HomeThe Voter Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2026

This Month's Features

They Represent You: The 2026 TRY Is Online!

Your LWVSKC Birthday Gift to Defend Democracy

The League of Women Voters Speaks Out on Redistricting

What We Learned from Our Members in 2025

Slouching Toward Utopia: Read & Discuss

Our Newsletter

The Voter features information on our forums and other public events; our neighborhood discussion groups; volunteer opportunities; our voter registration and education efforts; and our work on issues like accountability for local government, climate change, education, health care, and police reform.

Do you have an idea? Send us your news! Contact the Voter Editor at votereditor@lwvskc.org. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month for the next edition.

View a PDF of the current issue of The Voter.

Our Mission

The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County, 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.

Want to work with us? Become a member!
Want to reach us? We’re at info@lwvskc.org!
Want to support us? Donate today!

Past Issues

View past issues of The Voter.

Fighting Voter Suppression

LWVUS

We protect every American's right to vote, challenging those who seek to restrict Black, brown, female, disabled, and other Americans from making their voices heard in our democracy.

Why It Matters
Voter suppression is any attempt to prevent or discourage certain Americans from registering to vote or casting their ballot. These measures often target specific groups based on race, ethnicity, political affiliation, age, or other aspects of voters’ identities. The most widely used forms of voter suppression include discriminatory voter ID and proof-of-citizenship restrictions, reduced polling place hours in communities of color, the elimination of early voting opportunities, and illegal purges of voters from the rolls.

Historically, voter suppression has overwhelmingly targeted Black Americans. After the Civil War, Black men were able to participate in elections once the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution was adopted in 1870, which states: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Voter suppression in southern states raged in the form of laws to prevent poor and Black voters from participating in elections. These laws, known as Jim Crow laws, included poll taxes and literacy tests. Many of these voter suppression strategies remained in place until the 1965 passage of the Voting Rights Act.

In 2013, the US Supreme Court removed key protections of the Voting Rights Act in the decision of Shelby vs Holder. Since then, a surge of anti-voter bills have swept across our nation–with many being legalized.

The League will not stand for this.

What We're Doing
Legal Work
The League is at the forefront of the most important federal and state cases across the United States. Our legal team works tirelessly to oppose all forms of voter suppression, including:

Discriminatory voter ID laws;
Attacks on voter registration;
Last-minute Election Day barriers;
The elimination of voting locations in underserved communities;
Unjust voter purgers; and
Attempts to limit access to early and mail-in voting.

Advocating to End Voter Suppression

We support legislation that empowers Americans to participate in the voting process. These include:

Expansion of the Voting Rights Act: More than 50 years after the Voting Rights Act was passed, full protections for voting rights are not guaranteed for all voters. Many people still face challenges to participating in elections due to factors including income, health, age, race, disability, and gender. Voting is a fundamental right, and all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to make their voices heard in our democracy.
DC Statehood: Over 700,000 DC residents pay taxes, are eligible for the military draft, and contribute to our nation and their community the same as residents of every other state, yet they are without full representation in Congress. The majority of these Americans are people of color. We support full statehood and representation for the people of DC.

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2026 Program Focus

Cindy Krebs

Program identifies governmental issues to be studied and acted upon that align with the League’s vision for a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.

Last fall, the LWVSKC Program co-chairs met with each of the Units to learn what issues our local members were most interested in learning about, and developing positions on. Many good topics were proposed but a few stood out as top of mind for everyone. The following will be focal points for Program this year:

Study Voting & Voter Participation
This may include: investigations into who does and doesn’t vote, barriers to access, upcoming changes in the voting process, and civics education at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. Possible outcomes could include bulletins, community meetings, webinars, and the creation and dissemination of educational materials.

Study Taxes & Taxation
Potential focus areas include: where our tax dollars go, government reliance on taxes, whether taxes collected are being spent as promised, equity, fairness, affordability, levies and fees, and proposals to increase taxes or change the taxing structure at the local and state levels. Findings could be presented at a town hall meeting.

