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!
| Empowering Voters.
Defending Democracy. |  | Celebrate Women's Equality Day by getting involved!
Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on August 26, the anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, an action that guaranteed women the constitutional right to vote.
As our democracy faces new challenges, this is a time for women, and the men who support them, to stand together once again. Women have played vital roles in pro-democracy movements for generations. Today, our commitment to nonpartisanship gives us an opportunity to rise above divisive political rhetoric and focus on the democratic principles that unite us -- from conversations in our local communities to decisions made in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.
It has been 250 years since the Declaration was signed, forming a brand-new democracy, and 238 years since our Constitution was ratified. Currently, our democracy faces serious threats as actions at the federal level continue to challenge democratic norms, institutions, and safeguards. The League of Women Voters has always spoken out when democracy is threatened, and our League continues its 106-year mission to empower voters and defend democratic principles. Calling out threats to our democracy is not partisan -- it is part of our mission.
Each of you joined LWVAA for a reason. Right now, I’m asking you to reconnect with that reason and act in one of two ways.
✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 One way is to get involved -- by helping seniors understand mail-in ballot rules, by registering and educating voters, or by engaging high school and college students. You can observe local government meetings online or join us for What’s on Your Ballot discussions. Visit our website, check the Weekly VOTER, or email us to discover ways to get involved.
💰 Another way is to support our work by donating to LWVAA.
We need your active participation. Whether you can give 1 minute or 100 minutes, $1 or $100, every contribution matters.
Which will you choose to help protect our democracy: your time, your treasure -- or both?
Carol Eckelkamp, President, League of Women Voters of the Austin Area
| Three things (plus a bonus!) to do for democracy this week
- Attend an Elections Worker Job Fair hosted by the Travis County Clerk Elections team and learn how you can help make the November 3 election run smoothly!
- Learn about the City of Austin 2026 bond election. Read about the development of the bond program here. See what's in the bond measures here.
- Engage (or re-engage) with LWVAA. Attend League 101 this Saturday.
- Bonus! To commemorate Women's Equality Day, take a tour -- in person or online -- of suffragists' gravesites in Austin's municipal cemeteries.
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League & community events this week
August 26:
LWVUS (online): Building Our DEI Transformation Pillars Learning Community - Register
August 27:
TWU Jane Nelson Institute (online): Leading Together: Collective Impact in Local Government - Register
August 29:
New to the League? Curious about just what it is we do? A long-time member ready to reconnect? Then join us for League 101! You'll learn a bit about the history of the League of Women Voters and about how the Austin Area League is organized, and you'll meet other new and prospective members and hear from veteran League volunteers about how you might use your time and talents with us.
LBJ Women's Campaign School is a nonpartisan training program for leaders who plan to run for office or manage a political campaign. The program will begin on January 16, 2027, with the intention of training potential candidates and campaign staff for the elections of 2027, 2028, and 2029. Apply here by September 30.
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LWVAA maintains an online event calendar for meetings, trainings, voter outreach, and registration opportunities.
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Help us spread the word about Paws to the Polls
🐾🪧 Put up a yard sign or two in your neighborhood or ask local businesses to post flyers. LWVAA has everything you need! Swing by our office any time between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, and we'll fix you up! Find more information here.
Want to help but can't make it during drop-in hours? Contact Joyce Jackson to arrange a pick-up time.
Volunteer at the next Paws to the Polls
🐾 Your next and final chance to volunteer for Paws to the Polls will be on September 22 at ACC Highland. Volunteer signups will be posted closer to the event date.
LWVAA Speakers Bureau News
🗣️If you're looking for a way to volunteer with LWVAA, consider the Speakers Bureau. Don't let the name fool you: it's not just for speakers! Do you like to do research? Can you create engaging presentations? Can you help train speakers? Then we need you! Email our Speakers Bureau coordinator Barbara Martin to learn more.
And if an organization you know is looking for someone to speak about the upcoming election, complete this form.
Help safeguard the November elections!
