Editor's note: Like news publications across Washington and the United States, The Daily Record in Ellensburg has been hard hit by the local news decline, losing staff and reducing coverage of the communities it serves. The LWVWA’s 2023 study, “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy,” reported the average number of pages in the Record’s Sunday edition dropped from 26 in 2004 to 12 in 2020. The newsstand price also doubled, from 50 cents to $1. Once published six days a week, it is now published four days a week. Finally, a recent circulation count for the Record was 5,523 while the region’s Community Connect Facebook page reported more than 12,000 member followers in Kittitas County, further evidence the reduced coverage is prompting readers to turn to social media for information. 

By Maureen McKinney, Outreach/Communications, LWV of Kittitas County

For the past few years, The Daily Record in Ellensburg, published by Adams Publishing and serving Kittitas County, has regularly published articles prepared by members of the League of Women Voters of Kittitas County. 

The articles appear in the Record’s opinion section, published under the header “Guest Viewpoint.” The Record published13 of our articles in 2024, with that number nearly doubling to 24 in 2025. 

The subject matter has varied from voting security to Hispanic National Heritage Month, to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to support of local news in all formats. 

Among the titles on recent stories are “The U.S. Postal Service Still Essential,” “Parade with Us (Join us in celebrating and participating in the Ellensburg Pride Parade),” and “We Can’t Do This without Journalistic Standards.” 

We’ve taken on this project because citizens need fair, truthful and in-depth information about key issues at all levels.  Sadly, too many people rely on a single source for their news, leaving them with only bits of information, all too often featuring mis- and disinformation, rather than facts and reality. 

The League’s reputation, the result of our practice of careful study and member consensus on issues, contributes to readers believing the content we produce is trustworthy. 

Nine local League members have taken up their pens to contribute these articles.  All the while, they adhere to League positions on issues, offering their own person touch. 

Click HERE to access the articles published in 2024 and 2025. 

Contact us at info@kittitasleague.org if your local League would like to learn more about our project.  Perhaps your local news outlet would like you to contribute your insights.  

by Susan Martin and Lydia Zepeda, Welcoming Immigrants Concurrence Committee, LWV of Washington

The League of Women Voters of Washington will submit its recently adopted position on the rights of immigrants in the United States as a concurrence item for consideration at the National Convention in June.  

We need your local League to support concurrence as part of your program-planning process this month. You can do this by identifying concurrence with the LWVWA position on the rights of immigrants in the upcoming LWVUS program planning survey. 

The LWVUS adopteda position on immigration in 2008 that focuses primarily on the admission of immigrants and their right to due process.  

The LWVWA position expands on that by addressing issues that affect immigrants and their families after entry into the United States.  

The LWVWA position is based on two years of objective and nonpartisan analysis. The resulting report, Welcoming Immigrants to Washington State, is fully supported by careful data and research, including dozens of interviews with immigrants and other stakeholders.  

We  ask your League to prioritize national adoption of the LWVWA position on the rights of immigrants in the program-planning survey (available Jan.15) and, of course, at the June convention. The convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio.  

The concurrence process is the best way for the League to help protect the rights of immigrants already in the U.S. and their families. The concurrence team has sent sample language to all local Leagues to use to complete the program-planning survey. Let us know if you have questions. 

For more information, contact Welcoming Immigrants committee leaders Susan Martin at smartin@lwvwa.org and Lydia Zepeda at lzepeda@lwvwa.org. 

By Sasha Bentley and Robbie Soltz, DEI Affinity Group co-chairs, LWV of Washington

We invite you to watch The Danger of a Single Story, a short, powerful talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, whose portrait appears on the previous page.  The talk is a reminder of how incomplete narratives—about people, communities, or organizations—can limit understanding and belonging, even when intentions are good. 

Inspired by this framing, our DEI Affinity Group has begun meeting and wants to share both what we’re doing and how you can be involved. Transparency is a priority for us, and we’ll be communicating more regularly about our work, decisions, and next steps. 

Our first actions are focused on listening and learning: 

• Reviewing DEI-related work, policies and practices across national, state and local Leagues,
  
  
• Gathering input on what local Leagues are already doing—what's working, what's challenging and what support would be helpful.

In February, we’ll synthesize what we learn to help identify shared priorities and next actions. Contact Sasha Bentley at sbentley@lwvwa.org for the calendar invite/Zoom link. 

Our goal is clear: to continue shaping a League which people feel they can truly be a part of.  

Achieving that takes thoughtful change, learning and training, clear and accountable internal systems, and a culture that supports belonging at every level. 

We’ll share more soon on how to share your local work and join the conversation. We’re grateful to be learning together. 

More information is available from DEI Affinity Group co-chairs Bentley at sbentley@lwvwa.org and Robbie Soltz at rsoltz@lwvwa.org.

Think of Council as an Innovation Lab—a place where members and leaders come together to learn, share, and shape the future of the League. 

The theme for this year’s Council, which is June 6-7, reflects the multiple layers of the League:  

• Our power as individual members and leaders in our local Leagues in our communities,  
  
  
• Our power to innovate, breathing new practices into our work to empower voters and defend democracy,  
  
  
• Our power in coalition with the many partners with whom we collaborate. 

Our strength is our members, and we welcome your ideas for a workshop or caucus. Start thinking now of what you might want to propose and how it might fit in with the theme. The Council website will go live at the end of January.  

Council will be at South Puget Sound Community College, Lacey campus, with lodging available at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey, which is located at 4460 3rd Ave. SE.  Hotel registration and information will be included on the Council registration form on the website at the end of the month. 

Contact Angela Gyurko, Council Planning Committee chair, at agyurko@lwvwa.org for more information. 

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!”