November 2023 Action News! | President's Message
Dear ~~first_name~~,
You still have time to vote early! Early Voting continues through Friday, Nov. 3rd, and Election day is next Tuesday, November 7th. You and other Texas voters will decide on 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Each proposed amendment has a potential impact on the every day lives of Texans.
Share all of the League’s voter resources!
Even if you have already voted, your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives may need information about where to vote and what's on the ballot. Turnout is traditionally very low for these elections – fewer than 9% in 2021 – so every vote counts! Here are some excellent resources to share:
- LWV's online, interactive voting guide, VOTE411.org! Visit VOTE411.org to learn more about each proposed amendment, as well as information about your polling location, early voting options, ID requirements, registering to vote, and more!
- PDF versions of our nonpartisan Voters Guide in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simple Chinese, which you can find on our website here.
- LWV Texas “Explainer Videos” with pros and cons for each of the proposed amendments and can be found on our YouTube channel here, or you may click on any of the links to the individual videos below. Thank you to Grace Chimene, along with our Voters Education committee and the student volunteers for doing such a great job on these videos!
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Thank you for empowering voters and defending democracy!
P.S. Don't forget to give a big thanks to all your hard working and dedicated election officials and poll workers! They make the elections work in Texas!
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The League of Women Voters of Texas is working tirelessly to advocate for all Texans this election season and beyond. Make a donation today, and support our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy!
Donate Today!
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88th Legislative Advocacy Update
Elisabeth MacNamara, LWVTX Vice President Advocacy
The third special session of the Texas Legislature ends November 7th. The Governor has been meeting with House leadership to break the impasse on his educational savings accounts bill, SB 1. There may be a committee substitute or a new bill that would increase public school funding while creating universal educational savings accounts. The question is whether there is sufficient time remaining to pass any such legislation and, importantly, whether there are sufficient votes to do so.
In addition to the Action Alert that went out last week, we are encouraging members to stay in touch with their own representatives to oppose any proposed compromise legislation. The talking points in our Educational Savings Accounts Toolkit are relevant to whatever legislation is proposed.
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LWV Texas Comments to ATF
On Nov. 1st, 2023, the League of Women Voters of Texas submitted comments to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in support of a new rule that would close some loopholes in Federal Firearm background checks. Read the comments here.
LWV Texas supports violence prevention programs in communities, protecting the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of handguns and semi-automatic weapons, and regulation of firearms for consumer safety.
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LWV Texas Voters Guide a Success!
While the League printed more Voters Guides than ever before, we are still receiving requests for printed Guides!!! Demand for unbiased, nonpartisan, and clear information about the proposed amendments is high!
We encourage voters to go to LWVTexas.org to find a printable PDF version of the Voters Guide in multiple languages as well as explainer videos with pros and cons on each of the proposed amendments. Also, VOTE411.org, our interactive, online version of the Voters Guide, covers all 14 proposed amendments, and, if there is a local League in the area, local races or propositions.
The LWV Texas Board of Directors and staff want to thank everyone who helped create and distribute our unbiased, plain-language Voters Guide for this upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election! We especially want to thank our generous Gold and Silver Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
We encourage all Texas voters to educate themselves, and GO VOTE!
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Public Funds Should Stay in Public Schools!
The Governor and House Leadership are stalemated on educational savings accounts. It is important that House members continue to oppose educational savings and support increased school funding. Use our Action Center to write a letter to your legislators and ask them to oppose vouchers.
Take Action!
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John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
The US House of Representatives re-introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This essential legislation would restore the Voting Rights Act to its full power.
"Our freedom to vote is under attack," said LWV CEO Virginia Kase Solomón in response to the news. "It is the obligation of this new generation of lawmakers to respond to the call of the majority of Americans who support new legislation to protect the vote.
Stop voter discrimination and support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act here!
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The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
More than 100 years after some women gained the right to vote, people in the United States are still not constitutionally guaranteed equality on the basis of sex. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) will update the US Constitution to protect the equality of rights under the law regardless of sex. The ERA has met all ratification requirements, and now we are urging Congress to act to ensure that the ERA is published.
Tell Congress that equality belongs in the Constitution here!
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Other LWVUS Action Alerts:
- Urge Congress to expand the right to vote here!
- Demand bipartisan cooperation on voting rights here!
- Reduce the influence of dark money by promoting the DISCLOSE Act here!
- Urge Congress to address the climate crisis and protect our youth here!
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LWV Fort Bend
Photo credit: League of Women Voters of Fort Bend Facebook page. LWV Fort Bend registered voters and talked about the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election, the 2024 Primary and General Elections, and VOTE411 at the Katy Pride Festival! Read more here.
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LWV Tarrant County
Photo credit: League of Women Voters - Tarrant County Facebook page. Pictured are Chris Cobler, CEO of the Fort Worth Report, and student presenters who read the proposed amendments at "Decoding the Constitutional Amendments" a joint presentation by LWV Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Report. Read more here.
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LWV Williamson County
Photo credit: League of Women Voters Williamson County Facebook page. LWV Williamson County VDRs were on seven sites (seven seas in pirate speak?) throughout the county on National Talk Like A Pirate Day, where they registered 60 new voters and gave out 17 mail in applications. Read more here.
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LWV South Central Texas
Photo credit: League of Women Voters of South Central Texas Facebook page. Members of LWV South Central Texas volunteered at their quarterly trash pick up on Hwy 90 west of Schulenburg. Keep Texas Beautiful! Read more here.
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LWV El Paso
Photo credit: League of Women Voters of El Paso Facebook page. Members of LWV El Paso were grateful for the donations they received on El Paso Giving Day to support their work to register, educate, and engage voters. Read more here.
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LWV Amarillo
Photo credit: Amarillo League of Women Voters Facebook page. LWV Amarillo has been presenting a Civics 101 training at the North Branch Library. They've hosted three sessions so far, and it has been quite a success! Read more here.
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League of Women Voters of Texas
1212 Guadalupe St. #107
Austin Texas, 78701
(512) 472-1100
lwvtexas@lwvtexas.org
lwvtexas.org
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