By Alison McCaffree, Democracy Issue Chair, LWV of Washington

Sept. 2, 2026 was another busy day for the Washington Voting Justice Coalition↗️ (WVJC). Thirty-two people gathered for the second annual Democracy Summit including leaders from the LWVWA: Amy Peloff (Executive Director), Marty Gibbons (Advocacy Portfolio Chair), and Alison McCaffree (Democracy Issue Chair). This day is set aside to discuss ways to protect and enhance democratic systems in Washington state. A hot topic this year was the protection of Washington’s Vote by Mail system and ensuring that all voters who turn in ballots on time get counted.

“We believe our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard and every vote is counted.” — WVJC motto. 

Since 2017, the coalition has been advocating for legislative change with the following goals:

• Build a culture of self-determination and civic engagement
  
  
• Promote access and equity for every Washingtonian
  
  
• Set the highest standard for effective, equitable, and participatory democracy

The LWVWA has been a member since WVJC’s founding. Alison McCaffree, LWVWA Democracy Issue Chair serves as a liaison to the coalition. The LWVWA alongside 78 other organizations in the coalition have advocated and succeeding in:

• Passing and improving the Washington Voting Rights Act (2018) (2021)
  
  
• Creating and enhancing Automatic Voter Registration (2018) (2026)
  
  
• Restoring voting rights to individuals with past felony convictions while under supervision (2021)

The coalition regularly hosts statewide listening sessions to hear directly from residents — particularly those in historically marginalized groups — regarding their views on the electoral system. This year’s listening session focused on redistricting commission reform, democracy vouchers, getting corporate money out of campaigns and a fulltime legislature. 

“The LWVWA is more successful because we work in coalition. Each organization has its own network and its own strength. By working together, we reach more people and influence more elected officials, and pass more positive voting rights legislation,” says Alison McCaffree. 

For more information about WVJC and the LWVWA's work on democracy reform, please contact Alison McCaffree , 253-720-6813.