Be a Voter in Two May elections! Look in this update for:
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Happy voting!
Have you cast your vote in the May 4th election yet?
Turnout has been very low – your vote is needed! This ballot includes several school board races and a vote for a new position, the Travis Central Appraisal District Board of Directors. Visit our website to learn more about this office.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our Friends and Family event last weekend.
We welcomed over 100 attendees, many of whom were not League members. I met a woman whose 7-year-old daughter was curious about how elections work. They found our event online and thought it would be an excellent introduction to civics for her -- and it was! The event featured a democracy-themed treasure hunt, personalized poems by Typewriter Rodeo, face painting, and more. It was also one of the most diverse events hosted by our league. Special thanks to Organization VP Kate Abel and her team for organizing this fantastic festival. Helen was very sad to see the Kona ice truck leave.
We also have another important event coming up on May 11 -- our Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting is the League’s business meeting where we pass a budget, elect officers, and set the agenda for the coming year. Your input is crucial – please log in and register today.
Many of you may be aware of the recent petition filed in court to remove Travis County’s District Attorney.
The Austin American-Statesman has published an excellent summary of the situation. We plan to monitor this case closely. Regardless of your views on our current DA, it’s concerning that the will of Travis County voters can be overturned by a court outside of Travis County via a boilerplate complaint that was created by a former opponent, although filed by another Travis County citizen. We hope to assign a League member to observe this case and to keep us informed. If you’re interested in helping us monitor the case, please email me.
| There Are Two Elections in May! What's on the Ballot?
Saturday, May 4: Local Election
- Travis, Williamson, and Hays county voters will choose three directors for their Central Appraisal District Board. Learn why.
- City council, mayor, and other races (Not Austin)
- School board races (Not AISD)
- If you live in specific areas of Austin that were annexed between 2015 and 2017, you may have the option to vote to leave the city of Austin.
- Note: Candidates on this ballot do not have a party affiliation listed next to their name.
Tuesday, May 28: Primary Runoff Election
This election will allow voters to choose between two candidates in any race where no single candidate received more than 50% of the votes in the March primary. The candidates with the highest and second-highest vote totals appear on the May runoff ballot.
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If you voted in the March primary, you may only vote in the primary runoff in the same party.
- If you did not vote in the March primary, you may vote in either party’s primary runoff.
- The Libertarian, Green, and other parties do not conduct primaries in Texas, so the only two party options for the primary runoff are Democratic and Republican. If you participated in a caucus for the Libertarian or Green Party, you may not vote in either primary runoff.
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It’s time to reconnect, network, and enjoy a Saturday afternoon with your LWVAA friends! The Annual Meeting is our business meeting where you will hear the President’s annual report, learn about and adopt the 2024-25 proposed budget, recognize outgoing board members and elect new members, and look ahead to the coming year. Light refreshments will be served.
Log in and register today!
Please review our annual workbook prior to the meeting. The workbook contains a recap of our activities over the past year, program recommendations for 2024-2025, proposed bylaws changes, and the slate of candidates for next year's board.
Help us set the agenda for next year as we gear up for the general election and more -- we hope to see you there!
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You never know what to expect, but you can count on some great interaction with voters!
On Saturday, April 27, we had volunteers out in the community registering voters and empowering them with the information they need to know about the May 4 local elections. VDR Susan Stewart registered voters at the Pflugerville Central Fire Station during their open house. Meanwhile, Volunteer Varun Voruganti spent the day at Earth Day Austin held at Huston-Tillotson University.
These events are fantastic opportunities to meet voters where they are, reinforce the fact that every vote matters -- and they usually come with some unexpected fun. The Earth Day event concluded with a friendship dance with Great Promise for American Indians and a rooster named Bob.
Voter registration is a year-round effort!
VDRs are needed to register voters at Alamo Drafthouse, to register first-time voters at area high schools as the school year ends, and to help at some exciting upcoming events we’re working on for the summer with new partners like the Andy Roddick Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.
VDRs interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit our volunteer opportunities page to sign up for one (or more!) of the many voter registration events that are happening around our area. These are great opportunities to get out into the community and connect with voters. I hope you will consider joining us if you are a VDR.
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First Vote! Volunteers have new mascots: "Reggie" and "Voh." Check out their First Vote! Fun! and watch more fun on social media.
Give a big shout out to all the volunteers who step up to ensure high school students are empowered with the information they need to register and vote in every election.
