The League of Women Voters is strongly associated with its civics education and voter services work—for a good reason! Civics ed and voter services is a crucial part of the work the League does, and 2023-2024 for the League was no exception to this. Read below for some updates on the civics ed and voters services work going on around the state.

Civic Education
The Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is supporting the LWVWA civics textbooks, The State We’re In: Washington (TSWI), through two contracts. One contract focuses on the Spanish translation of the textbooks, and related materials, for the OSPI Dual Language program. The second contract, a legislative proviso, will pay for the printing of the Spanish-translated TSWI (grades 3-5) edition. Copies of the textbooks and other materials are available here.

Several local Leagues have received civic education grants in 2023-24 through the LWVWA Education Fund. LWV Jefferson County received funding for an essay contest for high-school aged students, with the essay question, “Voting is the core tenant of our democracy. If you could vote in the 2024 election, what would you say is the most important issue influencing your vote?” Other examples of civic education grant award recipients include LWV Kittitas County's Presidental Primary panel discussion and funds for LWV Clark County purchase TSWI for local schools.

For more information on applying for LWVWA civic education grants, members should read the civic education grant guidelines in the LWVWA Education Fund Handbook (page 21). The application form is available here.

Voter Services
Each month, members from Leagues across the state get together to hear presenters and share ideas on how to 'Get Out the Vote' in 2024. The meetings are planned and facilitated by Cam Kerst (LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County), Beth Pellicciotti (LWV Spokane Area), Julie Sarkissian (LWV Seattle/King County), and Mary Schick (LWV Clark County). If you would like to see recordings and annotations of the recordings, contact Beth Pellicciotti.

Below is a list of the 'Get Out the Vote' Voter Services meetings so far this year:

January—Presidential Primary. Charli Sorenson (LWV Kittitas County) described her League’s upcoming panel discussion on the presidential primary. Other Leagues shared their outreach on the Presidential Primary with their focus on high school and college students.

February—Tabling with a Purpose. Mary Schick (LWV Clark County) presented her League’s outreach to voters through “pop-up” tables; Cam Kerst (LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County) described messaging to students at Western Washington University; and Karen Crowley and Jeanne Crevier (LWV Snohomish County) shared how to reach out to underserved voters by partnering with Goodwill.

March—Ballots. Members learned from Julie Ann Kempf (LWV Seattle/King County) about initiatives that are on track to appear on the ballots in November. LWVWA President Mary Coltrane explained the need for neutrality when members represent voter services and explain initiatives. Members shared how their League worked with voters on ballots; a good portion of the meeting was dedicated to group sharing.
 
April—Outreach to Gen Z and Millennial Voters. Mary Schick (LWV Clark County) described the differences between the 2020 and 2024 election years. She covered messaging to Gen Z and Millennial voters, strategies and challenges in motivating younger folks to vote, and simple steps in grabbing voters’ attention.
 
May—New Election Laws. Dietrich Romero, Voter Education and Outreach Specialist with the Washington Secretary of State's Office, will describe changes in the 2024 election laws and in the online voter registration system, votewa.gov.   

Voter services work also includes the work of the LWVWA Election Credibility Committee (Video Contest Committee). Polly Zetterberg (LWV Seattle/King King County) leads the work of this committee which again hosted their annual video contest for high school students. The students' videos set out to showcase the importance of voting and the stability of our election system. Local Leagues played an important part in promoting the contest! The judges are currently reviewing the 2024 submissions.

In Star Trek, a “mind meld” is a kind of telepathic touch that enables the rapid sharing of knowledge and experience. Unfortunately for (at least most of) us, we are neither telepathic nor within touching distance of each other, so we have created a MELD Network* to provide a mechanism to better share tools, methods, practices, and accomplishments across the state with each other. 

The “League Mind MELD” column is a way to share even more information to all our members across the state. This column will run each month and will include the responses we receive to the questions posed at the end of the previous month’s column.   

May’s MELD Moment—We look forward to seeing you at Council!

