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. | The 2026 midterm elections are approaching...
...and we're getting to work! Every voter reached, every volunteer trained, and every dollar invested helps strengthen our democracy. Here's how you can make a difference:
💙 Join the League: Become part of a passionate community committed to empowering voters and defending democracy.
💛 Donate to LWVAA: Support nonpartisan voter education and outreach across Central Texas. |  |
  Paws to the Polls News
On August 8, Leagues across the country participated in Unite & Rise for Voting Rights, a nationwide day of civic action in honor of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. State and local Leagues and their partners led hundreds of activations across the country centered on increasing voter engagement, turnout, and education, with particular emphasis on young voters and community partnerships. As part of that action, our Paws to the Polls volunteers had a great day at the Dove Springs Back to School Bash. More than 400 people visited our voter information table and about 90 people cast their ballots for Pet Mayor of Austin.
LWVAA volunteers were back in action on August 12 at Central Health Southeast, and the event was a big hit! More than 120 people joined the fun, with 48 voters of all ages casting ballots for Franklin or Gus using Travis County's actual voting machines. Face painting, games, a rousing soundtrack, popcorn, Kona Ice, and information on how to vote like an informed rockstar made the joint initiative from the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area and the Travis County Clerk's office one of our best events this summer.
Election day for Pet Mayor of Austin is right around the corner, and the campaigns are heating up! Your last chance to vote will be at ACC's Highland Campus on September 22; the polls will the open from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Our polls show a virtual tie. If you want your candidate to win, you have to show up to vote in person! Learn more and RSVP here.
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League & community events this week
August 19:
LWVAA: Lead VDR training at 4:00 p.m. (RSVP) or 6:00 p.m. (RSVP) - Come learn what we need from VDR event leads. Help us put on as many VDR and GOTV events as possible between now and Election Day! |
LWVAA maintains an online event calendar for meetings, trainings, voter outreach, and registration opportunities.
| | LWVAA Speakers Bureau News
Speakers Bureau volunteers Kaitlyn Tran and Grace Chimene recently spoke to the Austin Founder Lions Club on the importance of voting, how to get a sample ballot, how to research the candidates, and how to make your voting plan. In the coming weeks, we'll be speaking to the Asian American Resource Center and Northwest Neighbors of Austin.
Is your neighborhood group or civic organization looking for a speaker this fall? Our volunteers are ready to help! Complete this form and a Speakers Bureau representative will be in touch.
And if you're looking for a way to volunteer with LWVAA, consider the Speakers Bureau. 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. | | |
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 Tuesday, August 18, 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 Highliand. Volunteer signups will be posted closer to the event date. |  | 🗳️ Get ready! Get set! Register voters!
August 17
First Vote! Kit Building & More (drop-in) - RSVP
First Vote! Planning & Data Entry - RSVP
August 19
Lead VDR Training, 4:00 p.m. - RSVP
Lead VDR Training, 6:00 p.m. - RSVP
August 21
🗓️ Find more voter registration opportunities on our calendar. Want to help? Contact the LWVAA Voters Service team.
Volunteer with us!
Email us to learn more about sharing your time and talents with LWVAA.
| City of Austin
💰 Read Austin Council approves tax hike, avoids deep social service cuts in $6.6B budget - by Sam Stark, Austin Current
Public Schools
🎒 Read Austin ISD faces a potential state takeover. Here's how that's played out in Houston - by Greta Díaz González Vázquez, KUT News
🏫 Read Why Is Texas Taking Over So Many School Districts? - Michael Hardy, Texas Monthly
Voting & Elections
🗳️ Read Does AI Fight or Fuel Election Disinformation? - The Brennan Center | Update: Austin Adopts a Budget
Read Austin adopts $6.6 billion budget, creates new emergency communication office - by Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT News
"The $6.6 billion budget includes more than $5 million in cutbacks to social service contracts, which are agreements the city makes with nonprofits and groups that serve people in need. But an unexpected $4.7 million in additional property tax revenue will allow the council to restore some of those contracts through one-time funding."
Read Austin adopts $6.6B budget and tax rate increase - by Ben Thompson, Austin Current
"Austin's FY 2026-27 tax rate was set at $0.579948 per $100 in property value, the maximum allowed under state law without seeking voter approval. After last year's failed tax rate election measure, Proposition Q, a council-approved policy keeps city officials from seeking another larger hike until at least 2029.
"The new rate will increase the typical annual property tax bill from less than $2,100 to about $2,250. That's based on the city's projected median valued home of $484,907, after Austin's 20% general homestead exemption for primary residences. Seniors and disabled residents are eligible for a further exemption.
"Other costs like utility bills and service charges will rise more than $170 combined next year, bringing the estimated impact of all city rates and fees to more than $6,000."
You can read the FY 2026-27 Service Prioritizations Report here.
Why is this important? These decisions can directly affect the services, programs and resources available to members of our community. Staying informed about funding helps community members understand local priorities so they can advocate for or against policies that matter most to them.
Join the Advocacy Team: Contact Jazmin Cuellar, Advocacy Director | Upcoming League & community events
August 27:
TWU Jane Nelson Institute: Collective Impact in Local Government - Register
August 29:
September 9:
National Constitution Center: The 1st Amendment & Artificial Intelligence - Register
September 17:
City Council District 5 Candidate Forum - RSVP
September 19:
LWVAA: Freedom of the Press in a Digital World - Register
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in September:
Help safeguard the November elections! 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.
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📢 Take Action!
Tell Congress to reject strict voter ID requirements. Americans do not need MORE obstacles to vote.
Tell Congress to oppose the SAVE Act suite of bills. The SAVE Act would create one more barrier to the voting process, as many eligible voters do not have easy access to the necessary documents.
In the news
Read League of Women Voters’ Nationwide “Unite & Rise for Voting Rights” Day of Action Galvanizes Communities Across the Country as It Commemorates the 61st Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Read Federal Court Blocks US Postal Service from Implementing Executive Order Restricting Mail Voting
Read On The One-Year Anniversary of the Trump Administration's Oppressive Actions in the District of Columbia, The League of Women Voters Renews Calls for Relief and Statehood
| Welcome Our Newest Members! | Susan Calland
Katie Campbell
Kat Cox
Gina Fant-Simon
Jane Fuchs
Michelle Gadush |
Morgan Hendrix
Debbie Hoch
Faith Kouadio
Shelly Lance
Karen Livingston
Tere OConnell |
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Linda Parker
Peggy Pleasant
Wendy Primeaux
Joyce Pulich
Sharron Rush
Kim Schaefer
Sarah West |
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| | 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. | |