🗳️ Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in September. The League of Women Voters, a proud member of the Election Protection coalition, encourages volunteers to sign up for poll monitor training led by Common Cause. The Election Protection program and its volunteers make sure eligible voters know how to cast their ballots and ensure they are counted. All poll monitor volunteers must attend one training session. Sign up for a session here. |  | 🗳️ Let's register some voters!
August 28
August 29
September 4
September 5
September 11
🗓️ Keep checking our calendar for voter registration events. Want to help? Email our Voters Service team.
Volunteer with us!
Email us to learn more about sharing your time and talents with LWVAA. | Public schools
🏫 Read Austin ISD earns 'B' rating, two schools trigger state intervention - Jessica Mclaren, Community Impact
🚌 Read Austin ISD opens school amid takeover threat, bus changes and lingering uncertainty - Acacia Coronado & Andrea Ball, Austin Current
💰 Read The takeover tab: State-imposed superintendent buyouts cost school districts big bucks - Josephine Lee, Texas Observer
Energy & the environment
⚡ Read Austin races to regulate AI data centers before they strain city’s water and power - Sam Stark, Austin Current
🏗️ Read Austin-area residents are pushing for data center bans. State leaders are divided on what to do next - Kailey Hunt, Katy McAfee, Leigh Walden, KUT News
💵 Read Who pays for the high-powered grid that data centers need? - Mezabahnur Masum, Texas Observer
Voting & Elections
🗳️ Read Vote safely in 2026 - Brennan Center for Justice | Did you know?
You can serve your community directly and help shape public policy. By joining one of the City of Austin's boards or commissions, you'll have a chance provide a more diverse viewpoint to City Councilmembers on a variety of issues. Learn more and apply here.
Read Meet Austin’s city council candidates for the November election - Abigail Jones, KXAN News
"There are 10 council districts in Austin. Council members serve four-year terms. Every two years, half of the council seats are up for election. The following council districts will be on the November 3, 2026, ballot: District 1, District 3, District 5, District 8, and District 9. The deadline for candidate filing in the November election was Monday, August 17, at 5 p.m."
Join the Advocacy Team: Contact Jazmin Cuellar, Advocacy Director | Upcoming League & community events
September 9:
National Constitution Center: The 1st Amendment & Artificial Intelligence - Register
September 16
LWV of Roselle-Bloomingdale: Health Care Affordability Crisis: Reforms We Needed Yesterday - Register
September 17:
City Council District 5 Candidate Forum - RSVP
September 19:
LWVAA: Freedom of the Press in a Digital World - Register
September 21:
City Council District 8 Candidate Forum - RSVP
September 22:
LWVAA: Paws to the Polls at ACC Highland - RSVP
September 24:
Austin Equity and Inclusion: Know Your Rights - Refugees' Rights - Join webinar
September 29:
City Council District 9 Candidate Forum - RSVP
| 📢 Take Action!
The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve is the world’s largest protected dark sky reserve on Earth, at more than 9 million acres. It’s bigger than Yellowstone, Denali and Glacier Bay combined. Public land is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a statutory responsibility to manage and conserve Texas natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Urge Governor Greg Abbott and state officials to oppose border barrier construction on TPWD-managed lands in the Big Bend area and to use every legal and procedural tool available to protect this public trust.
| 📢 Take Action!
Read What the SAVE Act means as the 2026 midterms approach
"For voters, the coming weeks are especially important. The November election is approaching, and if Congress manages to pass any version of the SAVE Act before then, voter registration and how voters cast a ballot could change dramatically, with very little time for voters and election administrators to adjust."
| If you've read this far, it must be worth it.
Share the LWVAA Weekly VOTER with your friends!
| Franklin faces scrutiny after free treats raise questions about campaign ethics
A series of campaign stops featuring complimentary dog biscuits has sparked accusations of vote buying, with critics claiming Franklin can be bought by snacks. Campaign officials reject the allegations, calling the biscuits a simple gesture of appreciation and insisting Austin's pets are perfectly capable of making up their own minds. Vote in person at the next Paws to the Polls event! | | 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. | |