As state lawmakers prepare to descend on Olympia for the 2026 session, Snohomish County League President Lisa Utter reminds the public in an op-ed that appeared in Wednesday's Everett Herald that locally elected officials also need to hear from their constituents. 

Whether you agree or disagree with how things are going, taking a few minutes to let them know what you think will likely feel good.  

And it will mean you're taking part in civic action, Utter writes.

Local Officials Represent You; Let Them Know What You Think
A look at local officials, their responsibilities and how you can reach them

By Lisa Utter, President, LWV of Snohomish County

League of Women Voters of Snohomish County Did you know that your local elected officials need to hear from you? Whether you agree or disagree with how things are going, taking a few minutes to let them know is beneficial for a number of reasons: 

You’re engaging in your community!

You’re taking part in civic action.

Your elected officials need to know what their constituents believe (good or bad). A constituent is someone who belongs to the community they have been elected to represent. You are a constituent even if you are not a voter.
Even if it’s someone you voted for who shares similar values, they need to hear that you support them.

It feels good to get involved.

Who are your elected officials?

Think of this as a tree, branching out from you - the citizen. It starts with your neighborhood, then your city, then your county, then the state, then the country.

Depending on your concern, you need to find the right person to contact. A street light that’s burned out is a different matter than an upcoming ballot initiative that may affect your family.

Here are some examples: 

• City Council - Cities make decisions about most services within their boundaries. Think speed bumps, traffic cameras, lights in parks, service levels and accountability for police, planning, parks, roads, etc.
  
  
• County Council - County officials make decisions that affect unincorporated areas as well as some decisions that affect everyone in the county. We all live in a county, even those who live in cities. The county makes decisions about the sheriff’s office, the jail, Paine Field Airport, transportation, etc.
  
  
• Charter Review Commission - Every ten years the Commission reviews the County Charter, which serves as the governing document of the County. Last month, 15 citizens were elected to hold public meetings, and decide on possible changes to the Charter. Items that are often considered include: which offices should be elected such as Sheriff, redistricting for County Council seats, how appointments are made and confirmed.
  
  
• Fire and Hospital Districts - The governing boards of fire and hospital districts make decisions about levels of service and contracts with firefighters or hospital workers.School District Boards - These boards approve curriculum, make decisions about school construction or remodeling, and district lines. School boards affect everyone in their district, even those who do not have children, because their decisions impact the next generation and the way our collective taxes are spent.
  
  
• Other Junior Taxing District Boards - Washington is unique in having many other specialty taxing districts - Conservation District, Sno-Isle Regional Library, Parks and Recreation Districts, Ports, Transit Districts and others. Some members of these boards are appointed and some are elected, but they all serve you in one way or another.
  
  
• State Legislators - Your state legislators represent your legislative district at the state level. You have two representatives and one senator assigned to the district you live in. Your legislators influence Washington state laws, taxes, or concerns.
  
  
• U.S. Legislators - These are the congresspeople who represent you in Washington D.C. on federal matters. You have one representative and two senators for your congressional district.

How to contact your local elected officials
Once you know what level of government you need to reach, you can find their information on the League of Women Voters of Snohomish’s Voter Toolkit at www.lwvsnoho.org.

When drafting your message, you should use a professional greeting, then state the concern or positive feedback. If you have a specific bill or ordinance number, be sure to reference it. Include the impact your concern has on you. Make it personal! Close with your full name, address, and contact information. If you reach out to your elected official via their website, you may be asked to use a pre-defined form and you might even be asked if you’d like a reply.

Your elected officials are there to represent ALL of the people. Everyone has a voice, and they want to hear from you. In fact, we have heard from many officials that they weren’t aware of an issue until multiple people shared their experiences.

If you need help, the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County may be able to direct you to the right place. You can contact us at info@lwvsnoho.org. We also have a brochure titled “Your Voice Matters” in our Civil Discourse section of our website.

By Dee Anne Finken, Communications Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington

The Legislative session kicks off Jan. 12 with lots of work to do—and in only 60 days.

Money—including the lack of it—is certainly top of mind for lawmakers and others preparing for the second half of the 2025-2026 biennium.

With the state’s most recent revenue forecast weaker than anticipated, and the reduction of federal funding, competition will be stiff for any proposals that cost money, said Cynthia Stewart, LWVWA Advocacy chair. In fact, legislative leadership has announced that no bills with a fiscal impact will be considered.