LWVWA's 2024 Council is May 31-June 2 and MELD will be hosting a workshop during the event focusing on membership and engagement. We are hoping to hear and share the creative ways local Leagues around the state have been engaging with their membership and addressing the interests and passions of their members.

It isn't just MELD hosting workshops during Council, workshops surrounding leadership development, local League Boards, conflict resolution, the engagement/support/retention of volunteers, nonpartisanship, and more are on the docket. LWV Thurston (the host League for the 2024 Council) is pulling out all the stops for a very creative, educational, and FUN Council!

League Spotlights

LWV Kitsap County is partnering with the WA State Department of Youth & Family, Bremerton Housing Authority, Housing and Urban Development, and the Olive Crest Program to support Evergreen Bright Start (a housing project for youth who are aging out of the foster care system). Evergreen Bright Start is due to open at the end of May, and LWV Kitsap is supporting with swag bags and donations of housewares and furnishings.

The League Mind MELD

Last month, we asked: "What are some of your favorite 'get-together' events that strengthen the ties and friendships that we enjoy with League members?"

Answers to the question ranged from Benton/Franklin's 'Tea & Wine' and  'Table Talks', to Thurston's 'Coffee with the League', to Clark County's potluck meetings and member orientation. The bottom line seems to be anywhere League members meet in-person fosters ties and friendships!

May’s question: Does your League have a relationship with your local museum and/or library system? If so, what is the relationship?

Please email responses to Nancy Halvorson, MELD Director, by June 1.  

* In the context of the League, MELD actually has zero connection to Star Trek; it is an acronym for Membership, Engagement, Leadership, and Development. MELD pods meet each month to serve as platforms for sharing successes, addressing challenges, and exchanging ideas among local Leagues. Are you interested in learning more about MELD? Talk to your Local League Leadership about becoming involved in MELD. Are you interested in learning more about MELD? Talk to your Local League Leadership about becoming involved in MELD.

2024-2026 Board Nominees 
Presented by the 2023-2025 Nominating Committee: Jean Alliman, Chair (Spokane), Linda Benson (Clallam), Dee Ann Finken (Clark County), Shelley Kneip (Thurston County), and Julie Sarkissian (Seattle-King County).

Officers

• 1st Vice President: Cynthia Stewart, LWV Tacoma-Pierce County and Thurston County
• C4 Treasurer: Dee Ann Kline Parkinson, LWV Mason County
  

Directors

• Director: Shelley Kneip, LVW Thurston County
• Director: Nancy Halvorson, LWV Clark County
• Director: Beth Pellicciotti, LWV Spokane Area
• Director: Aly Welch, LWV Pullman Area

Bios

First Vice President: Cynthia Stewart, Tacoma-Pierce County and Thurston County

I rejoined League after retirement because I had enjoyed it so much 30 years earlier as a young stay-at-home mother. I thrive on the issues that League works on, its commitment to democracy, and the many friendships I’ve developed over many years in League through working on projects together.

C4 Treasurer: Dee Ann Kline, Mason County 

I am the current Treasurer of the LWVWA. I was elected at the 2021 Convention. I serve on the Investment Committee, 2022 Council Committee and am the Board liaison to the Responsible Journalism Study. In Mason County, I am a member of the 4-person Leadership Team, the Voter Services Chairman, Newsletter Editor and I keep our website updated.  

Work/Volunteer Life:  I am retired from a career in Medical (Laboratory) Technology, with the last 25 years spent in management. I am active in the outdoors as a member of the Olympia Chapter of the Mountaineers and a Mount St. Helen Institute Volunteer. As a Master Gardener, particularly enjoy working in our Food Bank Garden. I have served on two different school boards.  

I initially joined the LWV as a way to become politically active without being involved with a political party. I continue to learn from League members around the state and am in awe of the work they do in their communities and at the state level to champion democratic principles.

Director: Shelley Kneip, Thurston 

Shelley has been a League member since 2008. She has been a Board member of both the Kitsap and Thurston Leagues. Shelley has been active in a wide variety of League activities at both the local and state levels, including candidate forums, working on the state debates. state and local studies and serving on various committees.  

