LWV Home | League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County

Women and Men

Making Democracy Work!

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

LWV: Where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. Find out more about the informative activities planned by this organization dedicated to involving citizens in government.

What's Coming Next?

Also see Calendar 2015-2016 and Upcoming Events page for more details.

National Voter Registration Day

Congratulations to the League of Women Voters & AAUW for registering 84 voters in one day!

Nine volunteer deputy registrars at seven locations made a huge impact toward MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK!

Expanded Voter ID

U. S. Federal Court Expands Documents Texas Voters Can Use When Voting

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled recently that the Texas voter photo ID law violates the Voting Rights Act because of its racially discriminatory effects. The Court, in making its ruling, ordered the Federal District Court in Corpus Christi to find the appropriate remedy as soon as possible.

Besides the ID we already know about, listed below, the following have been added:

· valid voter registration certificate; · certified birth certificate;

· current utility bill; · bank statement; · government check; · paycheck,

· any other government document that displays your name and an address as proof of who you are.

Also if you use any of these new ID's, you must also complete and sign a reasonable impediment declaration. This form will be provided to you if you should need it at the polling location.

The reasonableness of your impediment to obtaining the previously required ID shall not be questioned by election officials.

Other acceptable IDs

-Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

-Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

-Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

-Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS

-United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph

-United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

-United States passport

LWV on Display

October 3 - 31 at the Tyler Public Library -

2nd Floor Display Case

Learn some of the 70-year history of the woman suffrage movement, as well as the 64-year history of the League of Women Voters here in Tyler.

This November election marks 10 years that VOTE411.org, the League’s innovative one-stop voter information hub, has been online. It is both an on-line voter registration tool and serves as an on-line voter’s guide to candidates and ballot issues.

At the website VOTE411.org, voters in the Smith County area will find candidate responses to questions critical to voters, as well as background information on the candidates.

LWV Government Watchdogs

Join the LWV Observer Corps! Observer Corps Initial Training--

Watch for Training Date & Time

Genecov Room-Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce-315 North Broadway

Beginning in October, LWV Smith County will train volunteers to solidify an “Observer Corps,” intended to enhance the ability of the League and interested citizens to help assure openness, transparency, and accountability of local Boards and Commissions. The federal and state laws that govern government-held information and meetings are often referred to as “Sunshine” laws.

The premise behind “Sunshine” or “openness in government” is that everyday people have the right to know what actions their government is taking.

Volunteers will be trained in the Texas Public Information Act, and the Open Meetings Law, outlining how these apply to state and local governmental bodies.

The Observer Corp will benefit the community by:

· Engaging and empowering individuals to act as eyes and ears at public meetings

· Connecting observers with elected officials

· Promoting open, transparent, and accountable government

Training also will incorporate an overview and understanding of the priorities of the 2016/2017 League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County, which include voters service, “Money in Politics,” and a study of single member voting districts, among other issues.

“Sunshine” has been a national League priority since 2005 to open dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. The Smith County League encourage both members and non-members to become involved in this unique opportunity to participate in their own local public government. Training will be free. For further information, please contact the Observer Corp coordinator:

Marilyn Wills at mgdesertwills@gmail.com or 903-630-1033.

No-Agenda Lunch Wednesday, October 12, 11:30

Oliveto's -3709 Troup Highway

No RSVP Needed

U.S. Naturalization Ceremony

Friday April 8- Federal Courthouse

Several sessions of the U.S. Naturalization ceremony are held each year in the Federal Building, with a U.S. Magistrate presiding. The next one is April 8. If you are able to volunteer to register new citizens as voters for these ceremonies, please contact Toni Ferrell. You will be glad that you did.

Please notify Toni Ferrell if you can participate in this or other voter registration events. Call 903-525-9975 or email to tonief4@gmail.com

Love the League!

The year-long celebration marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters of the United States culminates on February 14, the day of the League’s founding. We have selected this date to stage a non-event for those who Love the League, giving members and the community the option of NOT attending an event.

So when you receive your Love the League invitation in the mail, be glad that you do not have to brave the winter cold to show your love! Instead, donate to support the League’s efforts to Make Democracy Work.

Wish the League of Women Voters a Happy Birthday with your continued support and encouragement.

95 Years Making Democracy Work

In February the League of Women Voters kicked off a year-long celebration marking the organization’s 95^th anniversary. The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County joins the nearly 800 fellow local and state chapters in honoring this milestone.

“Ninety-five years after the League’s founding, members of the League in Tyler are proud of the great progress it has made in Making Democracy Work ,” says president Mary Claire Rowe. “The League in Tyler has involved thousands of voters in electing government decision makers for our city and county governments and in holding them accountable for their actions.”

Today's barriers to the right to vote certainly look different than they did when the League was founded, but they remain threats to voter participation here all the same. Our efforts to take on discrimination and improve our government in our democracy continue today.

As we mark the League’s 95^th anniversary, and see our 100^th birthday quickly approaching, we celebrate our many accomplishments. League members throughout East Texas are keeping our eyes and our energies firmly on the future and the actions we will be undertaking to realize our goal: A better East Texas and a better America.

Readership Survey

Please help us to better communicate with members and the public by taking this Readership Survey regarding the League of Women Voters' newsletter, the Tyler/Smith County VOTER.

Thank you for your input.