Initiate Action to Increase Membership Diversity
Related to this will be efforts to update LWVSKC’s image, engage with local college campuses, and support the work of community organizations whose mission and vision align with the League’s.

We enthusiastically invite anyone who is interested in helping with the above to join us. If you are, please reach out to us at program@lwvskc.org.

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They Represent You: The 2026 TRY Is Online!

Allison Feher, Administrative Manager

The 2026 edition of our "TRY" directory is available online!

They Represent You: Directory of Elected Officials contains contact information for local elected officials as well as the county council, school boards, Washington State officials, legislative committees, political parties, and more. The online PDF has hyperlinks to websites and emails so you can jump straight to those resources. An essential tool for voters and community activists!

There's also information about voting, deadlines, and registering to vote in Washington as well as some tips on reaching out to your representatives. All of this ties to much of the work the League does to help voters be engaged.

The paper print copy will be available later this month via the Seattle and King County libraries.

View the TRY 2026 online.

Please help us continue the work on this project — the League has been doing it for over 60 years. It has grown from a two-sided trifold paper to a 40-page mini booklet to help voters and legislative activists throughout Washington State!

Support it with a tax-deductible donation!

P.S.: Data is always changing. If you see things that you think need edits — do let us know!

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Your LWVSKC Birthday Gift To Defend Democracy!

Barb Tengtio

You can celebrate The League of Women Voters' 106th birthday with a donation to the League of Women Voters of Seattle King County (LWVSKC), knowing that you are defending democracy locally, where you live, for yourself and your community.

And yes, even in this turbulent time, we can celebrate! The League of Women Voters is here for you and King County, resolute in our mission to empower voters and defend democracy. At nearly 600 members strong, LWVSKC continues to work to empower voters, especially our young adults and those in underserved communities, and to work to strengthen our democracy.

Won’t you celebrate with us with a birthday gift to LWVSKC?

Your gift can help grow civic-mindedness and involvement in the community by supporting our youth civics program. This three-part program includes free online teaching resources on voting and leadership, supports student-led candidate and issues forums, and provides the opportunity for practice voting. This youth engagement leads to higher voting turnout and new lifelong voters as voting is habit forming. Your support today will strengthen and grow this program.

Founded by the activists who secured voting rights for women, the League of Women Voters has always worked to promote the values and processes of representative government and envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. And the League has stood for the political rights and representation of women for over a century. In that time, political support and public opinion around issues like suffrage, abortion, workplace discrimination, maternal rights, and more have evolved and shifted. Yet, we have always stood firm in our values—and we know you stand with us. Together we can continue this work.

Your gift will make a difference in these unsteady times. And, you can make a more lasting impact with an online recurring donation or make a one-time gift. Or you can mail your check to:

LWVSKC
1511 Third Avenue, Suite 801
Seattle, WA, 98101

What a great gift you can give to your community by celebrating LWVSKC’s birthday with your financial support.

Thank you for standing with LWVSKC to defend democracy.

All the best,

Barb
Barb Tengtio , President LWVSKC
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy

League is proudly nonpartisan — never endorsing or opposing candidates or political parties but always striving to address issues of public concern.

P.S. Please make your gift now and your community will be strengthened!

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The League of Women Voters Speaks Out On Redistricting

LWVUS

The presidents of the League of Women Voters of Washington and the League of Women Voters of Seattle King County submitted an op-ed to the Seattle Times. It was prompted by discussion in the state House of Representatives on the subject of mid-cycle redistricting. The League has adopted policy positions on the topic after extensive study and member agreement by consensus. The op-ed follows:

Earlier this month Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon introduced HJR 4209 to allow mid-cycle redistricting in Washington state. But on Wednesday, January 21, the West Seattle Democrat said during a House State Government & Tribal Relations committee hearing that his real hope is for something a little different.

"What I wish I was here advocating for was a 50-state nonpartisan redistricting process. Not bipartisan. Not single party. But to have all states draw their congressional districts in an impartial way without an eye towards partisan advantage."

The League of Women Voters of Washington agrees.