Work/Volunteer Life: Shelley is a retired attorney, with experience in municipal, land use and environmental law. She previously held positions on several local nonprofit boards.  

Personal:  Shelley resides in Lacey with her husband and two dogs.   

I believe strongly in the League’s work, educating voters and studying and taking positions on difficult issues. One thing I love about the League is that I am continually learning. We have an amazing group of members with a fierce dedication to defending democracy. I look forward to helping steer the League and assisting efforts in any way I can. 

Director: Beth Pellicciotti, Spokane Area 

Beth’s League experience includes being president of the LWV of the Spokane Area, (2019-2020), First Vice President of LWVWA (2023-present), a member of the LWVWA Nominating Committee (2021-2023), and Chair of the LWVWA Civic Education Committee.  She currently leads Voter Services in partnership with three League members, scheduling presentations and facilitating sharing among League members.  Her grant work with the LWVWA includes three LWVUS grants and a recent contract with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Dual Languages). 

Beth retired from her position as university administrator at Purdue University Northwest after 35 years of service. Her work involved student career development, enrollment management, strategic planning, and academic accreditation. 

When I retired, I chose League work because of the importance of its mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. Being new to Spokane, I met many inspiring League members and learned about the community and the best ways to serve it through voter outreach, civic education, and advocacy. State League work has been a similar experience for me—meeting inspiring members and supporting the work of local Leagues statewide.

Director: Nancy Halvorson, Clark County 

Nancy joined the Clark County League in 2017 and has served as the President, Co-President,Vice-President, Voter Services and Civics Chair and currently is the chair of the Observer Corps. Nonpartisanship, the Observer Corps, relationship-building, and education of the members and public drew her to the League. This flows right into her work with the MELD portfolio—Membership, Engagement, Leadership and Development. 

Her background includes a lifetime of volunteering with civic and service organizations, 39 years in the financial services industry, and she is a fused glass artist. She lives in Vancouver, WA, with her husband and enjoys travels with their 2 grown children. Outside of glass, walking, and reading keep her energized.

Director: Aly Welch, Pullman Area

Alyssa (Aly) Welch is the current President of the League of Women Voters of Pullman andWhitman County and has been an active member since 2020. She also serves as theCommunity Outreach Coordinator for the Pullman League’s Visual Arts Competition for students across Whitman County. Since 2020, Aly has volunteered over 450 hours in Washington, many of which have been with the League, the Pullman Police Advisory Committee, the Palouse Conservation District, and various scholarship pageants for women across the state. As a driven community member, Aly represented Washington at the National Sweetheart Pageant in September of 2023, where she was awarded a national Community Service Award for her work in her home state. In continuation of her volunteer work with the League of Women Voters, Aly hopes to be elected to a position with the Washington League and help pave the way for the future of the League and voters everywhere. As an experienced community leader, she plans to learn all she can about leadership within the League of Women Voters of Washington.  

By Mary Coltrane, LWVWA President

Your LWVWA Board of Directors, with the able assistance of Administrative Director Amy Peloff, is hard at work finalizing details for our bi-annual Council. The League of Women Voters of Thurston County is kindly hosting the event, which will be May 31 (optional), June 1, and June 2 at South Puget Sound Community College. Please see the accompanying article, "Get Ready for the LWVWA's 2024 Council!," for more important details.

You may have heard: 2024 is a critical year for democracy. The League is on board to support democracy in every way we can, and Council can help with that. Our agenda is packed with speakers, workshops and caucuses. There will also be a plenary session where the work of the Nominating Committee, the 2024-2026 Board Nominees, will be voted on.

Here's what's expected for the workshops:

Summertime is Voter Services time in the League. Voter registration tables and candidate forums are important ways League members connect with the public so voters can cast an informed ballot. Workshops to hone member skills in these areas include Nuts and Bolts of Candidate Forums and Tabling with a Purpose. New or newly-active members will find a great way to plug in to League with these events. If you are an old hand, you will learn tips to engage new members.

Other workshops span the gamut of the League's mission-driven work. From the LWVWA Lobby Team to Program to how to use the information garnered from our recent Research Study conducted by Washington State University, your League will learn what's coming down the pike. There are three initiatives to the people on the ballot this year. What is the League's position and why? The Lobby Team will share information about this and other topics.  

In the League's work, Program precedes action. First a study, then member consensus, finally a position. Delegates to the state convention adopted two studies and a civic education project at our 2023 Convention: Caregiving; Welcoming Immigrants, and Multi-Member Districts. Where are they in the planning year and when will the studies come to local Leagues for discussion and member consensus? When will the Multi-Member Districts project be available for local League programming? The Program Workshop will cover this.  

It takes a lot to keeping League going. Council delegates will get a chance to take advantage of the Research Project findings and brainstorm how local Leagues can communicate more effectively with diverse entities.

Finally, there will be three workshops devoted to leadership and membership engagement. Our Membership, Engagement, Leadership and Development (MELD) folks are putting together a workshop to help build membership and engage members. A workshop on speaking with one voice (when there are many), and a workshop on leadership as a balancing act will round out leadership development skills.

More information about workshops, and other aspects of Council will be available on our Council website, especially as we get closer to the time.

I look forward to seeing many folks in Lacey in June. It will be fun! 

The LWVWA, together with our host Leagues, the LWV Thurston County and LWV Mason County, cordially invite you to beautiful Lacey, Washington, for our 2024 Council! The 2024 LWVWA Biennial Council will be held on June 1 and 2, with optional activities on Friday, May 31. It will be held at the South Puget Sound Community College's Lacey Campus.  

Registration

Registration is now open! Early bird registration continues at a discounted price until May 5. There are both in-person and virtual options available. In-person registration includes lunch, happy hour, a buffet dinner on Saturday, and a continental breakfast on Sunday. Coffee, tea, water, and other beverages will also be provided.  

Schedule

There are several engaging activities planned over the weekend! League-specific activities include caucuses, workshops, and plenaries throughout the weekend. There will also be plenty of opportunities to socialize via shared meals, a complementary happy hour, and a walking tour of the Capitol Campus.  

Lodging

There are two hotels within an easy 6-minute walk from the Council venue:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey—we have a block of 15 rooms with 2 queen beds reserved for a discounted group price. See our Council website for more information and booking instructions.   
  
  
• Candlewood Suites Olympia/Lacey—while we have not reserved a block of rooms, if you prefer to make your own meals, you may prefer staying at this hotel, as their rooms have fully furnished in-room kitchens.

Homestays are also available, though limited in number. Priority will be given to those with financial need. Contact Darlene Hein for more information.  

We Want YOU to Help Shape Council

We invite local Leagues, committees, and other groups to set up (and staff) display tables for Council attendees so folks can learn more about your work!  

We are also seeking folks interested in holding a caucus on topics of their choice! Caucuses are informal gatherings outside of the regular business meeting times (after the evening program). They may encompass a wide range of topics, from resource/knowledge sharing about the League’s work to generating interest in a new taskforce, committee, or toolkit.  

For more information about caucusing/tabling, or to request a caucus or a table, see our Council website.

In Star Trek, a “mind meld” is a kind of telepathic touch that enables the rapid sharing of knowledge and experience. Unfortunately for (at least most of) us, we are neither telepathic nor within touching distance of each other, so we have created a MELD Network* to provide a mechanism to better share tools, methods, practices, and accomplishments across the state with each other. 

The “League Mind MELD” column is a way to share even more information to all our members across the state. This column will run each month and will include the responses we receive to the questions posed at the end of the previous month’s column.   

April’s MELD Moment

Nonpartisanship, what does that mean to you? What does DEI mean to you? These are important facets of the League’s work but can be viewed differently by different people. With so many people, and so many views, all working collectively under the umbrella of "the League," it is important to have a shared understanding of these terms and how they guide our work.  

To this end, the LWVWA recently completed the process of updating our nonpartisan policy for use in our work. (A basic nonpartisan statement can also be found on our website.) In a similar fashion, the LWVUS updated the national DEI policy in January 2024—and it’s strongly recommended that local Leagues update their policies to reflect the LWVUS DEI policies. 

So, what about your League? Does your League post its nonpartisan policy in its newsletters, website, or press releases? Is the nonpartisan policy read at the election forums hosted by your League? Similarly, what are your League’s DEI policies, and where are they displayed? 

The League Mind MELD

Last month, we asked: “How do you respond when someone asks you ‘what does the League do?’” and “How is the League different from other nonpartisan groups?”

Below is a sample of responses we received:

Something that sets the League apart is its statements at the beginning of each election forum: “. . . As an organization the League is nonpartisan; it does not support or oppose candidates for public office. Also, the League is a strong proponent of Civil discourse in our proceedings. Civil Discourse means, at minimum, mutually respectful, courteous, constructive and orderly communications.”

“The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. Locally we arrange for candidate forums, register voters, and advocate for public policy based on issues we have studied. We publish The State We’re In: Washington, a textbook used in Washington state used to teach civics in both Spanish and English.”

“When I craft an answer to those questions, I first write down all our League's achievements that I am proud of. Next, I use the words “Here is what I do in our League...” and add in why I love doing this work. I strive to create intrigue and curiosity. Finally, I invite the person to an interesting League Activity.”

April’s question: What are some of your favorite “get-together” events that strengthen the ties and friendships that we enjoy with League members? 

Please send responses to Nancy Halvorson, MELD Director, by May 1.  

* In the context of the League, MELD actually has zero connection to Star Trek; it is an acronym for Membership, Engagement, Leadership, and Development. MELD pods meet each month to serve as platforms for sharing successes, addressing challenges, and exchanging ideas among local Leagues. Are you interested in learning more about MELD? Talk to your Local League Leadership about becoming involved in MELD. Are you interested in learning more about MELD? Talk to your Local League Leadership about becoming involved in MELD.

The League of Women Voters of Washington pursues education and advocacy to protect democracy and the right to vote through informed and active participation in government and increased understanding of major public policy issues. When you make a legacy gift to the LWVWA, you are doing something impactful for future generations in your community. 

As you make your financial and charitable giving plans for this year, you may want to plan for the future. You can make a legacy gift in a variety of ways, including an outright bequest or by designating the LWVWA Education Fund as a beneficiary to your retirement assets or life insurance policy. 

Maximize your Tax Advantage 

In addition to cashdonations (or an equivalent), you may want to consider other ways to give to maximize your tax advantage. 

• Stocks: You can take a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock, but you don’t have to pay tax on the gain from appreciation. 
   

• Real Property: Donating your primary home, your vacation home, or other property can reduce capital gains tax as well as give you a charitable deduction. 
   

• Retirement Accounts: If you are at least 70 and 1/2 years old, you may make a distribution of up to $100,000 from your IRA to the League, and it will not be considered income to you. 

Consult with your legal and financial advisors to learn how a gift would work in your circumstances. Laws and regulations governing all gifts and availability of certain life income gifts vary. In addition to providing a wonderful legacy for the community, bequests decrease the size of your taxable estate. 

Giving Options 

The LWVWA offers multiple ways to give:  

• Unrestricted gifts: These gifts support daily operations including voter education efforts, youth programs, and citizen education on issues. 

• Endowment gifts: Gifts made to the Centennial Fund provide income used for League operations. 

When you name the LWVWA or LWVWA Education Fund to receive a gift through your estate, you play a personal role in protecting democracy’s future. Learn more about legacy giving at our website.

The process of redistricting is fundamental to your voting power. The last cycle happened in 2021, but now, in March 2024, Washington will have new legislative district lines to be used in 2024 elections. The remedy to the Soto Palmer v Hobbs lawsuit that declared LD15 discriminatory will produce a new central Washington district that will ensure Latino voters can elect a candidate of their choice. There will also be changes in as many as 13 districts that will affect many other people. 