Earlier in December, prior to publication of this newsletter, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that his budget proposal, expected mid-month, will rely on spending cuts and not taxes, specifically not higher property and sales taxes. “It’s a fluid situation, as you might imagine,” the governor said. “But that is our focus right now.”

And early last month, Sen. June Robinson, the Democrats’ chief budget writer, also told fellow lawmakers not to seek any new operating budget requests and asked her colleagues to help set those expectations with constituents and advocates.

But looking to change the dynamic, other lawmakers have a proposal they say would generate about $3 billion annually—a 5 percent tax on employer payroll expenses above $125,000 on the state’s top 1 percent of companies—or about 3,500 firms. In addition, the Wealth Tax proposed in 2025 is still on the table for consideration.

Stewart, the state League Advocacy chair, provided this context: “In light of the increased demand for services, and the fact that Washington state’s tax structure is the second most regressive in the country, the League supports fewer budget reductions and adoption of new progressive revenue—even though that will not be enough to fill all the financial gaps.”

Threats to our democracy, particularly but not exclusively from the national level, will attract attention this session as the task of protecting voting rights is increasingly falling to state legislatures. 

Several bills are aimed at shoring up voters' ability to access the ballot and elect candidates of their choice. The Washington Voices Act (HB 1448) gives local jurisdictions the ability to try proven alternative-voting methods, including ranked-choice voting. HB 1710, meanwhile, would strengthen the seven-year-old Washington State Voting Rights Act and create a system requiring local governments with a history of discrimination to secure approval before implementing changes that could impact voting or protected classes.

Meanwhile, the fate of immigrants and others will be another major focus. The Legislature will consider a new law, the No Secret Police Act, which would ban law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings and require them to wear clearly visible identification. Officers requiring protective gear, such as gas masks and motorcycle helmets, would be exempted.

Another major issue related to federal action is health care. The reductions in Medicaid affect thousands of Washingtonians and are in opposition to League’s position favoring universal access to affordable health services with seamless coverage regardless of one's health status. This will be a challenge for the state to backfill for those who lose their coverage.

In November, League members attended the annual Action Workshop for a quick look at the 2026 session.

The next step is to Register here for Lobby Week, Jan. 26-29, which will offer members an opportunity to learn about the current status of League priorities and meet with local legislators to discuss issues.

Additionally, the Legislative Action Newsletter will be published every Sunday during session to provide updates on issues that LWVWA is following and ways for League members to take action on those matters. Subscribe here to the newsletter.  

Do you want to be a savvier consumer of media and news in 2026? Register now for the final two educational workshops for League members in the Media & News Literacy series presented by LWVWA Local News and Democracy Advocacy and Education Committee. 

Techniques Used to Sway Opinion: Jan. 20, 2026, 6:30-8:00 pm via Zoom.

Persuasion is a foundational element of democracy that’s essential for civil discourse, public debate on issues, and consensus-building in a free society. But sometimes, persuasion can lead you astray. This online, interactive workshop will cover persuasion’s different forms and how they work, and it will provide skill-building exercises to help you become more aware of when you’re being influenced and how to resist.

Get to Know Artificial Intelligence (AI): Feb. 24, 2026, 6:30-8:00 pm via Zoom.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere—even places that might surprise you. This online, interactive workshop will teach skills to help you identify how and where AI is being used. You’ll also learn basic definitions and information to help you understand AI’s capabilities for good or potential harm.

To get the most out of these Media & News Literacy: Educational Workshops, we recommend you:

• View the 8-minute introduction to media and news literacy video.
• Explore the recordings and presentations from the first two workshops HERE.

These workshops are part of the state League’s “Democracy Power-Up!” series to help members respond to the constitutional crisis and defend democracy.

"It has been such a pleasure to connect with members in this way. Some visits have been in-person and others virtual. But all have been inspiring.”

In Spokane, Crowley met with board members and committee leads at a reception hosted by Spokane co-presidents, Ruth May and Sue Irwin. She addressed an all-member meeting on Dec. 9 and took time to tour the Gonzaga University campus as a possible future convention site.

She’s also met with members in San Juan, Snohomish and Mason counties and Pullman. Next up, in January, is a Zoom presentation with members ofin the new League in Klickitat/Skamania counties.

“The creativity and scope of work being accomplished across the state is a testament to the power of the League,” Crowley noted.

Meanwhile, also in December, Crowley participated in the Leadership Snohomish County Signature Program, which held a daylong training.