The League of Women Voters believes that mid-cycle redistricting can all too easily be used to disenfranchise voters based on race or party affiliation. We are in uncharted territory today as an authoritarian administration in Washington, D.C., exploits racial division and seeks to silence voters. This is dangerous.

We appreciate the focus national action has brought to the importance of redistricting because redistricting is a cornerstone of representative democracy. When done equitably and responsibly, it ensures every person’s voice carries equal weight. Done improperly, it silences those voices, magnifies inequities and undermines the foundation of representative democracy.

The League has defined core standards for responsible redistricting that protect voters and communities. Responsible redistricting:

Is transparent and accountable.
Protects historically disenfranchised communities.
Preserves communities of interest and respects existing municipal and county boundaries.
Increases accountability measures – such as ranked criteria
Promotes partisan fairness.

Washington’s current commission does not meet these criteria. The process is outdated and in need of reform. While independent of the Legislature, our current model is not independent of partisan influence. The League supports a redistricting model that has been proven to improve representation and emphasize nonpartisanship. We support a model that commits to transparency, accountability, access, and citizen engagement.

We refer to this as “People First Redistricting.” Based on effective models existing in other states, this new model increases the size of the commission to include representatives of major parties and independent voices. This model minimizes partisan influence and requires full and true transparency in map-drawing and deliberation.

Rather than engage in partisan manipulation, we urge the Legislature to turn to reforming our process by creating a model that increases representation, improves trust in government, and nurtures civic participation. Such a model will help ensure a government that is responsive and accountable to the people.

We encourage the Legislature to listen to Rep. Fitzgibbons and create a People First Redistricting Commission.

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Join the Board

Barb Tengtio, LWVSKC

The League of Women Voters of Seattle King County has had a very engaged LWVSKC Board this year and while most are staying on to continue to lead and lift up the LWVSKC's work, we do have a few positions available. Now is your chance to step up, join in, and contribute to the LWVSKC in new and more impactful ways; below are roles we are looking to fill for the coming two-year term July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028. (Typically, we look to Board members to commit to two-year time frames.)

If you have interest in any of these roles and would like to explore the opportunity further, please contact Chelsea Jordan at nominate@lwvskc.org.

Our LWVSKC Board is a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers, doing meaningful work; join us in one of the following roles:

1st VP and 2nd VP
- The 1st VP and 2nd VP are back up support for the President and pitch in to help out in all areas as needed. These roles also serve as "training" for future President or Co-President positions.
Communications Director
- Would you like to coordinate the LWVSKC's communications? This includes the weekly email, The Voter newsletter, our Because of You! bi-annual report, LWVSKC's website, social media, and more. This can also be a shared role. If you have Communications work or volunteer experience, please reach out.
Advocacy Co-chairs
- Our Voter Services Chair, Julie Sarkissian is hoping to step into this role and would appreciate a Co-Director to partner with in this important work. Step up and be an advocate for our democracy with Julie!
Development Chair or Co-Chair
- As an NGO, LWVSKC relies on financial support from members and the community at large to support the work we do. As a result, fundraising is an essential part of our work. If you or you and a friend are interested in helping grow LWVSKC through this important work, please contact Chelsea. There is a general calendar that we follow, but new/creative ideas are very welcome!
Voter Services Co-Chair
- Voter Services Co-Chairs Connie Foster and Maris Olsen are continuing on as Co-Chairs but are looking for a third as Voter Services work is quite extensive, especially in the fall; duties include organizing voter registration, voter outreach, and candidate forums. Voter services work is such a large part of the LWVSKC's community work, and a great way to further your impact!
Treasurer or Co-Treasurer
- The LWVSKC Treasurer role is an essential part of the LWVSKC being able to function; this role is primarily responsible for taking donations, paying bills, and preparing monthly financial statements. This person (or persons) also works with a committee to prepare the annual budget, participate in the annual financial audit, and sits on the LWVSKC's financial investment committee.
Unit Co-Liason
- The Unit Co-Liaisons coordinate communications amongst all LWVSKC Units. Sarah Beth Miller and Keela Williams have been Unit Co-Liaisons and Sarah Beth is needing to step down. If you are interested in coordinating communications between the LWVSKC Units and supporting the LWVSKC Unit Facilitators, please contact Chelsea.

