The VOTER~July 2026

Candidate Forum (County Council, Public Utility Commission)
July 2, Thursday, 5-7:30 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St., Vancouver

Historic Trust America 250 Celebration
July 3, Friday, 12-5 p.m. Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver

Candidate Forum (Legislative Districts 17 and 49)
July 3, Friday, 5-6:30 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St., Vancouver

Coffee with the League
July 6, Monday, 9-10:30 a.m., outdoor patio at Latte Da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar, 205 E 39th St., Vancouver
Register here.

Virtual Member Orientation
July 9, Thursday, 4-5 p.m.
All members are welcome to attend orientation sessions on zoom.
Register here (Members only - login required).

Membership Meeting
July 11, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver, in person and on zoom

Pride in the Park
July 11, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St. Vancouver
Volunteers are needed (Members only - login required).

Candidate Forum (County Auditor and Clerk)
July 12, Sunday, 2-3:30 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St., Vancouver

Battle Ground Pride
Aug. 1, Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Battle Ground Community Center, 940 E. Main St., Battle Ground
Volunteers are needed (Members only - login required).

Primary Election
Aug. 4, Tuesday

Voting Rights Day of Action
Aug. 8, Saturday, details TBA

Annual LWVCC Picnic
Aug. 15, Saturday noon-2 p.m., Knotty Pine Shelter, Lewisville Regional Park, 26411 NE Lewisville Highway, Battle Ground

By Tracy Reilly Kelly
LWVCC President

Our concern for a democratic republic with justice for all is heavy as we celebrate our nation’s founding July 4. I’m an historian, and our patriot ancestors were absolutely clear that they wanted no monarchy – and due process was our cardinal issue. It still is.

Please read our Action Alerts and use our language and resources in our “Resist Threats to Democracy” section. It is patriotic to dissent, and our commitment to testimony runs deep. Write letters to the editor and your representatives and make your wise voice heard. Remember that you sign and refer as yourself, rather than speaking for the League.

Yet – let’s celebrate this brilliant accomplishment – a new nation! On July 3, come join us tabling at the America 250 Celebration sponsored by The Historic Trust at Fort Vancouver, our contribution to the national civic conversation.

The Columbian has created a special historic edition, published on June 27. I submitted two articles on early women’s history.

We are celebrating at festivals all over town – and need your help. Pride in the Park is next! Please log in as a member to the volunteering page of our website and sign up for a shift.

Our national League has encouraged local Leagues to take part in the National Day of Action Aug. 8. This is the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. We are collaborating with LULAC for an exciting dialogue called the Skeptic’s Picnic – we have received a $500 grant to support this. It is innovative – you will love it! Contact me to learn more – we need helpers.

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling against a majority black congressional district in Louisiana, the League must meet this moment with clarity, coordination, and sustained action. Your board, guided by national and state positions, is working hard to make good decisions on where we make our voice heard. This summer, as we create our goals, we are working together on where we should place our strongest advocacy, and how we will engage the public in protecting our democracy.

There are several initiatives that the state has studied and created positions on. We are recommending against four initiatives:

Decline to Sign IP26-500, which is the problematic Voter ID bill. The deadline for submission of this was July 1.
Vote “NO” to Protect Vulnerable Kids - LWVWA Opposes IL26-001 & IL26-638:
- IL26-001: Removes protection for abused children. Restricts students’ access to help.
- IL26-638: Replaces Washington’s successful policy with a blanket ban.
Tracking initiative to roll back millionaires’ tax. LWVWA supported the legislation. More to come.

League schedules three forums,
congressional candidate interviews

The League has scheduled three forums ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election, featuring candidates for state House, Clark County Council, Clark County auditor, Clark County clerk and the Public Utility Commission.

The public is invited to attend the forums in person or to watch them on government access channel CVTV or cvtv.org. In addition, we will interview the nine candidates for the 3rd Congressional District and post those videos on our website and social media, as well as CVTV’s website.

Following are the details of the in-person forums. All will be at the Vancouver Community Library’s Columbia Room:

July 2, 5-7:30 p.m.

Clark County Councilor, District 1
Clark County Councilor, District 2
Clark Public Utilities Commissioner, District 3

July 3, 5-6:30 p.m.

