The VOTER~September 2026

Coffee with the League
Sept. 2, Wednesday, 9-10:30 a.m., Outdoor patio at Latte Da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar, 205 E 39th St., Vancouver
Please note - we moved to the first Wednesday this month.
Register to let us know you are coming.

Happy Hour with the League at 3Peaks Public House
Sept. 4, Friday, 5-7 p.m., 24415 NE 10th Ave., Ridgefield
Register here (Members only - login required).

Happy Hour with the League at Chez Torres
Sept. 9, Wednesday, 7-9 p.m., 17110 NE 8th St., Vancouver
Register here (Members only - login required).

Vancouver Peace & Justice Fair
Sept. 12, Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Esther Short Park, Vancouver
Volunteer here (Members only - login required).

Monthly Membership Meeting
Sept. 12, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver
What's happening with democracy? We are focusing on local advocacy during September. Kate Hobbie will tell us how to write a Letter to the Editor. Then we'll have fun in a "Speed Dating" format - table groups to learn about the key observations of the Observer Corps, and also what's new in Communications, Civics, Membership and Advocacy.

National Voter Registration Day
Sept. 15, Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Washington State University-Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave. Vancouver
Volunteer here (Members only - login required).

Constitution Day celebration sponsored by LWVCC and The Historic Trust
Sept. 17, Thursday, 4-8 p.m., Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks, 600 Hatheway Rd. Vancouver WA 98661
Volunteer here (Members only - login required).

Happy Hour with the League at Columbia Ridge Winery
Sept. 22, Tuesday, 4-6 p.m., 3006 NW 199th St., Ridgefield
Register here (Members only - login required).

LWVCC Member Orientation (zoom)
Sept. 24, Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Register here (Members only - login required).

Monthly Membership Meeting
Oct. 10, Saturday, 10 a.m. -noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver

By Tracy Reilly Kelly
LWVCC President

It begins with a preamble that says, “We the People of the United States.”

After three hot summer months of equally heated debate in 1787, a “Committee of Style and Arrangement” kneaded the U.S. Constitution into its final form, condensing 23 articles into seven in less than four days. On Sept. 17, 38 delegates signed it. In a few years, a Bill of Rights was added.

When we say we believe in empowering voters and defending democracy at the League, it all starts here. Here is where the genius of three branches of co-equal government was conceived. Here is where our freedoms of speech, religion, due process and so much more, were born.

Yet right now, these branches are not working co-equally. I invite you to talk to your neighbors about the importance of representative democracy and casting a vote. Write a letter, attend a meeting – do actions to make your opinions and thoughts part of the process that keeps our democracy flourishing. We need your voice!

And join us in celebrating the making of the Constitution at an old-fashioned teach-in at The Historic Trust on Sept.17 from 4-8 p.m. See if you can pass the Naturalization Test using Kahoot or listen to speechifying at Proclaim the Podium. There will be three lectures – John Jay, Melissa Williams, and Carolyn Long describing both the Constitution and its amendments. All the details will be on our webpage.

Benjamin Franklin famously described our government as “a republic, if you can keep it.” Many say the 14th Amendment is a constitution within itself – come and find out why.

LWVUS Monthly Update

Kristen Kern, LWVUS Federal Advocacy & Policy Manager, writes about the possibility that voters will be at risk of having their ballots suppressed if the U.S. Senate approves the SAVE Act when it returns in September. Kern’s article includes steps all voters can take now to be prepared for strict voter registration requirements. All LWV members and their family members and friends can contact their senators to oppose the SAVE Act.

Action Alert: Tell Congress to oppose the SAVE Act Suite of bills | League of Women Voters

Action Alert: Tell Congress to Reject Strict Voter ID Requirements | League of Women Voters

LWVUS released this statement after a federal judge ruled to block the USPS from enacting the president’s executing order.

Leagues across the nation participated in the Unite and Rise for Voting Rights Day of Action – Here’s the recording of the virtual pep rally held on Aug. 6.

Unite and Rise for Voting Rise: A Day in Photos | League of Women Voters

Read more news items from LWVUS on our News page.

Membership Monthly Update

As the November general election approaches, it is important for LWVCC members to be aware of and follow our League’s Nonpartisan Policy.

The choice made in 1920, to neither support nor oppose any political party or candidate for public office, continues today to ensure that the League’s voice is heard above the tumult of party politics. This nonpartisan policy has added strength to the League’s positions on the issues and has made possible wide acceptance of League voter service and other educational activities.

Key parts for all members to keep in mind and follow when attending LWVCC events and meetings:

Members are to refrain from expressing political party or candidate support during member meetings and League events, including removing any mention in a Zoom attendee name. Any partisan conversations need to take place outside the League-sponsored event location. (Example: go to parking lot, take off name tag.)

LWV encourages members to fully participate in politics as individuals. We remind you not to identify yourself as a League member at candidate and partisan events.

Here’s what is included in LWVCC nonpartisan policy: “Non-Board members may be partisan as they like solely in their capacity as individual citizens. At partisan events, members shall not identify themselves as a League member to include wearing hats, t-shirts, name tag, or displaying League logos such as in a Zoom background.” Please contact membership@lwvclarkcounty.org if you have any questions about the nonpartisan policy and your role as a member to honor it.

Citizen 411: The County Charter Amendments

Janet Landesberg, Charter Review Commissioner

Tracy, Teresa and Rachel interview Charter Review Commissioner and League member Janet Landesberg about the nine Clark County charter amendments that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Some of the amendments are about elections and voter participation, some on transparency or accountability. Some address county fiscal decisions, and one deals with nominations to county boards and commissions. A few amendments will offer great change; others are operationally neutral. Which is which? Tune in!

Tune in every month to Citizen 411
KXRW independent radio - 99.9 FM
The show airs at 8:15 a.m. on the first Tuesday each month and is released as a podcast shortly thereafter.

Happy Hour with The League!

We have launched a series of gatherings around the county for Happy Hour with the League, an opportunity for people to get acquainted in a casual environment at a time that may be more convenient for some members.

The first event was held on the west side, at Burnt Bridge Cellars on Aug. 27. Three more are scheduled in September. All the Happy Hours will offer non-alcoholic beverages as well.

On Sept. 4, Tracy Reilly Kelly and Shila Clark will host a North County gathering from 5-7 p.m. at 3Peaks Public House, 24415 NE 10th Ave. in Ridgefield. Register here.

On Sept. 9, Teresa Torres and Kate Hobbie invite members to Chez Torres for a wine party from 7-9 p.m. at 17110 NE 8th on the east side of town. You can register here.

On Sept. 22, we’ll be back on the north side from 4-6 p.m. with an event hosted by Amy Easton at Columbia Ridge Winery, 3006 NW 199th St. in Ridgefield. The registration link is here.

League, Historic Trust to Celebrate Constitution Day

The League is teaming up with The Historic Trust to celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17. The Fort Vancouver event will include speakers, an interactive game to test your knowledge of the Constitution, an opportunity to write your own constitution, and time for open dialogue and discussion.

Scheduled speakers include:

4 p.m., John Jay, “How the Constitution Was Put Together in One Summer”
6 p.m., Melissa Williams, “The Fourteenth Amendment: A Constitution in and of Itself”
6:45 p.m., Carolyn Long, “The Bill of Rights + What Does the Constitution Mean Today?”

More information can be found here.