By Kate Hobbie, LWV of Clark County

The event was titled You Can Run for Office, but when she joined the planning team for it last year, Kate Castenson wasn’t thinking of running herself. As she listened to the panel of current and former local public officials, though, she felt “energized” — especially when an outgoing planning commissioner encouraged her to consider that role.  

“The more I learned that day, the more I felt this could be a great way to make a difference in the city’s future,” she said. “I thought the event would be about me encouraging others to run, but I wound up catching the bug myself!” 

You Can Run for Office is a project of the League of Women Voters of Clark County that offers insights and training for people interested in serving on a local government board. The public sessions have drawn dozens of participants over the past two years.    

Castenson, a Claremont McKenna College graduate,is now serving a four-year term on the Vancouver Planning Commission, an advisory body for the city.     

No stranger to public service, Castenson holds a master’s degree in international human rights and has worked with a variety of organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.  

Last year, when her 10-year job with Portland-based Mercy Corps ended after federal funding cuts, she shifted her focus from the international scene and asked, “What would it be like to be more engaged locally?” 

Already a member of LWV of Clark County, she then had time to serve on the board and chair the Action and Advocacy Committee. 

 At 38, Castenson is younger than most League members. “What drew me was the nonpartisanship, along with the focus on foundational issues of our democracy that have become so important now,” she said.  

“This work needs everyone to be engaged, and we need pathways for younger members — including students — who maybe can’t attend every meeting but want to work on a specific issue or short-term project.” 

Castenson’s League volunteer work helped prepare her for the planning commission, which she jumped into at full speed.The city is in the final stages of updating its comprehensive plan for the next 20 years.  

She’s digested hundreds of pages of background information. “You need to know the material so you can articulate it in a way the public understands and anticipate their questions,” she said. 

Being a League board member familiarized her with how to run a meeting (“I hadn’t read Robert’s Rules since high school!”), how to lead confidently, and how to handle tough conversations.  

“There will always be those who think you’re not going in the right direction, and you have to accept that with grace and empathy,” she said. “Through the League, I’ve gained comfort in facilitation and consensus-building.”  

Castenson joins a long list of League members in public office. A prime example is Kim Abel, former mayor of Port Orchard and a longtime leader in the Washington State and Kitsap County leagues.  

Public office “wasn’t on my horizon” when she joined LWV in 1997, Abel said. “But we were so encouraged to get involved with government, go to meetings and speak out. At some point I told myself, ‘You can do this’ — and it didn’t feel scary because of my League experience.”  

Abel credits LWV with teaching her that “the issues we care about are all interconnected,”and “you can’t make changes overnight.”  

It also sharpened her group listening skills: “Understanding that there are different perspectives and all of them matter – that’s the heart of the League consensus process, and it is key in government.” 

Castenson would certainly agree — and she said as much at this year’s You Can Run for Office.  

“What qualities does it take to be on a board or commission? Most important is a deep commitment to the city and its residents, and a willingness to listen and engage,” she told workshop participants.  

 “Instead of asking ‘Why me?’, ask yourself ‘Why not me?’” 

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

The LWVWA’s position titled “Protecting the Rights of Immigrants” won a significant endorsement earlier this month when the national League recommended members across the country adopt the position by way of the process known as concurrence.  

Adopting the position would allow all Leagues to lobby for legislation that would protect the rights of immigrants residing in our communities. 

Meanwhile, state and local Leagues across the country also continue to extend their support for the position as the 57th biennial national convention nears. Members attending the June 25-27 event in Columbus, Ohio, will vote on whether the position, which affirms the rights of immigrants, should become a national policy.  

The endorsement does not guarantee national adoption but rather encourages members to vote in favor of it. Two years ago, the Washington state League’s position on Local News & Democracy also received a recommendation to support and membership handily adopted that position by a 859-63 vote.  

