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 Events 2018-2019 and Upcoming Events pages for more details

National Voting Registration Day Sept. 25

National Voter Registration Day, a nation-wide campaign to register voters, is set for Tuesday, Sept. 25. Certified volunteer Deputy Voter Registrars will be available on September 25 at the locations and times show below of Sept. 25, in order to give Smith County residents to register by the October 9 deadline for voting in the November 6 General Election. Don't miss this opportunity to be ready for voting.

LOCATION	TIME
Lindale Lillie Russell Library 200 E. Hubbard Street	11 am – 2 pm
Texas College Glass Library	11 am-1:30 pm
TJC Vaughn Library 1327 S. Baxter Ave	10 am-2 pm
Tyler Public Library 201 South College	11 am- 2 pm
Troup Jarvis Municipal Library 102 S. Georgia St.	1 – 3 pm
UT Tyler Muntz Library 3900 University Blvd	8 am—5 pm
Whitehouse Community Library 107 Bascom Rd	11 am –1 pm
Glass Recreation Cent 501 W 32nd St, Tyler	5 - 7 pm

Voting 101

Thursday, October 18, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Tyler Public Library, 201 South College. FREE

Learn the basics of voting in Texas: how to register, how and where to vote. Discuss techniques for how to watch a debate. The program is part of the Tyler Public Library's Adulting 101 Series. To see a list of other programs in the series, go to library.cityoftyler.org

See the Benefits of Becoming an LWV Sponsor or Donor

You can help Make Democracy Work! Click here to see the table of sponsor acknowledgments for gifts in the $100—$5,000 range. Do you have to be a business to sponsor? NO. Individuals receive the same sponsor acknowledgments based on gift level.

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.

By entering one’s home address on VOTE411.org voters can compare candidate responses to League questions and much more! They can find their polling places and build a ballot, seeing the races and comparing candidates' positions side-by-side. You can print out a "ballot," indicating your preferences as a reminder, and take it with you to the polls on Election Day.

At the website VOTE411.org, for the 2018 Primary Election voters in the Smith County area will find candidate responses to questions critical to voters, as well as background information on the candidates.

Thanks to special funding from LWV-Texas Education Fund, the online voters’ guide VOTE411 will be available to area voters for the 2018 Primary Election.

Join the League or Give a Gift Membership

Membership in the League is a meaningful gift that keeps on giving. Use the Paypal button below to make someone a member of the League.

Individual membership $70
Two in same household $105
College Student $25
High School Student $10

Use credit or debit card

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.

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.