Look in this newsletter for:
Read on to learn more! | Finding Strength in Tough Times
Democracy is facing real challenges. Misinformation spreads fast, voting rights are under attack, and civic engagement can feel like an uphill battle. But we are not powerless. The League doesn’t just witness history — we shape it. Through education, advocacy, and action, we build a stronger democracy together. This month, take part in the work, connect with your community, and make a difference.
Amplify Austin: A Day to Give Back
Amplify Austin is a 24-hour giving campaign that turns small donations into big impact. Your support helps the League empower voters and defend democracy through education, outreach, and advocacy. See info below to set up your donation ahead of time!
Annual Fundraiser: Raise Hell for Democracy!
On April 2nd, join us at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar for Raise Hell for Democracy! The evening kicks off with a reception at The Highball, followed by a screening of Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins, a documentary celebrating Texas’ own political firebrand.
Your ticket includes two drinks, a meal, popcorn, and the chance to support democracy while having a great time. Proceeds fuel our work to ensure voters in Austin and Travis County have the information they need. Buy a ticket, make a donation, or become a sponsor — however you join, you’re standing up for democracy.
More Ways to Get Involved
Engage with the State League’s Capitol Corps. Advocate with lawmakers. Participate in the consensus meeting for the Federal Judiciary Study and explore the role of courts in democracy. Or join us on March 4 for Light for Our Democracy, a nonpartisan community gathering at the Texas Capitol bringing people together in reflection, action, and solidarity. Whether through policy work, volunteering, or staying informed, there’s a place for you in this fight.
As Molly Ivins said, "The history of this country is one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America." The work isn’t done — and neither is our resolve. Let’s raise more hell, lift more voices, and keep moving forward.
Jessica Foreman, LWVAA President
Return to top |  | At a time when democracy is under threat, we're asking you — and countless folks across the country — to come together to defend it. Join LWVAA and other members of your community at Texas' local Light for Our Democracy gathering for a night of reflection, solidarity, and action to defend our democracy.
Where: South side of the Texas State Capitol
When: March 4, 2025, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Who: All are welcome — bring your family and friends!
What to bring: Flashlights and nonpartisan posters supporting democracy
Learn more and volunteer at the link below. We hope to see you there!
Return to top |  | LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study Consensus Meeting
Join other LWVAA members as we develop our consensus on twelve questions regarding the third branch of government, the federal judiciary. Mark your calendars for a lively discussion!
When? Saturday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where? Austin Public Library, Yarborough Branch
What's this all about?
LWVUS has positions on Congress and the Presidency, but lacks a position on the federal judiciary. The scope of the Federal Judiciary Study is to develop a League position on the federal judiciary as an essential component of US democracy. The purpose of the study is to address concerns with such issues as judicial accountability, transparency, independence, and ethics.
LWVUS is doing this study. Why are local Leagues meeting about it?
League advocacy is based on positions adopted by consensus of the membership. Consensus through group discussion is the most common way the League arrives at positions on issues: it's the collective opinion of a substantial number of League members, representative of the membership from around the country, after an objective study of an issue.
To prepare for the meeting, please review
- The meeting agenda
- The Federal Judiciary Study Guide
- Federal Judiciary Study Town Hall, a 90-minute recording featuring experts from the Brennan Center for Justice, The CATO Institute, and NGV LLC
| Contact: Joanne Richards, VP Advocacy & Education
|  | |
Capitol Corps Training
March 5 at 12:00 noon, online. Those who’ve expressed an interest will receive a Zoom link closer to the date. If you have questions, contact Gina McCool.
LWVTX Lobby Days
As you read this March issue of The VOTER, we will have completed our Lobby Day visits with the Austin Area delegation. Shoutouts to Joan Barasch, Maryam Britton, Cynthia Griffin, Heather McKenzie, Karen Moore, Judy Reynolds, Amy Rice, Joanne Richards, Laura Ts’ao, and Mary Ward for making the visits. And appreciation to the Comal, Hill Country, and San Antonio Leagues for coordinating with us and joining us on our shared lawmaker visits.
Legislative Interviews
As reported in the February VOTER, LWVAA members interviewed the Austin legislative delegation, focusing on five questions requested by LWVTX:
- What are your priority issues for this legislative session?
- What issues do you see dominating this session?
- What legislation do you plan to introduce?
- Are there changes you would like to see in Election laws?
- Are there changes you would like to see in the redistricting process?
| Contact: Cynthia Griffin, Director of Advocacy
| | First Vote!
We're collaborating with a group of high school students, a high school teacher, and the Bastrop County Outreach Coordinator to bring First Vote! to Bastrop! We'll report in the next newsletter how our first event went. Bastrop currently doesn't have a local League, so we're jumping in to make First Vote! happen. Our long-term goal is to find local volunteers in Bastrop to carry the program and for LWVAA to provide support with infrastructure and extra volunteers as needed.
There's Still Time to Sign Up for Our March 8 Workshop
This year we're trying something new: in-person workshops to perfect interactive portions of the presentation, to learn how to present graphical data, and to help folks get involved in behind-the-scenes activities.
We're always looking for ways to increase engagement in the classroom. If you have ideas for brief interactive activities suitable for high school students, we would love to hear from you.
Sign up for the First Vote! mailing list to receive notifications about volunteering opportunities and workshop/training schedules.
| LWVAA Nominating Committee
|  | The Nominating Committee Search is On!