“We are extremely grateful to the national League for its support and for their decision to recommend our position for adoption,” said Susan Martin, chair of the campaign to secure concurrence. She, along with Lobby Team Immigrants Issue Chair Lydia Zepeda, wrote the study that led to state adoption of the Washington position. 

"The acknowledgement from the national League reinforces that the League is an organization that is committed to our democracy and is willing to stand tall to make ours a better world,” added Martin, former executive director of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform. 

In informing Washington State League leadership of the national board’s recommendation, LWVUS consultant Betsy Lawson wrote, “As part of the recommended program, the LWVUS board is recommending concurrence with the LWVWA position-in-brief, Protecting the Rights of Immigrants.” 

She explained that the position-in-brief provides “a thorough and overarching position that will complement the existing LWVUS position on Immigration. 

Nearly 10 state Leagues and more than three dozen local Leagues have indicated they will vote to adopt the position, Martin noted. 

The Port Washington-Manhasset League on Long Island’s north shore in New York, wrote last month to salute the study the League published in 2024, and the respective position on Protecting the Rights of Immigrants: 

We appreciate all your efforts in creating such a readable, comprehensive, inspiring study — and a position which is both general enough to be aspirational and specific enough to use for advocacy. That is a tough balancing act. 

Your ease with the subject matter is apparent ... and clearly speaks to decades of involvement and passion in building your expertise. We benefited tonight and we hope many more Leagues will be able to use your position in the coming months and years. We, as a country, certainly need it." 

Martin and Zepeda will attend the convention, titled “Women Unite & Rise.” Representing the state League will be President Karen Crowley, Director Roberta Soltz and Alison McCaffree, who chairs the LWVWA Washington Redistricting Reform Task Force and is the Lobby Team’s Issue Chair for Democracy. 

Washington members adopted the position in June 2025 at the state convention. At the upcoming national convention, using a process called concurrence, other Leagues can adopt the position without the rigorous study required of an initial adoption. Concurrence would enable League members nationwide to advocate legislatively on behalf of immigrants. 

Meanwhile, LWVWA is using its position to educate Washingtonians about the rights of immigrants and to lobby and advocate for measures that ensure that immigrants, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, are treated with respect and dignity.  

Martin prepared an op-ed article, “Immigrant Detention in America,” which was published late last month in the Journal of the San Juan Islands newspaper. Zepeda’s “Weekly Legislative Update: Immigrants” published during the 2026 state legislative session, provided important information on legislation affecting immigrants for League members as well as legislators.  

Think of “The Power of Us,” this year’s biennial Council, as an Innovation Lab, a place to learn, share and shape the future of the League. 

It is all that, plus the election of half of our new leadership.

To encourage newer members to attend council, registration rates in person for those who joined in the last year are reduced from $135 to $60. Virtual registration for all is $30. 

Saturday’s night keynote speaker will be the Honorable G. Helen Whitener of the Washington State Supreme Court.

Widely recognized by the legal community for her commitment to justice and equity, Whitener was recognized in 2021 as Public Official of the Year by The Evergreen State College’s Master of Public Administration Program and also was recognized as Judge of the Year by The Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association. 

Meanwhile, Sunday morning at the event at the South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey, Washington, six board members, each who will serve two-year terms, will be elected.  Four of the candidates have been League members for seven to 15 years, while the other two are newer, with two or fewer years of League involvement.

With their election, the board will feature members from 10 of the 19 local Leagues in the state. “They represent a nice mix of members from urban and rural communities and provide valued diversity,” said Cindy Piennett, chair of the 2025-27 Nominating Committee. 

Serving with Piennett on the nominating committee are Tricia Grantham from Pullman and Beth Pellicciotti from Spokane, along with current board members Angela Gyurko of Jefferson County and Robbie Soltz from Kittitas County. 

“The nominating committee worked diligently over the past year to secure a strong slate,” Piennett said. 