Legislative District 17, State Representative, Position 1
Legislative District 49, State Representative, Position 1

July 12, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Clark County Auditor
Clark County Clerk

Scenes from LWVWA Council in June

LWVUS Monthly Update

On June 22, a judge ended the attempt by the federal administration to unlawfully meddle in elections. The ruling came in the case League of Women Voters v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. LWVUS’ chief of activation and justice, Marcia Johnson, said: “Today’s decision is a resounding victory for voters. Efforts to create a federal voter database to facilitate voter purges threaten the fundamental right at the heart of democracy.”

A federal court ruled that “nonpartisan organizations could continue with their legal challenge to President Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting ahead of the upcoming 2026 primaries and mid-term elections.”

In response to the FBI’s raid on an Ohio nonpartisan, nonprofit voting rights organization, LWV is urging Americans to “recognize and reject an escalating pattern of voter silencing, intimidation, and suppression as the country moves closer to the November midterm elections.”

LWVUS CEO Celina Stewart writes, “Juneteenth invites a larger question: What does this day mean? What does it symbolize for our democracy and for each of us, regardless of race?”

Member Orientation scheduled July 9

July 9 is the next date for our virtual Member Orientation. We welcome all members to attend these sessions, from new to longer time members. These sessions over an overview of our League’s website and include information on how you can volunteer to help at upcoming events, learn about our committees, and find lots of resources about how the League does its work in our communities. Bring your questions and let us know of your areas of interest as we tailor our presentations to what our attendees want to learn about.

Members need to log into their account on our website to access the event calendar to register. Please contact membership@lwvclarkcounty.org for more information or to get help.

Volunteers still needed for tabling events

Don’t let our seat at the table go empty! Community festivals are one of the most effective ways we connect with voters, share trusted information, and advance the League's mission.

This summer, we've received more invitations than we have volunteers -- and we've already had to decline two events because we couldn't staff a table. You can help change that.

Tabling is easy, rewarding, and a great way to meet people in the community. No experience is necessary. You'll always be paired with an experienced League volunteer. Just a few hours of your time can help us reach hundreds of potential voters and ensure the League has a presence when our community calls.

Sign up to volunteer here. (You will need to log in as a member.) Have questions? Contact Teresa Torres at lwvcccivics@gmail.com or call 360 608-7421.

Defending a Democracy Under Siege:
People Power Summer!

This is our moment! The League is launching a new strategy this summer to fully activate what we do best - our mighty grassroots power. We must speak out to reaffirm and protect issues, people, and organizations working to protect our democracy.

We are embracing a bolder new reality and changing our motto to “Defending Democracy Under Siege.” On Aug. 8, join the League and our partners as we host a nationwide day of civic action in honor of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We will form a task force to focus on this action through our Advocacy team. Can you take part? Can you be a leader for this one action? Please contact Kate Castenson at lwvccadvocacy@gmail.com.

Plan for Picnic Potluck in August

Summer is coming and that means picnic time. Our annual summer picnic potluck will be Aug. 15 at noon. We are switching things up with a new destination, Lewisville Regional Park, two miles north of Battle Ground at 26411 NE Lewisville Hwy.

There was concern that our plans would be upended when we heard about a fire at Lewisville. However, our reserved shelter, Knotty Pine, was not affected. So mark your calendars and find your best picnic recipe.

Directions and all the details will be provided as we get closer to the date.

Observer Corps Update

The Clark County Charter Review Commission will vote July 8 on which amendments will go forward for the November ballot. As part of that process, county experts review each proposal for budget impacts and legal requirements. Please do your own research as those impacts won't necessarily be spelled out on the ballot. We continue to be disappointed in the attendance at town halls and public participation. Learn more here.

The County Council and the County Planning Commission continue to meet regarding the update to the Comprehensive Plan. We are watching with great interest as the plan will set the tone for county quality of life for years to come. Details on meetings and materials can be found here.

We have been checking up on the process for appointing the trustees for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. Stay tuned for what we have found out.

You can check out our blog for observer notes on these and other meetings of interest.

Citizen 411: Public Servant Extraordinaire Jaynee Cavaness

Tracy, Teresa and Rachel are in awe of strong public service. Jaynee Cavaness, former chair of the Vancouver Parks and Recreation Commission, and onboarding Fort Vancouver Library Board member, is an example of putting thought into commitment action. Learn how she created a life dedicated to serving her community and her family and what her ideas are to implement a vision of a finer Vancouver and Clark County. Jaynee will speak to the expanded park services we are all enjoying from her tenure.

Jaynee Cavaness