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 | 🇺🇸 250 years in, the work continues 🇺🇸
This Fourth of July, we celebrate the promise of this country and the people who have worked to help realize that promise every step of the way.
Democracy has never been a finished project. It’s something we build, protect, and reshape together.
Loving this country means showing up for it. Standing up for rights. Making sure more voices are heard, not fewer.
The next chapter is ours to write.
Join the League of Women Voters in empowering voters and defending democracy, and share LWV's hashtags to help amplify our message nationwide: #UniteandRise, #UniteFor250, #OneNationManyVoices, #Our250, #TogetherWeRise, #WeAreAmerica, #IndependenceDay, and #July4th. | Three things to do to support democracy this week
- 📫 🇺🇸 🗳️ 🗣️ The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed new rules that would establish elements of national standards for absentee and mail-in ballots in federal elections. The proposed rules will create unnecessary barriers that prevent eligible voters from receiving and returning their mail-in and absentee ballots in time to be counted. A federal court declared key portions of President Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting to be unconstitutional. However, the court has not ruled on our case, LWVMA, et al., v. Trump, et al. This is your last chance to take action! Send the USPS your comments by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 2.
- 🗳️ 2026 is a big election year and now is the time to start planning to make sure every voter has an efficient and fair experience at the polls. Join LWV and Power the Polls on July 7 to recruit the election heroes we need to make sure our polls -- and our democracy -- are accessible to all. Visit LWV's Power the Polls web page to sign up to be a poll worker.
- ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 Learn more about to the League’s Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative to protect and preserve our democracy, and commit to help engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters by the midterm elections.
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🐾 July 1 is Manor's big day!🗳️
Join LWVAA and the Travis County Clerk's office for a free afternoon of fun and civic learning. Practice researching the candidates using special editions of our nonpartisan Voters Guide and our online guide, VOTE411. Vote for the candidate of your choice using real Travis County voting machines. For this very special election, the polls are open to everyone 8 years old and up!
And there's more: face painting, activities for kids, popcorn, Kona Ice, and a chance to take a picture with the candidates' cut-outs. First-time voter? Future voter? Polling-place veteran? Everyone is welcome!
🗓 Wednesday, July 1
⏰ 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
📍 Travis County Community Center at Manor, 600 W. Carrie Manor Street, 78653
| 🇺🇸 July 1: Celebrating online this 4th of July? Check out the National Constitution Center webinar on The American Idea at 250. | Share your volunteer time with the League!
- 🐾🗳️ Join the volunteer team behind Paws to the Polls, LWVAA's summer-long get-out-the-vote campaign! There are still a few volunteer spots available for our next event on Wednesday, July 1. Sign up for a spot here. This opportunity is open to everyone, so if you've ever wanted a closer look at what the League's all about, now's your chance!
- 🐾🪧 Can't make it on July 1? You can help us spread the word about Paws to the Polls by putting up a yard sign or two in your neighborhood, or by asking local businesses to post flyers or set out informational material. LWVAA has everything you need! The office will be open from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 2. Want to help but can't make it this week? Contact Joyce Jackson to set up a pick-up time.
- 🗳️ This summer, Volunteer Deputy Registrars (VDRs) will register voters at the Alamo Drafthouse, Open Canopy, the Central Public Library, and more. Want to help? Learn how to be a VDR here. For more information, contact voterservices@lwvaustin.org.
- 🗳️ Visit our calendar to sign up for a shift registering voters.
Volunteer with us!
| Texas Tribune
KUT/The Austin Current
| Join the Advocacy Team
✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 There are many ways to have your voice heard by elected officials and policymakers. Take action on League priorities today by joining the LWVAA Advocacy Team. Contact Jazmin Cuellar, Advocacy Director, at advocacy@lwvaustin.org.
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Community Impact:
🏘️Austin launches new affordable housing incentives for mixed-use construction and downtown towers by Ben Thompson
"City Council approved the new measures both in response to tensions over another mixed-use building program, and a 2025 state law that's impacted how Austin can incentivize affordable housing with new development....Certain building entitlements that the city had previously traded for public benefits, like low-income housing, were automatically permitted under Senate Bill 840. That change prompted a local response to ensure continued affordable housing additions."
🗳️ Austin audit measure secures place on ballot, months after officials' approval of separate efficiency review by Ben Thompson
"Austinites are likely to consider other charter amendments this fall in addition to the auditing proposal. Officials had forwarded a slate of potential amendments in 2024, but that vote was canceled due to errors made by city staff when calling the election. Those items could return to the ballot in November alongside other new proposals. Council members will decide on any additional charter measures this summer."
🗳️💰 If you love elections and voting, keep an eye on the City of Austin Campaign Finance Filing Requirements web page. Information will continually be updated as we approach the November 2026 election. The following offices will be on the 2026 ballot:
- District 1 - East Austin
- District 3 - East and South Austin
- District 5 - South Austin
- District 8 - Southwest Austin
- District 9 - Central
LWVUS:
| | Highlighted League & community events | July 7: National Constitution Center: 2026 Supreme Court Review
July 13: Votebeat: Will the Midterms Happen? Your Election Questions, Answered
July 17-19: The League of Women Voters is joining the Good Trouble Lives On: John Lewis Day of Action weekend, taking place July 17–19. This national moment of action honors Congressman John Lewis’s legacy by advancing civic participation and strengthening our democracy.
July 25: LWVAA: First Vote! Training (ACC Highland)
September 15: National Voter Registration Day - the League has been the number one recruiting partner: let’s keep that trend going! | If you've read this far, it must be worth it.
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| ⚡ I am energized after attending the LWVUS convention, joining more than 1,000 other members from all 50 states. The League is an amazing, member-driven organization. League delegates voted on and passed the LWVUS program "Defending Democracy Under Siege" (I'll be sharing more later). Together, we will empower voters and defend democracy. - Grace Chimene, LWVAA Communications Team Leader | | 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. | |