“All have amazing experiences and great attitudes and approaches to collaboration and working with people who are not necessarily all like themselves,” she said. The candidates bring ideas for shaping the League's future and supporting local Leagues, she added.  

One is a former adviser to the U.S. president and Congress, another worked for Microsoft in leadership development and another had a career with the U.S. Department of Justice in the areas of civil rights and voting. One earned a master’s degree in taxation and some have served as project managers and trainers. Among the new members are former local League presidents, treasurers and secretaries.  

The nominating committee’s work won’t end with council. Each year, half of state League’s directors are elected. 

“We’ll start again right after council,” Piennett said. The task is to nominate seven new board of directors members and three new nominating committee members at the biennial convention, which will be held next year in Spokane. 

Between now and then, Piennett said the committee will encourage members to think of themselves as possessing the skills and experience the League needs. “We want our members to recognize they can have a seat at the table to help set strategy, to shape the future, to advocate for policy, to design programs and to steer the organization.” 

Candidate applications will be accepted in January, with interviews taking place between then and March and a new slate announced 40 days before the convention. Click here for more information.  

Several developments line the road to “The Power of Us,” the LWVWA Council June 6-7 in Lacey. Here’s a schedule to help you keep informed along the route: 

Monday, April 27
Forty days before Council, on Monday, April 27, members will be emailed the draft Standing Rules for Council and the Nominating Committee Report. The latter identifies nominees for state board director and officer positions for the coming term. Until then, the identities of the nominees are under wraps. 

Standing Rules are procedures for the business matters we undertake at Council, all of which lead to the election of new board directors and officers. Also, that day, local League leaders will receive an email report reminding them of how many delegates they may send to Council as representatives.  

Tuesday, May 5
On May 5,a full schedule of Council workshops will be posted on the LWVWA website. That document will help you plan your days at Council. 

Wednesday, May 6
On May 6, from 6-7:30 pm, join President Karen Crowley and Nominating Committee Chair Cindy Piennett for a Zoom introduction of the state board nominees and hear Crowley’s presentation of what takes place at Council and why we do what we do. Register here. 

Friday, May 15

May 15 is the deadline to register for the Incoming-Outgoing League Presidents Breakfast. This year’s event will be at 8:30 am on June 6, at the Holiday Inn Express, a short walk across the parking lot from South Puget Sound Community College where Council takes place. This informal event is chance for incoming and outgoing presidents to forge the connections that make League leadership so valuable. If you plan to attend the breakfast, please email agyurko@lwvwa.org to RSVP, and please indicate whether you are staying at the Holiday Inn Express, staying elsewhere, or commuting to Council. 

Saturday, June 6
Council doors open June 6 at 9 am! Your volunteer team of Council organizers will be easy to recognize. You’ll see their smiling faces at the registration table as they check you in, hand you a workbook, and show you where you can find coffee and tea. You may also see flashes of other volunteers scurrying between meeting rooms, double-checking the tech and the microphones, and doing their best to make sure everyone has a great Council experience.  

The business of Council begins at 10 am. The Credentialing Officers at the doors will conduct the morning delegate count. President Karen Crowley will give her opening remarks and Council will officially begin. 

Haven’t registered? 
Register here and book your room at the Holiday Inn Express in Lacey. A limited number of homestays are available, courtesy of Thurston County League members.  Additionally, several League members are looking for a roommate to split the cost of their hotel room. Email agyurko@lwvwa.org for information about a roommate or for a homestay.  

By Angela Gyurko, Secretary, LWV of Washington

After hearing Washington State Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener speak at last month’s Council for the Social Studies, LWVWA President Karen Crowley knew that League members would be drawn to her message. The planning team reached out, and the Justice agreed to be our keynote speaker at “The Power of Us,” our state League’s 2026 biennial Council in Lacey. 

