It's November -- we're thankful for our right to vote! Look in this update for:
Read on to learn more! |  | November 7, 2023: Constitutional Amendment Election
Research shows you have the power to increase voter participation!
- Talk about voting to your friends, family and coworkers -- in person and online!
- Stay positive about voting!
- Offer simple explanations for how to register, how to vote, where to vote, etc.
- Share the LWV Voters Guide.
- Make voting fun! Take family and friends to go vote.
- Share your voting photos on social media (but remember, no cameras inside the polling place!).
Vote early - until November 3. Casting your vote early is a great way to avoid lines, dodge last-minute conflicts, and take control of your democratic participation!
Vote on Election Day - November 7. Voting in state and local elections allows you to have a say in the issues that impact your everyday life, such as schools, housing, and jobs.
The election is fast approaching! We need your help to get the word out!
Voters who need help can contact:
From the President
I am taking a leave of absence until early November for maternity leave. But don’t worry, you are in good hands with the LWVAA board until then!
I look forward to seeing you all again in November.
Return to top |  | Join Us at These Upcoming Events!
Extreme Weather Events: Is Austin Prepared? - Tuesday, November 14, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Join LWVAA and Citizens' Climate Lobby to hear from: the Austin Fire Department about wildfire prevention, the Emergency Medical Services Association, Austin Energy, Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and others.
Panelists:
- Carrie Stewart, Austin Fire Department Wildfire Prevention
- Selena Xie, Emergency Medical Services Association
- Sara Henry, Homeland Security and Emergency Services
- Lisa Martin, Austin Energy
- Judge Andy Brown, Travis County Judge
- Moderator: Carol Eckelkamp, LWVAA
When: Tuesday, November 14, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Menchaca Branch Austin Public Library
Contact: VP Community & Policy Joanne Richards
|  | Mark your calendar for our annual Holiday Brunch!
Join us to celebrate our new members for 2023! Meet our newest members, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy a light brunch buffet. We can't wait to see you there! Invitations coming soon.
When: Saturday, December 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Cafetorium in the Alamo Baker Center at 3908 Avenue B, Austin, 78751
Contact: Membership Director Joyce Jackson
Taxes & the Texas Constitution from October 15!
LWVAA and Braver Angels Central Texas hosted a panel discussion on Taxes and The Texas Constitution last month. It was very well attended and appreciated by all. If you missed this event, the recording is available on our YouTube.
|  | | In photo above: Claudia Yañez (right) Director of Voter Registration and Voter Turnout, League of Women Voters Austin Area at Univision studios in Austin on October 25, 2023.
Community Engagement With Despierta Austin
During October, the League of Women Voters Austin Area had the opportunity to record Spanish-language public service announcements with KAKW-DT (channel 62), a television station that serves as the Austin area outlet for the Spanish-language network Univision. Claudia Yañez, Director of Voter Registration and Voter Turnout for LWVAA, was interviewed twice by Claudia Talamantez, the host of Despierta Austin, an early morning program that airs on television and radio.
The first interview focused on sharing more information about the League, registering to vote, voter resources like the League’s Voters Guide that is available in Spanish, and how to get more information about the League.
The second interview that took place during early voting focused on the November election, information about where to vote and the types of identification that can be used, and the election protection hotline that is available if voters run into issues voting.
This was a great opportunity to educate voters and remind Spanish-speaking voters that su voto es su voz - “your vote is your voice” - and demonstrate the League’s commitment to empowering voters through increased knowledge and confidence to participate in elections.
Contact: Directory of Voter Registration and Voter Turnout, Claudia Yanez
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Photo Front Left: Claudia Yañez, LWV Austin Area Director of Voter Registration and Voter Turnout with TX Votes members on the UT Campus
LWV Austin Area Visits TX Votes Ballot Breakdown
TX Votes, a student organization dedicated to increasing electoral participation at the University of Texas at Austin, hosted a panel discussion on October 26, 2023. The discussion focused on four major funds on the ballot in the November Texas Constitutional Amendment Election and provided students an opportunity to learn more about how parks, water, broadband, and higher education are all on the ballot in November.
Claudia Yañez, Director of Voter Registration and Voter Turnout for LWVAA, attended the event and met student leaders and members. Students were engaged with numerous questions about the amendments. The discussion concluded with the event coordinator distributing a “make a plan to vote” leaflet to each student in attendance with four questions: how will I vote? when will I vote? where will I vote? who will I vote with? Students were invited to show up in costumes for a “Halloween At The Polls” event on October 31st, complete with a costume contest and free candy.
Contact: Directory of Voter Registration and Voter Turnout, Claudia Yanez
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First Vote!
So far this fall we shared our First Vote presentation with 1,538 students and registered 200 of them. In addition, 124 students filled out reminder cards, enabling League volunteers to send them election reminders. We have been collaborating with LWV of Williamson County on the development of presentation materials, sharing best practices, and jointly staffing events.
In the coming weeks and months, we will continue reaching out to Travis County schools. There are thousands of high school seniors in the Austin area, and we would love to help all of them navigate their very first vote!
If you are interested in helping, please reach out to Susana Carranza, First Vote Chair,
| Advocacy Opportunities!
Meetings with local elected officials are a win-win for LWV!
Advocacy had a very productive meeting with a new city councilman. He highlighted several situations where we can be helpful. Although we try to interview all new elected officials, why not interview all of them? Great idea -- if we had more volunteers!