“The day’s subject was Government and Public Policy and the conversation was lively,” Crowley said. 

Workshop participants during the Elections Panel were looking to better understand ballot processing and election security. “They wondered how we could strengthen our democracy,” she said.

The panel Crowley participated in also featured Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.

Crowley described several approaches to elections and improving democracy, including ranked-choice voting and proportional representation. She challenged participants in the leadership program to be more involved, including by running for office and, certainly, by voting.

"A successful democracy demands our engagement. You give up your power if you do not vote. Democracy needs you now, more than ever."

By Beth Pellicciotti, Nominating Committee, LWV of Washington

Perhaps you’ve been contacted by a member of the LWVWA Nominating Committee, encouraging you to apply to the League of Women Voters of Washington Board of Directors. 

Or that you know the Jan. 5, 2026, deadline to apply is fast approaching and you’re still debating whether you have the time or the skills to serve.

Listen to the voices of board members, hear why they joined, and learn what they’ve gained from their contributions. Then complete the board application form at this link: LWVWA Nominating Committee Web Page.

Nancy Halvorson: "Someone believed in me enough to ask me to apply, so I did.  I was already working with Member Engagement and Leadership Development (MELD), and being on the state board has allowed me to work with others to further develop this program to support our greatest asset—our members.”

Angela Gyurko: “I decided to apply after attending Council in 2024 and seeing what was possible in the League. I am learning more than I ever thought possible by serving in this position.  ”

Dee Anne Finken: “I discovered serving on the board opened the door to work closely with bright and creative people—and to build friendships that have added greatly to my life.”    

Sasha Bentley: “I joined the LWVWA board because I see the commitment to justice, transparency, and shared leadership.”

Martin Gibbins: “Regretfully, we live in a time when our democracy teeters away from traditional American aspirations and toward autocracy. I cannot sit by. Working for the League and offering my time to the tasks of the board is probably the most impactful action I can take.” 

Karen Crowley (current board president): “I knew the time requirements would be significant (as president), but I also knew I had the time to give—and the desire to make a difference.”

Mary Coltrane (immediate past president): "I joined the LWVWA board after the 2017 election, which I took as a call to arms. It seemed like a good idea then, and I have not been proved wrong!”

Annual Lobby Week, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Washington Lobby Team for League members only, will be Jan. 26-29.

During the daytime that week, members in local Leagues throughout Washington will have the opportunity to meet with their state legislators via Zoom to urge legislative support for League positions.

Evenings, again only for League members, will feature Zoom presentations by Lobby Team members detailing key issues the state Legislature is expected to address this session.

Register here for the week’s events.

Initial planning for the week assumes the lack of financial resources will permeate all discussions, said Cynthia Stewart, LWVWA Advocacy chair. Also, likely to be key will be the effects of federal changes to Medicaid, the continued lack of affordable housing and climate change.

Legislation related to these and other issues such as democracy, immigrants, criminal justice and more also will be discussed, along with talking points for all issues that League members can use for their meetings.

Stewart said the week’s training and interactions represent considerable hours of investment by both those organizing and presenting the sessions and those who attend seeking both information and a chance to meet with their state senators and representative.  

“The whole week is a bit of a laborious effort, but it’s well worth our time as it means more of us can make a difference in our laws and in our state’s future,” she said.

Stewart also said members interested in participating are welcome to pick and choose which sessions they attend and that it’s well understood that members have other commitments beyond the League.

“Of course, it would be terrific if all members could attend all of the sessions, but we recognize people have lives full of other relationships, responsibilities and activities. Do what works for you.”

League members studying the loss of local news four years ago were told by Washington State University journalism department chair Ben Shors what the decline has led us to. 

“It’s not a journalism crisis,” Shors told the League members with unflinching clarity. “It’s a democracy crisis.”

Since then, in addition to the LWVWA’s “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy,” mountains of research have proven that message to be true. 

Shors and colleagues now have an opportunity to change that reality in Washington state at least a few degrees.  

A new partnership forged between the WSU Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and a national nonprofit would replace and expand on the News Fellowship program that was a casualty of the 2025 Washington state legislative session. 

That fellowship placed 16 journalists in 22 newsrooms across the state, producing nearly 2,700 news stories and providing much-needed civic affairs coverage to League members and hundreds of thousands of other Washingtonians.

