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.

 

U.S. Naturalization Ceremony

Tuesday, September 26, 10 a.m.                                    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 

 

National Voter Registration Day Sept. 26

Voter Registration September 26, 2017

Volunteer Deputy Registrars Are Available to Register Voters or Handle Address Changes. See Below Acceptable ID Needed  

  • Tyler Public Library, 201 So. College, Tyler, 10 am-2 pm
  • Lillie Russell Memorial Library, 200 East Hubbard, Lindale, 10 am- 2 pm
  • UT Tyler, Student Center, 10 am- 2 pm

More Locations Posted Soon

Glass Recreation Center,  501 West 32nd Street,  TylerBullard Community Library, 211 W. Main St., Bullard, 10am-2pm  Whitehouse Community Library, 107 Bascom Rd., Whitehouse, 10am- 2pment Union, 10 am - 2 pm Tyler Jr. College, Vaughn Library, 10 am - 2 pm

Deadline to register for Nov. election is Oct.10.

For more information, contact  lwv_vote@lwvtyler.org

 

Volunteer for Voter Registration Day

September 26, 2017

The League of Women Voters will join AAUW and other women's organizations to register voters in some 10 locations throughout Smith County one day!  To volunteer, contact Mary Lu French at lwv_vote@lwvtyler.org You can have a part in MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK!

 

Short Story Contest

October 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018

 

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.

 

This November election marks 11 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 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.

 

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.

Besides the ID already authorized, 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 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 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.