There's a lot in the news about how many days until the election on November 5. The presidential election is likely to bring out first time and irregular voters. This is a chance to capitalize on this interest and bring these voters into the electorate as permanent voters—and their kids too.

Here are some ways the LWVWA is working to empower voters:

VOTE411 is a major tool for helping overwhelmed voters sort through candidates and ballot measures. When voters sign in with their address, they see who will be on their ballot. This helps voters focus on candidates. And the online personalized voter guide is well-adapted to young voters who use their phones for so much.

Statewide debates. 2024 is the year all statewide offices are up for election. The state League is working with local Leagues to hold debates on selected races. Voters can view three primary forums on the state League website: Superintendent of Public Instruction; Attorney General; and Commissioner for Public Lands. Shelley Kneip, Debates Coordinator, is working with local Leagues on general election debates in September and October. They include:

• Commissioner of Public Lands with LWV of Benton/Franklin
• Superintendent of Public Instruction and Senate with LWV of Seattle/King County
• Insurance Commissioner and Secretary of State with LWV of Snohomish County

This makes for a lot of balls in the air as we work to confirm candidate participation, a venue and a moderator—then get the word out! Both candidates must participate; an empty-chair debate won't work. Both candidates must agree to participate. If that doesn't happen, we will have to cancel. Fingers crossed. Keep an eye on the LWVWA website for time and location. The debates will be available for streaming through election day.

Simplified ballot summaries are also coming. These one and half pagers summarize key points and pro/con arguments for each of the four initiatives that will be on the November ballot: Initiatives 2109 regarding capital gains taxes,  2117 regarding the state's carbon market, 2124 regarding long term care insurance, and 2066 regarding state regulations on natural gas.

The Voter Services Committee continues to educate its members on election laws and tips for engaging with voters in their communities. And there is a lot of work being done in local League communities! Contact Beth Pellicciotti at bpellicciotti@lwvwa.org to learn more.

Many Leagues are gearing up for National Voter Registration Day, September 17:

• Benton/Franklin is working with Seattle Children's Tri-Cities Clinic and the Tri-Cities branch of Washington State University. It's voter registration week for Benton/Franklin League!
• Clallam County will register voters at Goodwill stores in Sequim and Port Angeles.
• Clark County is cosponsoring an all-day voter registration event with the Associated Students of Washington State University at Vancouver.
  
• Kitsap County will register voters on the ferry and at forums cosponsored with the Silverdale Library.
• Seattle/King County is working with other local Leagues to register voters for the Seattle Children's Hospital. They will be at other events at local libraries and colleges as well as six transitional housing sites for women.
  
• Snohomish County is working with Common Power to hold events in eleven Goodwill stores throughout the five-county region of Evergreen Goodwill, with local Leagues in these areas joining in.
  
• Thurston County is working with other local Leagues to be at Seattle Children's in Olympia on September 16. They will be in classrooms on the 17th.
• Skagit County will be working at Goodwill locations to register voters on September 17. They are also working with libraries and Skagit Valley College to focus more on voter resources and education.
  

Wow. That's a lot! Many thanks to everyone working so hard to make sure every eligible voter is ready to cast an informed ballot by November 5.

 Best regards,

Mary Coltrane, LWVWA President