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What We Learned from Our Members in 2025

Janet Lenart

The League of Women Voters Seattle King County (LWVSKC) sent a survey to 574 members and 74 members responded in December 2025.
The questions (in abbreviated form) were:

Why did you join the League of Women Voters?

What experiences are you seeking?

What skills do you have that will empower voters and defend democracy?

What areas have you volunteered or worked in?

See the complete survey questions here.

See the response data here.

The results of the survey may be used by unit facilitators, committee chairpersons, and the board of directors for planning and outreach to members. The results are described below in a format that can be used to inform new members and funders.

_______________________________________________________________

Join the Movement: What You Can Do with the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County

Welcome! If you're looking for a way to actively participate in our democracy, you've come to the right place. This document provides an overview of the League of Women Voters Seattle King County (LWVSKC), guided by the values and motivations of our current members. We'll explore why people join, what we do together, and how your unique skills can contribute to our shared mission. The League is a place where your passion for democracy turns into meaningful action.

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1. The "Why": Finding Your Purpose with the League

Every member who joins our movement brings a unique purpose, but we are all united by a shared commitment to strengthening democracy. Whether you have a broad desire to serve or a specific policy passion, you'll find your "why" with the League.

1.1 Our Core Motivations

When our members were asked to name their top reasons for joining, two priorities rose to the top: "to protect voting rights" and "to defend democracy." These core missions are the primary drivers for our work. Alongside these, ensuring that voters are registered and educated on candidates and issues is a fundamental motivation for our membership.

1.2 A Place for Every Passion

Beyond our central missions, members join to pursue a wide range of personal and community goals. The League is a home for many different interests and aspirations.

For Community & Connection:
- To work with and be inspired by other dedicated, smart, and like-minded people.
- To feel a sense of community and shared political purpose.
For Personal Growth & Learning:
- To become a more informed voter by learning about local issues and government.
- To better understand how legislation works at all levels and how to influence it effectively.
- To keep up with League studies on local, regional, and national good government practices.
For Focused Advocacy:
- To advocate for specific issues like criminal justice reform and climate action.
- To promote and protect women's rights, including passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
- To support immigrants and contribute to election monitoring.

This variety shows that the League isn't just for policy experts—it's a diverse community for anyone committed to learning, connecting, and advocating for a stronger democracy.

These powerful motivations come to life in our local unit meetings, where ideas are shared and actions are planned.

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2. The "What": Taking Action in Our Meetings

Our meetings are the heart of the League, designed to deliver exactly what our members value most: turning knowledge into power. You can expect dynamic sessions focused on "Information and discussion related to empowering voters and defending democracy," with a clear goal of generating "Action oriented ideas."

2.1 What to Expect at a League Meeting

Our meetings are designed to transform knowledge into tangible results. You can expect a dynamic environment that balances in-depth learning with strategic planning for advocacy.

Learning & Collaboration	Planning & Advocacy
* Discussing recent League studies to deepen your understanding of key issues.	* Generating ideas for effective local advocacy that you can participate in.
* Connecting with smart, informed, and like-minded people to share ideas and knowledge.	* Participating in working meetings to write letters, craft signs, or plan events.
* Collaborating in a space that fosters a sense of community and hope.	* Meeting with government representatives and department leaders to make your voice heard.

These vital activities are powered by the diverse skills and experiences that each member contributes.

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3. The "How": Your Skills Can Power Our Mission

The League is strong because our members bring a vast array of professional and life experiences to our work. Whatever your background, your skills are needed here.

3.1 A Community of Experts

Our membership reflects a deep well of professional knowledge. A recent survey shows that our members have extensive experience in key fields that directly support our mission:

Over 50% of surveyed members have experience in education and writing, with nearly half also having a background in event planning.
Over a third have worked in public service and volunteer coordination.

This deep well of experience in education, communication, event planning, and public service provides the exact expertise we need to run effective voter education campaigns, advocate in Olympia, and organize impactful community forums.

