.
 Email tablingrequest@lwvaustin.org to request a VDR table or a speaker.
| | Austin History Center. A photo of students outside the Baker School around 1922 | Fun Facts to Know & Tell
What are the oldest and newest polling sites in Austin?
Austin City Hall, built in 1871 at 134 W 8th Street, is technically our oldest polling site. However, the current City Hall was built in 2004, so that doesn't count. The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary opened in 1902, but also at a different location than where we currently vote.
What building houses the actual oldest current polling site? Baker Center – yes, that Baker Center, home of the LWVAA office – which was built in 1911.
Our newest polling site? Rosedale School, built in 2022. The original Rosedale School, built in 1939, was also a polling site for many years.
(Word to the wise -- this might be on the test!)
| Communications & Technology
| Learn how to Take Action and Defend Democracy
Engage in our Constitution and government and see for yourself how government is supposed to run on the federal, state, and local levels with our new Stand up For Democracy web page, Can the president do that? & Unite and Rise video shorts found on all your favorite social media channels. Click the image above!
Find hope and inspiration by watching the Girls Performance & Advocacy video about the history of women's suffrage created for the League’s Spring Friends & Family Festival in April.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
| Highlighted Community Events
| Read LWVUS Actions, Press Releases, and Blogs
LWVUS Urgent Actions!
As July 4 approaches, do your part to protect the independence of everyday Americans. Let Congress know that we oppose them stripping Americans of the vital services they need to survive. It's time to protect our nation’s most vital programs for the millions who need them by saying "NO" to the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Click the link below to send an email or to see a call script you can use when contacting your elected representatives.
| Members: Don't Forget to Order Your LWVAA Name Badge!
Let them know you're ready to empower voters and defend democracy by wearing your very own LWVAA name badge. Great for VDRs, First Vote! team members, Observer Corps, and for tabling at community events.
Badges cost $20, which includes tax and shipping. To order, log in to the LWVAA website and click the "Name Badges & Pins" link in the Members Only dropdown menu.
Visit Our Threadless Store for LWVAA Apparel & More!
Promote the League with t-shirt, mug, or tote bag! League stickers are great to hand out! All these things and more are available from the LWVAA store on Threadless.
| Welcome to Our Newest Members!
| Sara Beckmann
Kathryn Davis
Miranda Ebersole
Stanley Florek |
Leslie Harper
Jennifer Harris
Rebekah Janes
Anita Knight |
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Meg Lee
Hans Maverick
Hedrich Michaelsen
Maria Sullivan |
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| The League shall not support or oppose any political party or candidates. It may take action on governmental measures and policies in the public interest after significant study and consensus is reached. | |