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Date: 1/12/2026
Subject: The Weekly VOTER for January 12, 2026 - LWV of the Austin Area
From: League of Women Voters of the Austin Area

January 12, 2026

Welcome to LWVAA's Weekly VOTER

The Weekly VOTER is here to make sure everyone stays in the know about opportunities to empower voters and defend democracy in our community. Like what you see? Please share with your friends!

Sign Up for the Weekly VOTER

Read the full LWVUS statement: LULAC, Joined by Leading Legacy Civil Rights Organizations, Calls for Congressional Investigation Into Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Action.

2026 New Year Brunch with many photos of LWV volunteers having fun.

View all the photos from the 2026 New Years Brunch Honoring LWV Volunteers.

Watch the YouTube video Celebrating the work of LWV volunteers in 2025.

Empowering Voters

Democracy needs your support today!

🗳️ The "election before the election" is coming up! 👀

Primary elections decide who makes it onto the November ballot, and they matter more than most people realize, especially here in Texas.

✔️ Register to vote by February 2
✔️ Early voting starts February 17
✔️ Election Day is March 3

Take at least one action to support democracy

✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 Find an opportunity to volunteer below

🗳️ Share info on the March 3 Primary Election. Let voters know they can vote in the primary elections

📲 Encourage your community to sign up for LWV nonpartisan voting reminders by texting VOTERINFO to 512-595-3755

🎨 Invite students to submit art or writing projects to the Picture This Contest

👀 Read The Austin Common's article "6 (civic) things you can do right now to make a difference in 2026" and take an action

Find opportunities to support 🗳️ democracy

The LWVAA calendar is here to help!

Volunteers needed

Urgent! Support voter registration activities
Urgent! Encourage voting in the March 3 primary by addressing postcards to voters. We supply preprinted cards, pens, address lists, and postage. Drop in to the LWVAA office to help address cards -- and feel free to bring a friend! Want to work at home, or host a postcard party with your book club or civic group? Swing by and pick up supplies! The office will be open the following days and times:
- 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on January 12 and 14
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon on January 13, 15, and 17
Sign up with the new LWVAA Speakers Bureau
Find many more opportunities to use your time and talent to volunteer with LWVAA

Register voters with the League

🗳️ Every Friday: Register voters at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar and Mueller

🗳️ Every Saturday: Register voters at Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline

📚 Check our event calendar for First Vote! opportunities

Events

🗳️ Jan 14: Lunch & Learn With LWV Wilco: 2026 Election Overview

🚔 Jan 13 & 16: Austin Police Oversight: Know Your Rights public input meeting (online)

✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 Make plans for the MLK holiday

Jan 15 & 16: Carver Celebrates King : Celebrating the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Jan 19:
- Join the Huston-Tillotson annual MLK Community March and Festival. Wave at the volunteers with the LWV Austin Area who will register voters at the event.
- BRAVE Communities - Circles of Light 2026 - A MLK Community Gathering

Find More Events & Volunteer Opportunities

Defending Democracy

At 6:00 p.m. on January 20, join LWVAA and the American Association of University Women at the AFS Theater for a screening of Zurawski v Texas, a documentary that reveals the dire impact of losing access to reproductive healthcare and the extraordinary efforts of the women and men fighting on the front lines to regain those rights. The screening will be followed by a talk-back panel featuring plaintiff Amanda Zurawski; State Representative Donna Howard; and Dr. Amna Dermish, Chief Operating and Medical Services Director for Planned Parenthood. The $15 ticket price covers theater rental, documentary license fee, and speaker honoraria.

Buy Your Tickets Today!

Watch LWVAA Social Media Director Laura T'sao's video Can the President Take Away Your Citizenship?

🛑 Can the President take away your citizenship? Short answer: NO. The President can’t revoke your citizenship directly. But they can use the power of the government to target people. This video breaks down what’s true, what’s not, and why due process matters for millions of Americans. ✊Immigrants are not threats!

LWVAA Advocacy Committee update

Austin Mayor & City Council have drafted proposed new rules for Austin City Council office spending and transparency. A draft City Council Office Budget and Expense Policy is available for review. It is likely the Audit & Finance Committee will review the policy draft on January 15 and it's possible that there will be a vote by the entire Mayor and Council as early as January 22.

Did you know you can email ALL Austin City Council Members with a single form to share your thoughts? Bookmark this form.

Questions? Contact Advocacy Director Cathy McHorse at advocacy@lwvaustin.org.

🗣️ Be a voice for Austin

Austin Police Oversight (APO) is updating Austin’s Know Your Rights materials and needs community input. Learn about this effort and share your perspective by visiting the Know Your Rights community input page. Your feedback will directly shape the updated 2026 Know Your Rights resources.

Take the Know Your Rights Survey. Join a Community Focus Group.

The City of Austin is seeking public input as it develops a citywide Curbside Management Plan aimed at addressing competing uses for curb space. The upcoming plan is intended to help prioritize curb uses, reduce conflicts, and prepare for future changes, with a focus on safety, fairness, and efficiency.

🔗 Curbside Management - Public Input

Find more opportunities to share your opinion at Speak Up Austin

Join a City board or commission

✨ Bring your perspective. Influence policy. Represent your community. Apply online at austintexas.gov/department/boards-and-commissions

📜 Read the LWVUS blog

Five Years After the Insurrection: A Constitutional Crisis, Then v. Now

LWVUS Newsroom LWVUS Blog Take Action With LWV

Democracy in the News

📰 Keep up with democracy news

Community Impact
NPR -A visual archive of Jan. 6, 2021, through the lenses of those who were there.
Austin American Statesman - CapMetro is changing bus service in Austin next week. Here’s what riders need to know

Support democracy by supporting your local news!

Partner for Democracy

Empower voters and support democracy at your events!

🗣️ Request a speaker or voter registration table here.

Mark Your Calendar!

Highlighted League & community events

🚔 Jan 22 & 24: Austin Police Oversight - Know Your Rights public input meeting - in person

🎟️ Jan 20: Screening of Zurawski v Texas hosted by LWVAA and the AAUW.

🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Jan 25 - 27: Texas United Women in Faith and Texas Impact - United Women In Faith Texas Legislative Event 2026

🗳️ Jan 28: Lunch & Learn With LWV Wilco: Hand-Marked Ballots

💡 Feb 21: League 101 - information session for current and prospective members hosted by LWVAA

Key dates for the primary election

📬  Thu, Jan 1: First day to apply for a mail ballot
📝  Mon, Feb 2: Last day to register to vote
🗓️  Tue, Feb 17: Early voting
✉️ Fri, Feb 20: Last day to apply for a mail ballot (received, not postmarked)
✅  Fri, Feb 27: Last day of early voting
🗳️ Tue, Mar 3: Election Day!!!
📮  Tue, Mar 3: Mail ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. if not postmarked or by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, if postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day

💡 Learn more: The Primary Elections

Find More Volunteer Opportunities and Events on Our Calendar

Gift memberships to any League can now be purchased online! To purchase a gift membership, log into or create an account at portal.lwv.org and click the "Gift" link in the Grow Our Community box. You do not have to be a League member to purchase a gift membership.

Questions? Contact Joyce Jackson, Membership Chair, at jjackson@lwvaustin.org.

If you've read this far, it must be worth it.

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A Happy Ending.

Franklin at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC

#DogsforDemocracy. Franklin visits the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

Email photos of your pet supporting democracy to communications@lwvaustin.org.

Give to Support the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area

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.

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