At a time when the stakes are highest for defending democracy, step up to put your leadership skills and passions to work as an LWVAA board member for 2025-26. Members of our board are elected by League members at the Annual Meeting each May. Members vote on a slate of nominees presented annually by the Nominating Committee.
We seek Board of Directors candidates with the interests and qualifications to provide our League good governance and who adhere to our strict nonpartisan policy.
We warmly encourage and invite League members to consider serving in this way!
Positions to be filled (2025-26)
- President
- President-Elect
- Advocacy Director
- Development Director
- Audit Chair
- Voters Guide Questions Committee Chair
- Two Members of the Nominating Committee
To apply for any of these positions, please log in to complete a short form Board Member Application. For more information, or to schedule a time to meet, contact Debbi Voss, Nominating Committee Chair, at dvoss@lwvaustin.org or 713-826-1580. We look forward to hearing from you!
| Contact: Debbi Voss, Chair Nominations Committee
| 🗳️ Empower Voters & Defend Democracy on Amplify Austin Day!
Amplify Austin Day is a 24-hour giving event running from 6:00 p.m. on March 5 through 6:00 p.m. on March 7. Join other Central Texans in supporting local nonprofits like the League of Women Voters Austin Area!
💡 What We Do:
✅ Publish our nonpartisan Voters Guide 📖
✅ Host candidate forums & provide civic education 🎤
✅ Register new voters & engage the community 🏛️
💙 How You Can Help:
🔹 Donate to LWVAA during Amplify Austin!
🔹 Set up your donation early! 📢
🔹 Follow us on social media & spread the word! 📲
Every dollar helps strengthen democracy—thank you for your support!
| |
"The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it's worth fighting for, even if it seems impossible." -- Molly Ivins | Raise Hell for Democracy!
On April 2, 2025, the League of Women Voters Austin Area will Raise Hell for Democracy at our annual fundraiser. Join us at the Alamo South Lamar for a lively evening, starting with a reception at the Highball and followed by a screening of Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins, a 2019 documentary that tells the inspiring and witty story of Texas' own political firebrand in a way that lets the the legendary journalist's "voice and presence come through as if she were still here" (The Hollywood Reporter).
Tickets are going fast! Your $125 ticket includes two drinks, a meal, popcorn, and the opportunity to support democracy while having a great time! Proceeds from this event will fuel the work we do to ensure that voters in Austin and Travis County have the information they need to participate fully in our democracy.
What: Raise Hell For Democracy
When: Wednesday, April 2, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S Lamar, Austin, 78704
Buy a ticket, make a donation, or become a sponsor and know that your attendance and generosity will register and inform more voters right here in the Austin area. Won't you join us in our mission to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy?
If you need assistance buying your ticket, contact LWVAA by phone at (512) 451-6710 or by email at lwvaustin@lwvaustin.org.
Interested in sponsoring the event? Check out our sponsor packet!
Can't attend but want to support the League? Donate here.
| LWV Member Portal Launched February 3
- Did you join LWVAA in February? Welcome to the League! If you haven't received login credentials for our website, we apologize. There have been some delays getting data transferred to local League databases. When your information is added to our database, you'll receive an email from us assigning your login credentials so that you can access the "members only" section of the website. In the meantime, we've added you to a special mailing list category so that you don't miss any member communications. We've also prepared a document listing committees and teams that would welcome your involvement, plus some upcoming events that you may find interesting.
- Ready to join? Time to renew? Remember to join and renew using the link on our "Join Us" page to ensure that you see all join/renew options!
- Questions or concerns? Contact Joyce Jackson, Membership Director, at the link below.
| Step into Springtime with the League!
We hope you (and anyone you’d like to bring) will join us for this no-cost outdoor event with fun activities for all ages.
| |
Youth Art & Writing Contest
| Last Call for the 2025 Picture This Contest!
Submissions for our 2025 Picture This youth art and writing contest are due March 2! This year's theme is "What Makes a Strong Community?" Austin area students in elementary school (grades 1- 5), middle school (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12) may submit entries.
A $150 Amazon gift card will be awarded to winners within each age group (with up to six total awards), and winners will be recognized at our 2025 Friends & Family Spring Festival.
Help us spread the word! Please invite -- and encourage! -- anyone you know who may like to participate.
| Communications & Technology
| The League of Women Voters supports credible and ethical local journalism, in whatever format it is published, as essential to our democracy.
| I see you!
Influence Your State Government
Influence Your Local Government
| LWV Events
Community Events
- Saturday, March 1 - It's My Park Day, the Austin Parks Foundation's biannual, community-led day of service
- Tuesday March 3, 6:30 p.m. - Death Penalty in Texas by the LBJ Library Future Forums
- Wednesday, March 5, 11:00 a.m. - Advocacy Letter Writing Workshop hosted by the Austin Urban League
- Friday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. - Mapping Our Power hosted by the Austin Urban League - educators, parents, and community members will discuss how to collectively harness our power to create positive change in education
| Read LWVUS Blogs & Press Releases
Urgent Action Needed!
| Visit the LWVAA Shop for Your Voter Registration Apparel!
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!
| |
Christie Brophy
Angela Christopher
Beth Garza
Christine Hagen
Marvin Hecker
Joi Holcomb
Linda Kuhrt
|
| Wendy Malloch
Timothy Mann
Natasha Marwah
Barbara McKee
Michael Morin
Sharon Oard Warner
Laura Ramirez-Mann
|
|
|
Melanie Richardson
Jamie Rigdon
Danna Roberts
Andrea Stanfill Castro
Lisa Sutherland
Debbie Tropiano
|
|
| 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. | |