3.2 The Skills That Strengthen Our Work

Beyond professional titles, our members contribute a wide range of practical skills that are the engine of our advocacy and voter service work. Whether you have years of experience or are eager to develop new abilities, your talents are valuable.

Direct Voter Engagement:
- Voter registration
- Phone banking
- Community organizing and outreach
Advocacy & Education:
- Lobbying and legislative advocacy
- Public speaking, teaching, and training
- Moderating public meetings
Leadership & Organization:
- Event and program planning
- Team building and collaboration
- Volunteer coordination
- Non-profit board leadership
Professional Skills:
- Writing and public relations
- Research and data analysis
- Legal and financial expertise
- Technology skills (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strategic planning

Whether you're a seasoned expert or eager to learn, there is a place for you in the League.

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4. Conclusion: Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

The League of Women Voters Seattle-King County is a vibrant, nonpartisan community where people with diverse motivations and skills come together. Here, you can learn, collaborate, and take meaningful action to empower voters and defend democracy. If you are ready to join a dedicated group of people working to strengthen our community and protect our rights, we encourage you to become a member today. Your voice, your skills, and your passion belong here.

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Slouching Toward Utopia: Read & Discuss

LWVSKC

The LWVSKC Economics and Taxation Committee met for years under the leadership of Nora Leech, with a format where members read a book focusing on economics or tax (for instance, The Permanent Tax Revolt: How the Property Tax Transformed American Politics, by Issac William Martin). The committee took a break during COVID, but we are back to meeting in person and focusing on reading books that help us inform our positions on legislation, both state and national.

We are lucky to be hosted by Vicky Downs on the fourth Saturday of each month at 10 am.

Currently, we’re reading Slouching Toward Utopia: An Economic History of the Twentieth Century, by J. Bradford DeLong. The book focuses on a period that began around 1870, where material abundance poured on humanity, and has not ended in utopia, but in recrimination and discord. The section we’ve recently read and discussed talks about the neoliberalism of the Reagan-Thatcher years that arose from discontent with the social democratic order of the New Deal. Some quotes from the book are surely relevant in our current moment:

“People do not just seek to have good things materially; they like to pretend that there is a logic to the distribution of good things, and especially its distribution to them in particular—that their prosperity has some rational and deserved basis. Inflation…stripped the mask away.” (p.435)

“The Reagan deficits diverted about 4 percent of national income from investment into consumption spending: instead of flowing out of savers’ pockets through banks to companies that would buy and install machines, finance flowed out of savers’ pockets through banks into the government, where it funded tax cuts for the rich.” (p.444)

“The neoliberal turn...did not end the slowdown in productivity growth but reinforced it. Moreover, the size of government relative to the economy was not improved. The major effect was to set the distribution of income on a trend of sharply increasing inequality.” (p.445)

The Econ & Tax Committee plans to attend LWVWA Lobby Days and learn how to use the information from our reading to influence legislation at the state level and beyond.

On February 28, we will discuss the final chapters of Slouching Toward Utopia. If you are interested in joining, please contact marileefuller@yahoo.com, and you can be added to our distribution list.

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We’d Like to Hear from You!

Not sure who to reach? You can always find us at info@lwvskc.org or 206-329-4848 or check our events calendar for more information.

Want to stop by our office? We have office hours every workday except Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We moved in December, but just within the same building. We’re located at:

Melbourne Tower

1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 801

Seattle, WA 98101

Executive Committee of the Board of LWVSKC

President	Barbara Tengtio	president@lwvskc.org
Vice-President	Janet Lenart	vp@lwvskc.org
Secretary	Laura Rudert	secretary@lwvskc.org
Co-Treasurer	Carol Levin	treasurer@lwvskc.org
Co-Treasurer	Sally Walcott	eftreasurer@lwvskc.org

