A Front-Row Seat to What’s Happening in Olympia

The jam-packed stretch of daytime and evening opportunities to help you advocate for legislation critical to Washingtonians—also known as LWVWA’s Lobby Week—runs Jan. 26-29 this year.

Register here to make sure you’re able to participate in this front-row seat to what’s happening in Olympia this session.

Evenings will feature a collection of workshops for members, providing them with important details about League legislative priorities. Bills that “defend democracy” top the list, including the plight of local news. Other priorities include homelessness, behavioral health, the plight facing immigrants and citizens, climate change and the environment, waste diversion, forests, children’s issues, health and behavior health, early childhood and K-12 issues, and criminal justice. League members will be encouraged to weigh in throughout the session on the wide range of bills we support.

Daytime will be opportunities for members in local Leagues across the state to meet with their senators and representatives via Zoom—and advocate for specific bills.

“This is your power,” state League President Karen Crowley said of Lobby Week. “You can sway what happens. When 2,000 League members set in, that’s power.”

Crowley urged Lobby Week coordinators in each local League to set up meetings with respective senators and representatives and recruit fellow members to participate in discussions. She said the evening workshops will offer insights to help members feel more empowered in their conversations with lawmakers.

Local Leagues that don’t have coordinators for Lobby Week or those coordinators who would like additional coaching should check out this link to a series of guides and instructions.

Meanwhile, League leadership acknowledged workshops every evening and daytime meetings with two representatives and a senator make for a full week of activities. But as Crowley noted, leadership understands members have other relationships and responsibility and therefore should feel welcome to attend as they are able.

Evening sessions will run from 6:30-8:30 pm Monday through Thursday with a wrap-up from 6:30-7:30 pm Friday. Daytime meetings will be set by coordinators in each local League. A full agenda is available at the registration link.

Lobby Week is a free event, although attendees are asked to consider a contribution to support LWVWA's advocacy work. You can adjust the suggested donation of $15 to any amount from $0 on up.

More information about Lobby Week is available from Administrative Director Amy Peloff.

Register Today

For a solid summary of what happens in the Legislature every day during session, watch TVW's Legislative Review nightly at 8pm & 11pm.