Date: 5/11/2026
Subject: The Weekly VOTER, May 11, 2026 - LWV of the Austin Area
From: LWV of the Austin Area

May 11, 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!

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Empowering Voters

Support democracy. Vote in the Primary Runoff Election

🗳️ Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to vote in the Texas Primary Runoff Election.

Friday May 15 - Last day application for a Ballot by Mail must be received by county

Monday, May 18 - Friday, May 22- Early voting

Tuesday, May 26 - Election Day & last day Ballot by Mail must be received by county

Learn about the election

Voting by mail?

Ask the post office to manually postmark the envelope if you are mailing your ballot close to Election Day.

🗳️ Your Ballot by Mail must be received by the Travis County Election office

By Tuesday, May 26 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if the carrier envelope is not postmarked. The voter must hand-deliver the ballot and be prepared to show a photo ID.

By Wednesday, May 27 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if the carrier envelope is postmarked no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Learn more at lwvaustin.org/Vote-By-Mail

Join us in person or on Zoom at the 2026 Annual Meeting!

The Annual Meeting is the time for League members to reflect on and celebrate our work over the past year and to chart our course for the year ahead. Hear the President's annual report, review and adopt the 2026 - 2027 proposed budget, recognize outgoing board members, and welcome new leadership. Light refreshments will be provided.

Members: If you can't make it in person, you can attend online. Email lwvaustin@lwvaustin.org for a Zoom link.

There are three ways to register:

Log in to the LWVAA website, then use the "Register Now" link below
Email lwvaustin@lwvaustin.org
Call (512) 451-6710

We look forward to seeing you on May 16!

Find an Event

Highlighted LWVAA & Community Events

May 16:

✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 LWVAA 2026 Annual Meeting Celebrate our work over the past year, and chart our course for the year ahead (members: log in to register)

📚 Greater Austin Book Festival 2026 GAB Fest brings together authors, illustrators, and readers from all over Central Texas to establish meaningful connections and to engage with their community. Meet the participating authors, get your books signed, explore the Central Library, and enjoy a full day of panels, workshops, and programs.

Volunteer

🗳️ Volunteer to empower with First Vote!

We have four opportunities to register high school seniors beginning on May 19. They are all in Pflugerville ISD, so it is great if you prefer events in the north or northeast area. This will be our last visit of the school year in Pflugerville ISD and in the past we registered many students in similar events.

Coming soon: If you live south, look for an opportunity to register voters at Bowie HS on May 26. We'll also need volunteers to register voters during AISD Grad Week.

🎓 May 19: First Vote! Hendrickson HS

We will be registering seniors before/after their graduation rehearsal.

Select a shift here.

🎓 May 20: First Vote! Weiss HS

Will be registering seniors during senior check out.

Select a shift here.

🎓 May 20 & 21: First Vote! Pflugerville HS

We will be registering seniors before/after their graduation rehearsal.

Select a shift here.

🎓 May 21: First Vote! Connally HS

We will be registering seniors during their senior breakfast.

Select a shift here.

Let's register some new voters!

For more information, email firstvote@lwvaustin.org

Find More Events & Volunteer Opportunities

Partner with the League

26.04 Seniors With A Goal (SWAG) sponsored by the Links

LWVAA volunteers register voters and share nonpartisan voter education at a Seniors With A Goal (SWAG) event sponsored by The Links at Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center.

Schedule a speaker or voter registration at your group's next meeting! Request Speaker/Table

Democracy in the News

Community Impact:

🏞️ Travis County announces $17M child care expansion, museum district, 1300-acre park at county address By Chloe Young

🎒 🚌 Austin ISD officials share update on budget process, proposed cuts By Elle Bent

Texas Tribune:

🗳️ Voting Rights Act ruling could change representation on city councils, school boards across Texas The 1965 federal law helped Latino and Black voters gain representation in city and school boards across Texas but now that could change. By Natalia Contreras.

🗳️ Listen: TribCast: The past and future of the Voting Rights Act in Texas

⚖️ Civil rights groups sue to stop Texas immigration law Senate Bill 4, scheduled to take effect next week, lets Texas police arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. By Alejandro Serrano.

💰 By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas cities The governor’s threats have produced quick wins on hot-button issues important to the GOP base – immigration and perceived threats posed by Islam. By Alex Nguyen.

Mark Your Calendar!

Highlighted League & community events

🎓 Throughout May: Say "Hi" to LWVAA volunteers as they register voters at graduation ceremonies across Central Texas. Join us in celebrating student successes and accomplishments.
🍿🎬 May 22: STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! Austin Film Society. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! follows Amy Goodman’s three decades-long career holding the powerful to account and crafts a riveting portrait of journalism’s power -- and peril -- in an era of corporate control of the news and growing political attacks on democracy and freedom of press. Check out the film’s trailer here.

Find More Events & Volunteer Opportunities

Advocacy

Learn more & take action locally

Make an impact by donating your time and expertise as a city commissioner! Boards and commissions serve as bridges between the community and City Council, and often guide policy decisions and initiatives. Consider the Ethics Review Commission, Electric Board, and the Downtown Commission. Learn more and apply here .

Find more opportunities to provide feedback on issues important to your community at the link below.

Speak Up Austin

LWVUS

✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 Take Action:Tell Congress No More ICE and CBP Funding

Blog: State-Level Documentary Proof of Citizenship Laws Threaten Voters Across the country, state lawmakers are introducing bills that would require documentary proof of citizenship, or DPOC, to register to vote or request a ballot. These proposals would force voters to provide physical documents, such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers, before registering. These requirements are attempting to solve a problem that doesn’t exist while creating real barriers for eligible voters.

Keep up with National LWV Actions!

Go to LWV.org to empower voters and defend democracy nationally.

LWVUS Newsroom LWVUS Blog Take Action With LWV

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Just one more thing.

Franklin researches his ballot with the League's nonpartisan Voters Guide.

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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