“Justice Whitener’s call to ‘Stand up, Stand out, Stand fast’ resonated deeply with me. Her commitment to equity, inclusion, and public service stands as a guiding light in this difficult moment. The Justice noted that state courts are now pivotal in securing our rights—a reality we all need to better understand. And finally, she urged each of us to be visible, vocal and vigilant. Surely, that is a message we can all support,” Crowley said. 

“I was so pleased when she accepted our invitation and I look forward to hearing, once again, from this exceptional leader.” 

Whitener identifies as a person with a disability, and speaks often to local, national, and international organizations on human rights and access to justice.A native of Trinidad, she has a unique perspective on the legal changes and challenges of the last decade, and will speak the evening of Saturday, June 6. 

Whitener is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law. She served as a public defender, a prosecutor and a private practice attorney before becoming a judge in 2015, when Gov. Jay Inslee appointed her to the Pierce County Superior Court. 

Five years later, following the retirement of Justice Charles Kenneth Wiggins, Inslee appointed Whitener to the state Supreme Court, where she became the nation’s first Black LGBTQIA+ state Supreme Court justice. 

Widely recognized by the legal community for her commitment to justice and equity, Whitener is the recipient of the 2025 Anshel Ma’asehi Award of Distinction from the Cardozo Society of Washington state, an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Puget Sound, and the American Bar Association’s Stonewall Award.  

In 2021, she was recognized as Public Official of the Year by The Evergreen State College’s Master of Public Administration Programand also was recognized as Judge of the Year by The Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association. 

by Cynthia Stewart, Advocacy Chair emeritus, LWV of Washington

One of the final acts of the 2026 legislature was passage of the Millionaires’ Tax, SB 6346. This was historic in several ways. Most states do not have such a tax and adoption process was down-to-the-wire challenging.

The Millionaires’ Tax was proposed to cover much of Washington State’s multi-billion-dollar financial gap caused by a combination of factors: increases in the cost of doing business, lower than originally forecast revenue, and the need to offset decreased federal funding for health care, food and other poverty-related programs.  

In a nutshell, the Milionaires’ tax establishes a 9.9% tax on the amount of personal income that exceeds $1 million annually, with a number of exclusions. It will generate more than $2 billion annually that will support K-12 education, health care and the Working Families Tax Credit, primarily.

Washington’s regressive tax structure is less stable and more inequitable than the those of the 41 states that have a regular income tax. Our current structure, which relies predominantly on sales, business and occupation and property taxes, severely limits the amount of revenue that could be generated to meet expanding needs. Those who pay the most of state and local taxes as a share of their incomes are the people at the lower income brackets. These are the same people who lose services when funding falls short.

Budget cuts as an alternative to the Millionaires Tax would exacerbate the state’s financial problem, because the costs of ignoring social needs only makes them more costly. The adopted budget does include some cuts; prior budgets have reduced more. There is no “fat” available to cut.

These challenges with Washington’s tax structure have been acknowledged for  many decades. Ballot measures to pass an income tax have been rejected several times, most recently in 1982. The Millionaires’ Tax is not considered to be an income tax per se because it applies to such a limited population and has precedence in the court’s approval of the capital gains tax.

The LWVWA supported the Millionaires’ Tax bill because of our adopted position on state taxes is “action to obtain a balanced tax structure that is fair, adequate, flexible, and has a sound economic effect.” Also, many programs that the LWVWA supports would be hurt by any other option.

Before the tax bill went to the floor in both chambers, the public hearing turnout was historic. A staggering 80,000-plus people signing in pro and con. When the bill got to the House floor, an equally historic 24-hour debate ensued before the final vote.

This tax will likely be challenged in court. Meanwhile, it not only provides an improved revenue base but also can be the start of a process to make the entire tax structure more reliable, flexible and equitable.

by Ann Murphy, Lobby Team Co-chair and Waste Diversion Issue Chair, LWV of Washington

The Washington State Legislature adjourned its 60-day short session on March 12, having approved 267 bills that will become law if Gov. Bob Ferguson signs them. Among those are 48 bills the LWVWA actively supported with your help. The Lobby Team thanks you!

