It's Time for Our Fall Kickoff! |
“Mail-in voting is insecure and vulnerable to fraud.”
“It’s so easy to hack voting machines!”
“Voter ID laws make our elections more secure. What’s the downside to that?”
Learn the truth about these election myths and more at our annual Fall Kickoff! Scheduled speakers, Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado and Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Celia Israel, will discuss how their offices work to ensure the security of our elections. Afterwards, you'll have a chance to expand your voter registration skills with Super VDR training from our Voters Service pros.
Light refreshments will be served.
Everyone is welcome -- invite your friends!
📅 When? Sunday, September 14, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
📍 Where? Thompson Conference Center, 2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, 78712
Capacity is limited, so registration is required.
Register at the link below. If you need assistance, email lwvaustin@lwvaustin.org or call (512) 451-6710.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Read on, friends! | Dear Members & Friends,
September marks the beginning of our volunteer year – voter registration, First Vote! in area high schools, advocacy and education in our community, and publication and distribution of the Voters Guide and VOTE411. Ready to dive in? There's a lot of work to do in a constitutional crisis. Let LWVAA help you find your niche!
Fall Kickoff
The theme of this year's Fall Kickoff is “Your Vote: Use It or Lose It.” Join us on Sunday, September 14, at the Thompson Conference Center on the UT Austin campus as we welcome Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk, and Celia Israel, Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector, to discuss election security. Bust some myths about elections and take the opportunity to expand your Volunteer Deputy Registrar skills with Super VDR training. Light snacks are provided and parking is available.
Unite and Rise
The League’s participation in the second quarter of Unite & Rise 8.5 will focus on community outreach and engagement with the many organizations, neighborhood associations, churches, and groups that are ready to take action to protect our democracy at the local, state, and national level. If you would like to join this committee and get involved, contact Cynthia Griffin.
Speakers Bureau
At the August LWVAA board retreat, an important part of the discussion centered around getting our message out on a variety of League topics. We will be rebooting the Speakers Bureau this fall to do research, writing, and training for members to deliver talks to the community about LWV history, what’s on the ballot, why your vote matters, how to navigate VOTE411, and other timely topics. If this sounds like your jam, please contact Joyce Jackson or Debbi Voss.
| Voter Registration Updates
Chris Womack, LWVAA member and lead VDR, reported that LWVAA volunteers registered 45 voters at the Pride Parade and 31 students at the Saint Edwards University Anchors Event on the same day!
The number of voters we register is limited only by the number of VDRs at our events. We need members and supporters to volunteer as VDRs -- and if you have experience tabling, we need VDR leads for events.
Show your support for democracy by volunteering as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar today!
Learn How to be a VDR
Watch our event calendar to sign up for Volunteer Opportunities on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, September 16.
|  | LWVAA's First Vote! training was a success!
Each year, more than 15,000 people turn 18 in Travis County -- and many of them will turn 18 during their senior year in high school. We were proud to offer a workshop to share how LWVAA educates and registers high school seniors through our First Vote! program.
We were excited to have Kyra Newton, cofounder of Beyond Boundaries; Mary Furey, the Travis County Voter Registration Outreach Program Coordinator; and Andrea MacRae from LWV of Hays County, along with members of LWV of Williamson County and LWV of the Austin Area, in attendance. Learn more about First Vote! here.
Watch for First Vote! volunteer opportunities on our event calendar. | Communications & Technology
| Watch the latest videos in our Explainer series
| Use your "Spidey sense" when news doesn't seem reliable
| What's on the Ballot in November?
There are 17 Texas constitutional amendments on our ballot this November -- far too many to cover in one meeting! Join our panelists as they discuss the consequences of the passage or failure of these five amendments:
- Proposition 4: Creation of a state water fund
- Proposition 12: Change to the composition of the Commission on Judicial Conduct
- Proposition 14: Establishment of a dementia research institute
- Proposition 15: Parental rights
- Proposition 16: A ban on non-citizens from voting
Panelists include:
- Scott Stewart, Legislative Affairs Director for the American Council of Engineering Companies
- Lisa Hobbs, Civil appellate lawyer and former General Counsel for the Texas Supreme Court
- Valerie DeBill, VP of Voters Service for LWVAA
Registration opens on Monday, September 15.
Watch your inbox for the announcement!
| There's a Constitutional Amendment Election coming up!
- October 6 Last day to register to vote in the November 4 election
- October 20 Early voting period begins
- October 24 Application to Vote by Mail due
- October 31 Early voting period ends
- November 4 Constitutional Amendment Election Day
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LWVUS Actions
Get involved! There are many ways to have your voice heard by elected officials and policy makers. Take action on League priorities today!
| Empower Voters at Your Events |
Is an organization or business you know hosting a concert, picnic, panel, or party? Help your community get vote-ready! Request a nonpartisan LWVAA voter registration table.  Email tablingrequest@lwvaustin.org.
To request a co-host or to provide a speaker for an event please fill out the form on the Request Speaker/Table page. LWV Austin Area Co-president, Debbie Voss, will work with your organization to find the best speaker for your topic.
We show up anywhere people gather with clipboards, answers, and nonpartisan energy!
| 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!
| Michelle Ahmad
Ann Conrad
Christina DeStefano
Cathryn Dorsey
Christina Erickson
LuAnn Howell
Ann Johns
Lisa Kunitz |
Debra Leff
Russ Lockwood
Barbara Martin
Samantha McClellan
Mariana Miranda
Leah Nyfeler
Jane Pollard
Cathie Robinson |
|
Janie Rowland
Veronica Schleiss
Jennifer Schwenker
Kathy Sederholm
Laura Smith
Charlotte Tyer
Linda Young |
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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. | |