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With the 89th Legislative Session underway and our advocacy efforts on the League of Women Voters of Texas’ (LWVTX) priority issues in full motion, I’ve noticed increased rhetoric challenging our nonpartisan stance. I want to take a moment to address this directly and reaffirm what nonpartisanship truly means for our organization.
Nonpartisan ≠ Neutral
Nonpartisanship has always been a core value of the League, but it does not mean neutrality. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate ever. However, we take principled, evidence-based positions on policies that affect democracy and the well-being of all Texans. These long-standing positions result from gathering facts and weighing pros and cons to build consensus representing our members' understanding and agreement of the issue. They guide our advocacy at the Capitol and inform how we hold elected officials accountable—regardless of party affiliation.
Case in Point: SB 16 / HB 5337
Take SB 16 /HB 5337 as an example. This bill package would impose significant new burdens on local election officials—without providing the necessary funding—and would disproportionately burden certain groups of voters, including married women, older adults, people with disabilities, newly naturalized citizens, and incarcerated individuals.
This bill claims to address something that rarely happens but is highly politicalized. Because the consequences would be widespread, undermining access for many eligible voters and because the right to vote with free and fair access to the polls is a foundational principle of the League, LWVTX strongly opposes this legislation. It’s unnecessary—our current system already works and it is critical to our mission that we say so.
Unite & Rise 8.5: Our Call to Action
On April 17, 2025, Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, and Dianna Wynn, president of the League of Women Voters, took the serious step of labelling our current moment a constitutional crisis. On May 1st, the League of Women Voters launched a powerful new initiative, Unite and Rise 8.5, which aims to engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters through advocacy, civic education, and community engagement.
As we advance our work under the Unite and Rise 8.5banner, let us remember: advocacy and nonpartisanship are not at odds—they are partners. We rise together to hold power accountable, expand access to the ballot, and challenge policies that harm underrepresented communities, no matter which party is in control.
Thank you for supporting us in this vital, values-driven work. When we unite around our shared principles, we rise above the noise and create lasting change.
With gratitude,
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