Bills that passed
The League’s top priority was SB 6346—the Millionaires' Tax—which passed in the final week of the session.  Advocacy Chair emeritus Cynthia Stewart even returned to help our Lobby Team advocate for the bill. Stewart believes this is one of the most consequential bills passed in more than a decade because it will change the state's tax base from being unfair for people of lower incomes to one that is far more equitable and will generate much-needed revenue. See her more detailed report HERE.

Other bills that support the LWVWA’s priorities related to democracy, the environment, and social and economic justice are listed HERE.

Six of the eleven bills League prioritized during the LWVWA's Lobby Week (Feb. 23-26) are on their way to the Governor: 

• SB 6346 the Millionaires' Tax
• HB 1710 Preclearance for proposed changes to election procedures
• HB 1916 Challenges to voter registration
• HB 2238 Food security
• HB 2338 Weatherization projects
• SB 5981 Discounted medications

Next Steps
The Governor has 20 days, not counting Sundays, to sign if the bills are to become law. That deadline is April 4.

Between now and January 2027, many League advocates will continue the fight for bills that did not pass and to ponder additional legislation. Following the November election, the legislative process will start all over again for the 2027-2028 biennium.

The LWVWA Lobby Team, coordinated by Marty Gibbins (LWV Seattle King County) and Ann Murphy (LWV Clark County), includes 12 Issue Chairs who advocate in a variety of areas based on positions coming from consensus by League members. The team has a growing group of Advocates who assist with this important work,

“In 2026, I joined the Washington League Democracy Lobby Team as an Advocate, and I enjoyed feeling like a bigger part of the action,” reflected Kit Muehlman (LWV Bellingham-Whatcom).

The end of the session brought a range of emotions for the Issue Chairs.

Katie Johnson, Healthcare Issue Chair (LWV Snohomish County) noted, “As a novice, I’m excited about how joining our voices together resulted in seven health care bills being signed into law!”

“Sadly, SB 5400 to strengthen reputable local news coverage did not pass this year, and we are grateful for the growing recognition that local news is foundational to healthy communities and democracy—and for those who are working diligently to address the crisis,” Dee Anne Finken, Local News Issue Chair (LWV Clark County)

Phyllis Farrell, Agriculture Issue Chair, (LWV Thurston County) is hopeful: “The passage this year of HB 2238 should further agriculture viability for farmers, reduce food insecurity and improve safe food access for consumers. Much more work needs to be done to provide support for small farmers and those wanting to transition to regenerative or organic farming.”

Learning at Council
The Lobby Team will present a workshop at the LWVWA Council (June 5-7 in Lacey, WA) to help members who wish to engage in League advocacy. Some may immerse themselves in actual lobbying efforts. Others may be happy to help from their armchairs by contacting legislators in response to action requests.

Reading the Legislative Action Newsletter and responding to the various action requests are an important part of “Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.”

Said Kate Lunceford, Forest Issue Chair (LWV Snohomish County): “I’m grateful to the League for giving us the credibility and reach that few other platforms can match—and we use it wisely and powerfully.”

 

Help celebrate Women’s History Month by recording a brief—a very brief—video of yourself sharing an experience about voting.

Perhaps you’d like to reminisce (again, just briefly) about the first time you marked a ballot. 

Or perhaps when you sat down and helped a newcomer register to vote.

Or how you know in your bones, that despite claims by others, that your vote is your voice—and that it matters. 

A new partnership between the League of Women Voters of Washington and the Washington Office of the Secretary of State offers League members an opportunity to record a snippet and have it posted on both the LWV and the State secretary’s social media accounts, specifically on Facebook and Instagram.

The purpose is to celebrate Women’s History Month and remind the public of the importance of women’s suffrage, which in Washington state began earlier than in most other states.