Directors of the Board of LWVSKC

Co-Unit Liaison	Sarah Beth Miller	unitliaison@lwvskc.org
Co-Unit Liaison	Keela Williams	unitliaison@lwvskc.org
Voter Services Chair	Julie Sarkissian	voterservices@lwvskc.org
Program Co-Chair	Cindy Krebs	program@lwvskc.org
Program Co-Chair	Evelyn Strawn	program@lwvskc.org
Development Chair	Phillippa Kassover	development@lwvskc.org
Membership Chair	Marie Cooley	membership@lwvskc.org

Committee Chairs for LWVSKC

Economics and Taxation	Marilee Fuller	marileefuller@yahoo.com
Education	Joanna Cullen	jfoxcullen@gmail.com
Investment	Cindy Piennett	cindypiennett@gmail.com
Finance	Kim Albert	kim.a@lwvskc.org
Youth Civic Engagement	Sarah Beth Miller Barb Tengtio	sarahbethmiller410@gmail.com president@lwvskc.org
Unite & Rise Action	Keela Williams	keela.w@lwvskc.org

Nominating Committee for LWVSKC

Chair

Chelsea Jordan

nominate@lwvskc.org

And if you’re looking for the editor of The Voter, reach out to votereditor@lwvskc.org!

Find us on the web at lwvskc.org!

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Quick link for this page is: https://www.lwvskc.org/thevoter

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FEBRUARY 2026

This Month's Features

Fighting Voter Suppression

2026 Program Focus

They Represent You: The 2026 TRY Is Online!

Your LWVSKC Birthday Gift to Defend Democracy

The League of Women Voters Speaks Out on Redistricting

Join the Board

What We Learned from Our Members in 2025

Slouching Toward Utopia: Read & Discuss

We'd Like to Hear From You!

Our Newsletter

Our Mission

Want to work with us? Become a member!
Want to reach us? We’re at info@lwvskc.org!
Want to support us? Donate today!

Past Issues

Fighting Voter Suppression

2026 Program Focus

They Represent You: The 2026 TRY Is Online!

Your LWVSKC Birthday Gift To Defend Democracy!

The League of Women Voters Speaks Out On Redistricting

Join the Board

What We Learned from Our Members in 2025

The League of Women Voters Seattle King County (LWVSKC) sent a survey to 574 members and 74 members responded in December 2025.
The questions (in abbreviated form) were:

Join the Movement: What You Can Do with the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County

1. The "Why": Finding Your Purpose with the League

1.1 Our Core Motivations

1.2 A Place for Every Passion

2. The "What": Taking Action in Our Meetings

2.1 What to Expect at a League Meeting

3. The "How": Your Skills Can Power Our Mission

3.1 A Community of Experts

3.2 The Skills That Strengthen Our Work

4. Conclusion: Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

Slouching Toward Utopia: Read & Discuss

We’d Like to Hear from You!

Follow Us

Support Us

Contact Us

FEBRUARY 2026

This Month's Features

Our Newsletter

Our Mission

Want to work with us? Become a member! Want to reach us? We’re at info@lwvskc.org! Want to support us? Donate today!

Past Issues

Fighting Voter Suppression

2026 Program Focus

They Represent You: The 2026 TRY Is Online!

Your LWVSKC Birthday Gift To Defend Democracy!

The League of Women Voters Speaks Out On Redistricting

Join the Board

What We Learned from Our Members in 2025

The League of Women Voters Seattle King County (LWVSKC) sent a survey to 574 members and 74 members responded in December 2025. The questions (in abbreviated form) were:

Join the Movement: What You Can Do with the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County

1. The "Why": Finding Your Purpose with the League

1.1 Our Core Motivations

1.2 A Place for Every Passion

2. The "What": Taking Action in Our Meetings

2.1 What to Expect at a League Meeting

3. The "How": Your Skills Can Power Our Mission

3.1 A Community of Experts

3.2 The Skills That Strengthen Our Work

4. Conclusion: Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

Slouching Toward Utopia: Read & Discuss

We’d Like to Hear from You!

Want to work with us? Become a member!
Want to reach us? We’re at info@lwvskc.org!
Want to support us? Donate today!

The League of Women Voters Seattle King County (LWVSKC) sent a survey to 574 members and 74 members responded in December 2025.
The questions (in abbreviated form) were: