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The VOTER~October 2026

LWVCC Communications

The VOTER

October 2026

Candidate Forum
Oct. 1, Thursday, 5-7:30 p.m., Ridgefield Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield

National Voter Education Week
Oct. 5-9

"Take Back the Maps"
Oct. 6, Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Redistricting Reform Task Force briefing on bill proposal for 2027. Registration required.

Coffee with the League
Oct. 7, Wednesday, 9-10:30 a.m., Garden Room at Latte Da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar, 205 E 39th St., Vancouver
Register to let us know you are coming.

Monthly Membership Meeting
Oct. 10, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver
Join us for All About Charter Amendments + General Election, with guest Janet Landesberg, LWVCC member and Charter Review Commissioner.

Candidate Forum
Oct. 14, Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St., Vancouver

No Kings: Vote Early
Oct. 17, Saturday, noon-2 p.m., Gretchen Fraser Neighborhood Park, 522 SE 155th Ave., Vancouver

Election Hero Day
Oct. 20

Vote Early Day
Oct. 27

General Election Day
Nov. 3

Monthly Membership Meeting
Nov. 14, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver

By Tracy Reilly Kelly
LWVCC President

Election season is in full force and democracy needs your voice! Did you know that it was the U.S. League that brought the mail voting lawsuit, decided in favor of democracy by the Supreme Court? That’s why we joined the League, wasn’t it? I joined for so many reasons, not just for the company of outstanding minds, but also for the resources! My career included academic research, and that meant quality sources to cite. The League has a resource library that is just out of this world! When you joined, you got access to all these resources.

Where do I start? Our righteous website! Now, be sure to begin by clicking the member login at top right corner first, to get these jewels of insight. Notice we are listing our candidate forums. If you can go in person – do! You’ll take in more, but you can also sit back at home and watch at leisure - the CVTV webpage has a dedicated site.

When I give a speech or write a letter, I head to website’s Advocacy resources. In September’s member meeting, we talked about writing letters to the editor. Please write one. Write it in your own voice, with your own signature. I encourage you to use, even copy lines from our terrific resources – I do. Do know that as a policy, only the president speaks for the League. Write your letter in your own words. That’s power.

Back to the website: Check out “Resist Threats to Democracy” (our brand). You get a biweekly newsletter from this arm of the League. That is our strongest resource. In the “Advocacy: Actions” section you can learn about our positions on several state initiatives. We are encouraging voters to vote no on IL26-001 (parents’ rights in schools), IL26-638 (restricting trans girls’ sports participation), and IP26-645 (repealing the tax on income above $1 million).

To help you decide on what actions to take or comment upon, we send you “Action Alerts” in the Resist Threats newsletter. Our staff and lobbyists both at state and national have their ears pricked upright to convey information on what are the most immediate issues, that, frankly, are perils to representative democracy. LWVUS is concerned that we have a constitutional crisis and we need as citizens to hold power accountable. Please write a letter, talk to your neighbor, tell others in this community what you wish to see in our shared future. Your time is now.

League hosts four candidate forums
ahead of General Election

The Clark County League has scheduled four candidate forums ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Candidates for state House District 17, Position 1, Clark County Auditor and Public Utility Commissioner, District 3 participated in a forum Sept. 23 at the Vancouver Community Library.

On Sept. 30, candidates for state House District 17, Position 2 answered questions at the Camas Public Library.

An Oct. 1 forum at the Ridgefield Public Library will feature those running for state House District 18, Positions 1 and 2; state House District 20, Position 2 and County Council, District 5.

And a forum on Oct. 14 at the Vancouver Community Library will feature candidates for state House District 49, Position 2, and Clark County Clerk.

The public is invited to attend the forums in person or to watch them on government access channel CVTV or cvtv.org. For details about the forums, see the candidate forum page on our website.

No Kings: Vote Early rally set for Oct. 17

The League is a national partner for the No Kings: Vote Early rallies that will take place around the country on Oct. 17. Here in Vancouver, the League will participate, with a table and a speech by our president, Tracy Reilly Kelly. Plan to join us at noon at Gretchen Fraser Neighborhood Park, 522 SE 155th Ave.

Citizen 411: all about the General Election

In the October podcast, Tracy, Teresa and Rachel offer insights on the Nov. 3 General Election. They will break down the initiatives, both locally and statewide. Learn about assets and knowledge you can use to make the big decisions that will affect your future.

Tune in every month to Citizen 411
KXRW independent radio - 99.9 FM
The show airs at 8:15 a.m. on the first Tuesday each month and is released as a podcast shortly thereafter.

Observing government: Charter amendments

Confused by the nine county charter amendments that will be on the November ballot? We have resources for that!

First, check out our Observer Corps blog on the website, where your fellow League members have been attending meetings and writing about them. Click on April and May on the bar on the left to read the background on the amendments recommended by the Charter Review Commission. Then this month, LWV member and Charter Review Commissioner Janet Landesberg will give her perspective at our monthly member meeting. The LWVCC board also has been studying the amendments to offer you information and perspective. And there will be town halls around the county in October – make it a priority to attend one.

Constitution Day

Our Constitution Day event, co-sponsored by The Historic Trust at Fort Vancouver, was standing-room only! The audience listened to speakers, played a game about their knowledge of the Constitution, and browsed our table.

Watch our slideshow:

Peace & Justice Fair

Mande Weaver gives a civics quiz question to attendees at the Peace & Justice Fair

National Voter Registration Day at WSUV

League members spoke with about 40 students, registered eight new voters and had detailed discussions with at least 15 students Sept. 15 at our National Voter Registration Day event at Washington State University-Vancouver. Members emphasized using the ballot box on campus as well as the importance of the Voters Guide.

Mary Austin-Seymour worked with Keeley Reid, director of legislative affairs for the Associated Students of WSUV, to organize the event. Other participating League members were Julie D’Addario, Jane Pallister, Renee Gaasch and Brenda Lillge.

Happy Hour with the League

League members gathered at four locations around the county in August and September for Happy Hour with the League. Pictured here: Happy Hours at Chez Torrres (also known as Teresa and Genaro Torres’ home) in east Vancouver, 3Peaks Public House & Taproom in Ridgefield, and

Columbia Winery in Ridgefield.

Chez Torres

3Peaks Public House & Taproom

Columbia Winery

Craft a winning letter to the editor

Member Kate Hobbie gave a mini lesson at the September membership meeting on how to write a letter to the editor. Her tips are EPIC: engage the reader, state the problem, inform about a solution and give a call to action. One caveat: Only our president can speak for the League. So write those letters, but speak only for yourself (and keep the letter to 200 words!). You can see Kate’s full workshop here.

CDM Caregiving raising funds for chairs

CDM Caregiving Services, where we hold our monthly member meetings, is raising funds to buy 90 new chairs. CDM wants to raise $22,500 for the new chairs as part of Give More 24. (While that date is past, you can still donate!) The first $6,000 will be matched. We sit on their chairs every month and we know they are getting wobbly. CDM doesn’t charge us any rent. Let’s help them out!

New affinity groups welcome new members

The state League recently launched a Data Center Affinity Group and is welcoming new members. The group meets monthly via Zoom at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. State Advocacy Chair Marty Gibbins said the group formed in response to growing interest in data centers - their resource demands and the opportunities they present. Discussions will likely include artificial intelligence, which intersects with issues such as the environment, news reporting, health care and mental and behavioral health.

If you're interested in Immigration and Immigrant Rights, this affinity group is for you. Contact Susan Martin with "Immigrant Rights Affinity Group" in the subject line. The group could offer support through expert presentations and potentially assist the Lobby Team's legislative work.

Take Back the Maps

Learn how to advocate for a visible, accountable government with meaningful public participation. The Redistricting Reform Task Force is drafting legislation for the 2027 legislative session in Olympia. Based on feedback from democracy organizations around the state, the legislation is intended to fix what can be fixed by statute to improve the redistricting process now. Learn more at the task force’s Oct. 6 briefing, “Take Back the Maps.” Registration is required - see the link above in Save the Date.

Voter Services and Civics Education:
out and about to talk about the election

We’ll again work with Junior Girl Scouts to complete their Democracy Badge requirements through lessons and activities about local government and creating flyers to promote voting in their neighborhood this fall.

Look for League members at the Salmon Creek Farmers Harvest Market on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to remind voters of the Nov. 3 election, answer questions about safe and secure elections in Clark County, and help register voters and fill out a ballot. Stop by for some fresh produce and a chance to discuss the League.

On Nov. 7, Sara Bennett, Char O’Day, and Mary Schick will once again co-table with the League of Women Voters of Oregon as more than 1,000 Oregon and Southwest Washington Girl Scouts attend STEM Day at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center in Salem, Ore.