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Local Control
Bridget Grumet wrote an excellent column about voting and local control related to DA Garza and a recent state law. With Jessica Foreman’s permission to speak for LWVAA, I emailed Bridget to say that we agreed with her. I used language from our state-relations position from LWVTX, writing that there should be flexible structures and adequate powers at the local level. Bridget responded to my email with more points with which we agree. She said, “I worry that efforts like this not only undermine the will of the voters in a particular instance, but they also chip away at our public expectation that the people settle these matters at the ballot box… which can lead to apathy and less engagement." All good words, Bridget Grumet! -- Karen Nicholson, Advocacy Director
Environment
LWVAA signed on to a letter with Sierra Club, Public Citizen, and others to the Mayor and City Council about protecting the environment with a need for a quicker timeline for Austin Energy plans and emphasizing the importance of transparency in all actions.
Interested in Child Care?
There may be an opportunity to work more with United Way on child care. We can use a good LWVTX child care position for advocacy and need a person or two to participate in child care work and be liaison(s) to the group. To learn more or to volunteer, contact knicholson@lwvaustin.org
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Upcoming Changes
In January 2025, LWVUS is switching to a new, centralized membership system for all Leagues across the country. You don't need to take any action right now, but we want to give you an overview of these changes and what they might mean for you:
- If your membership is up for renewal in 2024, you'll renew through the LWVAA website as usual. When the new system launches next year, you will renew your membership through the new system on your normal renewal date.
- Beginning in 2025, dues will no longer be a fixed amount but will follow a "pay what you can" model. Local Leagues will no longer set their own dues. Instead, the recommended dues for all members across the country will be $75, and the minimum dues amount will be $20. Members can join or renew at any amount at or above the minimum.
- Under the current system, LWVAA pays a fixed amount per member to LWV Texas and to LWVUS. Under the new system, a percentage of the dues you pay will go to the state and national Leagues.
- Many members join as Sustaining members or add a donation to their dues when joining or renewing. Currently, any amount in excess of the base dues ($60 Individual / $90 Household) stays with LWVAA and is put to work locally. Beginning in 2025, the entire amount paid when a member joins or renews will be distributed among the local, state, and national Leagues.
- You will still be able to donate directly to LWVAA on the Donations page of our website.
- Portions of your dues will not be tax-exempt, but donations made directly to LWVAA will remain tax-exempt.
Through the "pay what you can" model, LWVUS hopes to expand and diversify its membership by eliminating financial barriers to participation. By changing the way that dues are distributed among the national, state, and local Leagues, LWVUS hopes to increase funding of state Leagues, where most voting rights advocacy takes place.
We will keep you informed as we have new information. If you have any questions, contact Joyce Jackson, Membership Director.
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Looking for a Gift for Mother's Day or Graduation? A Gift Membership to the League is Always in Season!
It’s May, and that means Mother’s Day and graduation season! How about giving the moms and grads in your life a membership to LWVAA? Choose from three gift amounts:
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$60 will cover an Individual Membership
- $90 will cover a Household Membership (2 members in the same household)
- $5 will cover a Student Membership
LWVAA will send your gift recipient an email on the day of your choosing, along with redemption instructions. The gift amount can be applied toward a new membership or membership renewal at any membership level.
Mom doesn’t live in the Austin area? Consider a donation to the League in her honor!
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Thank you to all who braved the rain and traffic on March 27 to join our annual fundraiser, An IRRESISTIBLE Evening for Democracy, at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. It was lots of fun and a financial success for the League.
| What a fantastic time we had at the 2024 Friends & Family Spring Festival!
Thank you very much to the following event supporters:
| LWVAustin.org Website Update
Look for the new translation button at the top of our home page. Check out our Spanish language webpage ¡Cómo ser un votante en Texas!
Social Media
Check out the fun videos showcasing LWV volunteers on your favorite social media channels!
Contact: Grace Chimene, VP Communications & Technology
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May 9 - Texas Tribune Event - Local News and Democracy
As part of the Texas Tribune's “We the Texans” project looking at the state of democracy in Texas, panelists will talk about news deserts in Texas, the real impact that communities are facing, and what can be done to address the issue and to ensure that Texans across the state have access to reliable local news. The event will be live streamed for virtual attendees and will be available to watch on demand.
| LWVUS
- The LWVUS 2024 National Convention will take place June 27 - June 30 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, and online. In-person and virtual delegates will have the opportunity to participate in the Convention Plenary and vote on the 2024-2026 Program; the 2024-2026 budget; the 2024-2026 LWVUS Board of Directors and Nominating Committee; and submitted bylaws amendments. Let Jessica Foreman know if you are interested in attending virtually or in person.
Action Alerts
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We thank Marmie’s daughter, Julia Lenz, family, and friends as the League of Women Voters Austin Area became the designated charity for contributions in her honor, reflecting her commitment to democracy and efforts to inspire future generations to participate. Read Julia's blog post about Marmie, "...It's How We Play the Hand."
| Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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Ryan Box*
Margaret Murphy* |
| Shelley Nathan May
Susan Philips*
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* Indicates a Sustaining Member
| Thank You to Our Sustaining and Renewing Members!
When you join LWV Austin Area, you automatically become 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. | |