P.S. The League of Women Voters of Texas is working tirelessly to advocate for all Texans this legislative session and beyond. Donate today to support our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy!

Will you stand up for our democracy? We invite you to join us on March 4th at the Texas Capitol to shine a Light for Our Democracy.

When: Tuesday, March 4th, 7:30pm CST (central time)

Where: South side of the Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Democracy is not just a system of government—it’s the power of the people. It begins with us, our voices, and our votes. At a time when democracy is under threat, we're asking you to join us in coming together to defend it. Instead of tuning in to the President's address to Congress, people across the country will gather with others in their community for a time of reflection, action, and solidarity.

For a list of Texas and nationwide Light for Our Democracy events, click here.Other events may also be happening on March 4th, which you can find on the 50501 Movement's calendar here. Additionally, the LWVUS event in D.C. will be livestreamed, and our local League in Houston will be hosting an online event.

Let's mobilize and make a strong showing for democracy on March 4th!

Reject Anti-Voter Policies

The House and Senate introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require citizenship documentation to register to vote even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering.

Tell your members of Congress to oppose the SAVE Act.

Urge Congress to Stand Up for Democracy

The President has issued a series of executive orders and directed actions that violate the law and Congress’ power. Congress must act now to restore the stability of our nation before it’s too late.

Urge your members of Congress to stand up for our democracy.

By Elisabeth MacNamara, LWVTX Vice President of Advocacy

The League offered testimony in support of SB 62, a bill that would not only allow parents to bring their children to the polls, but would also allow children under the age of 14 to mark the ballot at the direction of their parents.

The League registered its opposition to SB 706, which would make reciprocity for out-of-state holders of handgun licenses. The implications, if the bill passes, are:

• Expanded Recognition: Texas will now recognize all out-of-state handgun licenses without requiring a reciprocity agreement or verification of background checks.
• Potential Loopholes: The bill removes safeguards ensuring that license holders from other states have undergone FBI-level background checks, which may allow individuals from states with laxer gun licensing laws to carry handguns in Texas.
• Simplification of Process: This bill streamlines the process by eliminating bureaucratic steps, making it easier for out-of-state handgun carriers to be legally recognized in Texas.
• Possible Impact on Public Safety: Critics may argue that removing background check verification could increase the risk of allowing individuals with criminal histories to carry handguns in Texas.

League Lobby Days were a great success! League members were highly visible in purple t-shirts as more than 120 members visited their legislators’ offices. We had good conversations on our priority issues: Voting Rights and Election Law, Financing Public Education, Women’s Healthcare and Reproductive Rights, and Water Infrastructure, as well as gun safety and child welfare issues.

During Lobby Days on Feb. 25th, a resolution celebrating the League of Women Voters of Collin County's 50th anniversary was introduced on the Texas House floor, but not without controversy. In a departure from the usual courtesy extended to such resolutions, a freshman representative from Tarrant County called for a vote on the measure, citing concerns that the League is a "woke" organization.

Despite this unexpected challenge, the resolution overwhelmingly passed, affirming LWVCC's half-century of dedicated service to voter education and civic engagement. However, it's worth noting that 29 members of the House chose not to support the measure, which aimed to congratulate LWVCC for its 50 years of voter service, including voter registration drives, providing voter information, and organizing candidate forums.

Even though Lobby Days is over, you can still download and use our Lobby Days Toolkit to advocate for our priority issues.

Our Making Democracy Work® Dinner was held on Monday, February 24th,2025at the Central Branch of the Austin Public Library, and it was sold out! We appreciate everyone who came out to support the League and stand up for democracy.

We would especially like to thank our keynote speaker, Texas Secretary of State, Jane Nelson, for her words of wisdom, as well as our honorees NALEO Educational Fund, Texas NAACP State Conference, and Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) for their hard work in defending democracy in Texas.

LWV Galveston registered voters and handed out info for the upcoming May 3rd election at College of the Mainland on Feb. 5th. It was a makeup day for the Annual MLK Day celebration, initially scheduled in January. The theme for the event was a "Day In Service." Pictured are Vesta Joan Burns, Voter Services Chair, and Corlie Jackson, President. Read more here.

LWV Amarillo was honored to present Potter County Election Administrator Christy Benge and Daniel Reyna with a certificate of excellence from LWV Texas at the Potter County Commissioners meeting. In the LWV Texas county election website review for the last election, Potter County was rated as the second best county election website in the state! Read more here.

LWV Dallas attended LWVTX Lobby Days at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 24th and 25th. Read more here.

LWV Austin Area loves registering new voters at naturalization ceremonies! Read more here.

LWV Denton had a great turnout at their advocacy forum with LWVTX VP of Advocacy, Elizabeth McNamara on Feb. 15th. Read more here.

LWV San Antonio conducted a voting training with the Delta Gems, which included a session on the practice voting machine. Read more here.

March is Women's History Month! The League stands on the shoulders of giants – courageous women who fought tirelessly for our right to vote and to have a voice in shaping our democracy. From the suffragists of the early 20th century to the modern-day advocates for equality and justice, we honor their legacy by continuing their important work.

This month, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the progress we've made and the challenges that still lie ahead. Whether it's through participating in our voter education initiatives, advocating for our priority issues, or supporting our efforts to combat voter suppression, each of us has a role to play in building a more inclusive and equitable Texas. Let's use this Women's History Month as a springboard for action, inspiring future generations to carry the torch of civic engagement and democratic participation even further!

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