Under the new partnership, described as the first-of-its-kind in the nation, each of Washington’s 39 counties would be assigned a fellow to provide coverage of local news and developments. Modeled after the Washington State University County Extension program, the expanded News Fellowship would ensure remote rural areas as well as populated urban areas would have news coverage. News deserts in Washington tend to be in eastern and central areas of the state, although not exclusively.  

Shors said the state would contribute $1 million annually over the next two years but the bulk of the cost of ensuring coverage for all 39 counties would come from funders from whom the partnership has commitments.   
 
The state investment would allow the program to operate under the auspices of the university as well as demonstrate a solid commitment to funders.

Under the plan, the new fellowship would launch in January 2027, with an inaugural cohort of 13 journalists covering key civic issues and addressing gap in local reporting. New cohort would be added every year for three years.

The League will be following developments and call for support of the partnership when the Legislature reconvenes next month.

For more information about the proposal, contact Dee Anne Finken, dfinken@lwvwa.org, chair of the Local News & Democracy team. 

By Sally Carpenter Hale, Communications Manager, LWV of Clark County

Molly Coston, past president of the Clark County League and longtime supporter, died Nov. 18 at age 77.

“Molly was an influential member of our Southwest Washington community,” said LWVCC past president Nancy Halvorson.  “As well as being an active League member, serving in many roles, Molly served the Washougal community for many years as a city council member and as mayor.  

“Molly will be greatly missed.”

At the time of her death, Coston was serving as the chair of the C-Tran board of directors and Clark County Regional Transportation Council board of directors.

Her leadership was integral to Washougal’s growth and civic identity for nearly two decades, according to a statement from the city of Washougal.

Coston first joined the Washougal City Council in 2005, serving for six years. After several years away from city government, Coston was elected mayor of Washougal in November 2017 and held the position from 2018-2021.

In 2021, she was elected to fill an unexpired position on the council.  That term was set to conclude in two years.

Washougal Mayor David Stuebe said: “Many people called her ‘Mayor Molly’ because she was approachable and took the time to truly listen and be truly engaged. Her leadership influenced the direction of our city, and we are so grateful for her service.  

This fall, Lake Washington High School students in Kirkland worked with members of the Seattle King County League to conduct a Kirkland City Council Candidates forum. This is a shorter version of a news article three of the students who participated, Aabriella Frazier, Nandini Damodaran, and Lorenzo D’Ambrosi, wrote about their experience.

As the members of our group began sitting down for our first meeting, nobody knew what to expect. Most of us were inexperienced in the realm of city council forums. What impact could our small group have on the community anyway?

Although it was hard work, it also taught us about what we each value in the community and how we, as students, can make the positive change we want to see.

Through the mentorship of the League and guidance of our AP teachers, Mr. Dawson and Ms. Shoda, we started by gathering information from our community, doing so through surveys attached to promotional posters. We assigned several group members to hang them up at critical points throughout our school, local businesses, and public spaces such as the Kirkland Library.

Hosting the forum was a challenging yet redeeming experience.

It introduced us to the experience of working with a political organization to step into the landscape that we will soon be navigating independently: civic engagement.

Planning the forum required an efficient delegation of roles and responsibilities. Examples included writing questions, reaching out to neighboring communities, and visiting forums, all in the hopes of adequately preparing ourselves.

As a result, the questions written by a younger demographic demanded that the candidates think about issues they may have previously overlooked and approach known issues from a fundamentally different perspective to address the concerns of a new population that will soon be voting.

Click here to read the full story the students submitted.

The Power of Us is the theme for Council 2026, which will be June 6 and 7, in Lacey, and members of the planning committee are inviting every League member —new, lifetime or in between—to start thinking about attending. 

Council is our opportunity to come together for a refreshing, empowering, and educational event.  It’s where we can learn about ourselves and the League, share details about the extraordinary work each local League is doing, express our appreciation for the efforts of the past year, and move forward with the renewed power that comes from collaboration and cooperation. 

As you save the date in your calendar, also think about the talents you have and the ideas you might contribute. 

• Got a design idea for a “The Power of Us” logo that we can use in Council-related communications? Send it along.
• Have a workshop you and your League would like to offer? Or an evening caucus you’d like to propose?  It’s never too early to draft a proposal.
• If you live within 30 minutes of South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey campus and have a guest room for a fellow League member, we’re organizing home-stays to help make Council attendance more affordable. 

Watch for more details via In League and in your inbox in the coming months, and send ideas to Angela Gyurko at agyurko@lwvwa.org. 

Thank you! Here’s to seeing you in Lacey in June.