Recent years have brought a significant rise of mis- and disinformation on a number of critical topics—including election security—which has caused concern about the integrity of our elections. Our current times have also illuminated the importance of news literacy; democracy needs informed participants who can tell if what they read, watch or hear is fact or fiction.

To aid in increased news literacy in Washington, and show how our elections are safe, secure, and accurate, the LWVWA has added two ACT via Zoom sessions on these topics, extending the program beyond Washington's legislative session. The two additional sessions will be on March 18 and 25, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. As always, all League members (and their guests) are invited!

The March 18 session, News Literacy for an Election Year, will focus on news and information in our current political environment. It will feature Chelsey Cartwright, LWVUS Program Manager for the Democracy Truth Project. Cartwright will join us from the “other” Washington, where she works to counter mis-and disinformation and advance a better public understanding of democratic and electoral processes. Cartwright works with Leagues across the country to develop and implement training sessions and events that advance this mission.

The March 25 session, Election Security: Your Ballot’s Journey, will answer questions about election protocols. This session will feature Garth Fell, the Snohomish County Auditor, and will detail the entire journey each ballot takes during an election. Fell will discuss both the electoral process and election security in Washington.

Folks who attend the two sessions will learn information and skills to help dispel mis-and disinformation about election security and increase media literacy among our communities.

If you are already registered for ACT via Zoom sessions, you’ll receive links to the two new sessions automatically on March 18 and 25. If you have not yet registered, but would like to attend, you can register here. There is also one remaining ACT via Zoom from the original schedule on March 11, which will feature a legislative wrap up from LWVWA's Advocacy Team.

You can find links to the previous ACT via Zoom sessions on our YouTube channel.

The League of Women Voters of the United States will be holding its biennial convention from June 27-30 in Washington D.C. The LWVWA is hoping a significant number of delegates from Washington's local Leagues will be able to attend—either virtually or in person—to support our Local News positions.    

The LWVWA is very excited to be promoting our Local News positions for concurrence at the National Convention. Our Program Chair, Shelley Kneip has been working hard to encourage Leagues throughout our state, and across the country, to submit our Local News positions for concurrence at National Convention. The Local News Committee has also worked tirelessly to answer questions from Leagues about what it would mean if LWVUS adopted our positions, making them available for use by every League in the country.

All of this work is the culmination of the study and consensus process LWVWA began in January 2021. Last year, local Leagues throughout Washington read our study, The Decline of Local News and Democracy, and then discussed it and came to a member consensus. The LWVWA Board adopted the positions derived from this consensus process. Now, we are ready to take these positions to the national League Convention so they can be used to lobby at local, state and federal levels of government. This process is the foundation of all League advocacy and demonstrates democracy in action within our organization.   

We also act on democratic principles when we send delegates to convention. Delegates are selected according to each League's bylaws, and they are informed about the issues at hand, but not instructed on how to vote. Delegates carry the duty of voting with the interests of League members who don't attend in mind. This is extremely important, because LWVUS bylaws, nominations, budget, and Program affect each League and how the League overall functions and operates.

Delegates must study up on the topics proposed at the National Convention, so they can represent their Leagues—however, ultimately, the votes they cast belong to them. This is what we see in a representative government and this is how League operates as well. 

The LWVWA has formed the National Convention Planning Group so we can maximize our delegation's impact in all of the above areas. We will be reaching out to Washington's local Leagues to provide opportunities for caucusing and to learn about our Local News positions in a friendly and fun manner. All League members will be invited to the caucuses so the delegates can hear from them, and local Leagues may also have caucuses of their own. All of these opportunities are intended to connect with our grassroots, because the League is first and foremost a grassroots organization.  

Look for an email with more information about LWVWA's first caucus in May. We'll also caucus again during LWVWA's Council in Olympia, on May 31-June 2. I hope to see you at LWVWA's caucus and Council!

In League,

Mary Coltrane, LWVWA President