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 Events 2017-2018 and  Upcoming Events pages for more details

 

Grant to Pay for Citizenship Application

The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County has announced a grant to offset part of the citizenship application fee paid to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service when a person applies for citizenship. A grant request letter must be submitted by November 1, 2017.

For more information and grant request letter, see Citizenship Application Grant. 

Funded by the League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund as a part of the organization's Public Advocacy for Voter Protection.

 

Voters Guide to Proposed Amendments

Available now at area libraries, or download NOW

Seven proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution will appear on the November 7 ballot in Texas. A Voters Guide giving background information as researched by trustees of the LWV-Texas Education Fund, along with pro and con arguments about each proposition, will be available in early October at area public and college libraries in both English and Spanish. To download an English version, click here. To download Spanish version, click here.

 

Short Story Contest

November 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018

 

This November election marks 12 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. Pro and con arguments about the seven proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution to be on the Nov. 7 ballot will be available at VOTE411.org

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.

 

US Elections Integrity Commission

LWV-Texas Lobbies Against Data Release

The League of Women Voters of Texas has grave concerns about the release of voter information as requested by the Elections Integrity Commission. Texas League President Elaine Wiant sent a letter today to Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos expressing League concerns. The League also shared a report comparing the Commission's Interstate Crosscheck Program with the more reliable Electronic Registration Information Center.

Concerned citizens should act to protect voter information. You can also express your concerns to Secretary of State Pablos at (512) 463-5770 or secretary@sos.texas.gov.

 

Voter ID Goes Back to Court

Appeals Court, 2-1, Gives Texas OK to Use New Voter ID Law SB 5 Voters must execute a declaration that they face a reasonable impediment to vote without photo 

A divided federal appeals court has stayed a lower judge's ruling barring Texas from implementing a revised version of its voter identification law. A panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted, 2-1, to allow Texas to use the revised voter ID measure known as SB 5 beginning next year. In the meantime, interim rules used in 2016 will be in effect, the appeals court declared.

For full information on what is needed at the voting place, look here.

 

LWV Government Watchdogs

Join the LWV Observer Corps! 

Watch for Training Date & Time

The Observer Corp benefits 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

Member volunteers attend meetings of government institutions to monitor and ensure good government. Observers are asked to have an understanding of the priorities of the  League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County, which include public library services, single member voting districts, and information and referral, among other issues.

For further information, please contact the LWV President Marilyn Wills at lwv_president@lwvtyler.org or 903-630-1033.

 

U.S. Naturalization Ceremony

Throughout year to be announced

U.S. Federal Courthouse, 211 West Ferguson Street, Tyler

 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 September 26. If you are able to volunteer to register new citizens as voters for these ceremonies, please contact Mary Lu French. You will be glad that you did!

Please notify Mary Lu French if you can participate in this or other voter registration events.  Call 903-569-2040 or email to lwv_vote@lwvtyler.org 

 

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.