Would you like to talk to your City Council member, County Commissioner, or AISD Board member? The interview should be about 30 minutes and LWVAA provides the questions. How easy is that?
It is even better if two people go and if one of them is a constituent. The elected officials get to “know” the LWV. We get information. Win. Win. If you are interested in meeting with your local elected officials email Karen Nicholson using the link below: include your name and indicate whether you are interested in interviewing a member of the City Council, Commissioner’s Court, or AISD. Let Karen know what district you are in or who represents you (find out at the link below) and we can set up a meeting.
Other opportunities: we still need a point person for the environment and a person to observe Commissioners Court meetings.
|  | You Can Help With Communications!
LWV's mission is empowering voters. defending democracy!
GOTV - Get more voters to the polls!
Whatever social media channels you are on, it is likely LWV Austin Area is there! LWVAA and LWVTX are even on TikTok!
You can help by following, liking, and sharing LWV Austin posts with your friends, family, and coworkers!
Share voter education!
Sharing LWV accomplishments!
Want to help prepare for the 2024 elections?
Return to top |  | Volunteer Opportunities
VDRs to Register Voters
We have lots of volunteer opportunities for VDRs. Help local democracy! Sign up to register voters!
Contact: Director of Voter Registration and Turnout Claudia Torres-Yanez
Contact: Director of First Vote Susana Carranza
Advocacy Volunteers
Join the Observer Corps to help League advocacy! Attend local government meetings, in person or online, and take notes on important actions taken and issues discussed at the meeting.
Subject Matter Experts: Help us advocate on the local level on many Austin area issues.
Communications Volunteer
Interested in GOTV or voter education online? Do you love creating social media? Are you interested in making videos to reach more voters through TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube? We’d love to have you on the communications team!
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Tax-Smart Ways to Give to the League
With the holidays and the end of the year approaching, you may be considering ways to give back to your community. Here are 3 tax-smart ways to support the League of Women Voters Austin Area:
1. New: Gift of Stock*
Did you know you can now support LWVAA with a gift of stock? By giving stock to your local League, you’ll avoid paying capital gains taxes on your stock and take a deduction on your tax return.
2. IRAs and Other Retirement Plans*
If you’re at least 70 ½ or better, you can give up to $100,000 directly from your IRA, 401(k), or your other traditional IRA and IRA-based plans, called a qualified charitable distribution. By giving directly from your retirement account to LWVAA, you are supporting the work you love and you won’t pay income taxes on the amount you donate. Best of all, this gift will count as your required minimum distribution if one is due (usually for those 72 or better).
3. Donor Advised Funds*
A donor-advised fund account is a simple, tax-smart investment solution for charitable giving. Donor-advised funds can be set up with financial institutions or local community foundations. You may contribute cash, securities, or appreciated assets. You’ll be eligible for a current-year tax deduction and can be more strategic about your giving decisions in the future.
If you have a donor-advised fund, you can contribute to your fund today and get the 2023 tax benefits while giving to LWVAA for years to come. Or if you have a fund already, you can give to LWVAA from your fund at any time.
How to Give?
- If you’re giving from your retirement fund, donor-advised fund, or by personal check, send your donation to:
LWV Austin Area
3908 Avenue B
Austin, TX 78751
- For donations from your retirement fund or donor-advised fund, you will need our tax ID, which is 81-3447172.
- If you would like to donate by credit card, you can give online at our website.
- Click here to donate stock directly to LWV-AA. Simply select “League of Women Voters Austin Area” from the dropdown menu and follow the online instructions.
However you choose to give, if you give at least $200 in a 12-month period we’ll thank you by listing you as one of our supporters in the Voters Guide, the go-to guide to elections in the Austin area. That’s less than $17/month!
Your Gift Makes a Difference
As a supporter of LWVAA, you’re making a difference. Your gift empowers your neighbors right here in the Austin area to engage in our democracy, whether it’s by helping voters make an educated choice at the polls, teaching marginalized communities how to advocate for their interests, or registering high schoolers to make sure they can vote as soon as they’re of age. Thank you for your support!
*This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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Seeking to Hire
The League of Women Voters of Texas is seeking to hire two individuals who are passionate about empowering voters and defending democracy. We are hiring a 30-hour/week development director and a 20-hour/week office assistant.
Development Director
The ideal candidate for the development director position will have experience with high donor solicitations, donor segmentation, and writing impactful donation appeals.
Office Assistant
The best candidate for the League's office assistant is a problem solver with excellent customer relations skills. Primary tasks will include answering the phone and responding to email inquiries.
If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to Aileen McMurrer at amcmurrer@lwvtexas.org.
LWVUS - Take ACTION!
| Welcome to Our Newest Members! | | Sandra Avila Ramirez
Maria Baker
John Bishop*
Ezekiel Briceno
Mary Nell & Victor de la Garza*
Beth & Travis Good
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Cynthia Griffin
Janet Heher
Diane Hernandez
Lea Isgur
Jamie Lankes
Emma Lea Mayton
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| Karen Moore*
Lisa Paul
Cynthia Roberts
Lida Saunders
Stacey Solano*
David Thomason*
Clint Zehner*
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* Indicates a Sustaining Member
| Thank You to Our Sustaining and Renewing Members!
As a member of the Austin Area League, you are also a member of the National and Texas Leagues.
| | 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. | |