It’s easy to do. All you need is a camera that takes video and the ability to text your recording to the SOS account at 360-701-0843 or upload it to the SOS dropbox here.

But act fast! The deadline to submit your video is Sunday, March 22.

Follow the guidelines on the accompanying illustrations or view the flyers HERE, for more details, including prompts to which you may like to respond. 

For more information, contact Amy Lin with the State secretary’s office at 360-890-6747 or amy.lin@sos.wa.gov

The League believes that to protect and defend democracy, we must show up persistently. That means attending rallies and protests over and over again. Find locations and information about the upcoming No Kings rallies in or near your community. 

LWVUS Guidance
Be sure to utilize the LWVUS Protest Safety Guidance and Guidance for Leagues About Nonpartisanship and Partnerships. 

The League is a partner for No Kings, so at the rallies please: 

• DO support the League's mission, table at your local event, and wear League shirts and/or League buttons. You may also put the League logo on your signs.
  
  
• When tabling, promoting the rally, discussing the issues, or in your signage DO NOT mention individual names or specify political parties. 

Sign Design Guidance 

Follow the guidance below to create effective signage:

• Use a maximum of 5-7 words for readability.
  
  
• Use high contrasting colors (like black on neon or red on white).
  
  
• Use large letters—make them 3-4 inches tall if possible.
  
  
• Add simple symbols to your signs (such as the "No Kings" crossed-crown, the Statue of Liberty, or the Constitution).

Suggested Sign Wording 
Below are suggested wording for your rally signs—feel free to modify the sign templates from LWV Snohomish County:

• Protect the vote. Protect democracy
• Every Voter. Every Voice. No kings
• ‘We the people’ means all of us
• Your vote is your voice
• Hands Off/Our democracy
• E pluribus unum
• Democracy brings us together
• I support the constitution
• Not on my watch
• Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
• 3 equal branches of government
• No Kings. No Tyrants. No Exceptions
• We The People—Not One Person
• Power Belongs to the People
• Protect the Rule of Law
• Democracy = Rule of Law

Monthly Media Literacy Tip
As with a virus, faulty information is a threat not just to a single individual, but to many people.

Faulty reasoning can accelerate the spread of faulty information. We are all susceptible to manipulation by faulty reasoning when bad actors take advantage of the brain's limited ability to discern fact from fiction in a fast-moving social media environment.  

To resist manipulation by faulty reasoning, it helps to be familiar with common tactics, like scapegoating. That involves blaming huge problems or even smaller ones on a specific group or a specific person when there is no evidence that either the group or person is to blame. 

Two examples of scapegoating: Blaming low voter turnout on a single group of people in a population or singling out one junior engineer for a project’s failure when the project is the work of a team.

If there is no evidence to support a claim, you can dismiss the faulty reasoning and thereby stop the spread of faulty information.

Now Available: Media & News Literacy Workshop Recordings
Are you finding it harder to find the truth within the torrent of information that bombards you every day? If so, we have a great resource for you!

The LWVWA offers recordings of four live workshops that teach media and news literacy skills. No registration is required! Just click on each recording that interests you and listen to it when you want and at your own pace.

We recommend you start your learning experience with our eight-minute Intro to Media and News Literacy video, then look for “Workshop Recordings and Presentations" portion on the Local News and Democracy webpage. The subjects covered are:

• The Power of Critical Thinking 
• Making Sense of Information 
• Techniques Used to Sway Opinion 
• Get to Know Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Click on the presentation that accompanies each workshop recording to get a list of resources that will help you become a savvy consumer of information.

Questions? Contact the Media Literacy and News Education Project team at MediaNewsEd@lwvwa.org.

The LWVWA members responsible for the Media Literacy and News Education Project share a media literacy tip for publication in the monthly Project for Civic Health newsletter. The project, established to foster greater civic health and dialogue, is housed in the office of Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and involves the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, the University of Washington Evans School, and The William D. Ruckelshaus Center. The League's most recent tip is above.