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President's Message
We have 64 days until Election Day and 49 days until early voting begins! Democracy is not a spectator sport—it’s time to make your voting plan. Have you checked your voter registration? Do you know where and when you will vote?
Talking with family and friends is one of the easiest ways to encourage people to vote. It’s time to ask everyone you know: Do you have a voting plan?
Check out Vote411.org for the information you need to make your voting plan. Voters Guides will be updated in early October with information about the candidates on your ballot.
Our Day of Action on August 8 celebrating the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 was a huge success! We had 63 attendees write 1,000 postcards to low turn-out voters! Starting in September, be on the lookout for our Vote411.org digital billboards along the 75 freeway in McKinney and Plano. Your donations toward the mid-term fundraiser paid for the postcards and the billboards. Thank you for your donations!
As always, thank you for continuing to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy!
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North Texas Giving Day
North Texas Giving Day is Thursday September 17, and early giving opened on August 27.
Because of supporters like you, LWV-CC continues to provide valuable nonpartisan election information to Collin County voters. Each year, thousands of county residents use www.vote411.org and online Voters Guides to compare candidates' responses to LWV questions. LWV-CC hosts nonpartisan candidate forums and assists other nonpartisan organizations with their candidate forums.
Free public forums are held throughout the year about timely topics, and our speakers present voting information to various community groups. Voter registration is a core function and we register voters at Collin College, high schools, and at various events/locations throughout Collin County.
Your giving allows us to continue empowering voters and defending democracy!
|  | General Election - November 3
Early Voting - October 19-30
In November voters will elect a US Senator, Texas Governor and other state officials, US and Texas legislators, justices and judges, and county officials. Some cities and school districts will have elections for city council, mayor, school board trustee, and/or propositions. Candidates are gearing up with campaign signs, block walks, and rallies, and it’s time for you to prepare to be a voter!
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Member Orientation: Get Plugged In!
Are you new to the League or looking to get more involved? Join us on Zoom for a Member Orientation on Thursday, September 3, at 6:30 PM.
In just 30 minutes, we'll help you navigate how our League works so you can find the best way to make an impact.
You'll meet fellow members, learn about the history and mission of the League, and learn more about the committees and the specific projects each committee handles. There will be time for questions at the end.
The orientation ends at 7:00 PM, at which point we will transition directly into the Board Meeting. You are encouraged to stay for the meeting to see our work in action. Register for the Zoom link. Members, please log in to the website before registering.
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Brewing Democracy
Join the League of Women Voters of Collin County for Brewing Democracy at la Madeleine, located at 810 W. McDermott Drive in Allen on Sunday, September 13, at 2:00. Connect with fellow League members and community neighbors for meaningful conversations in a relaxed setting. Whether you're a long-time member or just curious about what we do, we'd love to see you there.
We'll be discussing the issues that matter to our community—like voting rights and fair elections—all while upholding our bedrock principle of nonpartisanship. Let's empower voters and defend democracy together!
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Lunch with the League - McKinney and Plano
Enjoy great conversation and connection at one of our upcoming LWV-CC buy-your-own social lunches. These events are open to all and provide a chance to discuss important issues while upholding the League’s nonpartisan policy of not supporting or opposing any candidate or political party. Feel free to bring a friend!
Tuesday, September 8, 11:30 – 1:00
Location: Joe's Pasta-N-Pizza, 2011 W. Spring Creek Pkwy #1000, Plano
Friday, September 25, 11:30 – 1:00
Location: Olive Garden, 1700 North Central Expy, McKinney
Members, please log in to the website before registering.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Book Club
All are invited to the League of Women Voters of Collin County Book Club on Wednesday, September 9, from 7:00-8:00. We will meet on Zoom to discuss Peace Like A River by Leif Enger.
We will share our nonpartisan thoughts on the book as well as various discussion questions. Register and receive the Zoom link. Members, please log in to the website before registering.
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Making Your Voice Heard Forum
Join us as our in-house experts offer tips on how to participate in a rally while remaining nonpartisan, how to write letters to the editor that will make an impact, and how to grab the attention of your elected officials through letters, emails, and phone calls.
A panel of LWV members will share their expertise in a public forum from 11:00 to 1:00 September 12 at Schimelpfenig Library, 5024 Custer Road in Plano. All are welcome, but registration is required. Members, please log into the website before registering.
This event is not sponsored by the Plano Public Library System or the City of Plano.
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LWV Collin County Candidate Forum on October 3
Mark your calendars! The League of Women Voters of Collin County, sponsored by Collin County Votes, is hosting a multi-session public candidate forum on Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 to 4:00 at the Collin College Frisco Campus.
This event will feature candidates across key county, state, and federal races. Questions will come directly from the public, giving voters a unique opportunity to hear straight from potential representatives on the issues that matter most. For those unable to attend in person, the forum will be recorded and live-streamed.
The volunteer positions and shifts are ready for signups. We need volunteers for the following positions: set up and clean up, question screener and collector, moderator and timekeeper, reception and candidate tables, and Facebook Live streamers. Most shifts are two hours and you can sign up for one or more shifts. We will also be registering voters throughout the day. VDRs can sign up to register voters.
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Socializing & Civics
On Saturday, October 10, at Haggard Library (2501 Coit Road, Plano), the League will host a free public forum where past presenter Louis Bedford IV returns to provide us with an update on the latest developments in elections. Doors open at 10:30 and the presentation begins at 11:00.
Mr. Bedford is a graduate of UT Law and a former Legal Counsel in the Texas Senate. He has led efforts in election protection, redistricting, and community empowerment by training poll workers, educating voters, drafting legislation, and defending access to the ballot for marginalized communities.
You can register for the presentation here. Members, please log in to the website before registering.
This event is not sponsored by the Plano Public Library System or the City of Plano.
|  | Volunteer Opportunities
Voter Registration
September and October are busy months for voter registration throughout the county. We have thirteen voter registration events coming up at retirement and independent living facilities, multiple Collin College campuses, the Allen Home and Garden Show and the Candidate Forum. If you are new to voter registration or not yet a VDR, the Garden Show would be a great opportunity to see how the process works. Volunteers for the other events do need to be VDRs and members can register in the member portal on our website.
If you find the volunteering process on the member portal confusing, we've created a "How To" guide to help you register to volunteer at any of our events. If you have questions on how to become a Collin County VDR, please send an email to voterguide@lwvcollin.org and Cynthia Libby will contact you.
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Voter Services and Board Leadership Update
Cynthia Libby has accepted the role of 2nd VP, focused on Voter Services. In her new role, Cynthia will facilitate collaboration among our Voter Services committees and serve as our point of contact for activities related to this important part of our core mission.
Our committee chairs continue as follows:
- Cindy Thomas, Senior Living and Event Voter Registration Coordinator
- Virginia Burgan, College Campus Voter Registration
- Margie Dess/Srijan Singh, Youth Council
- Aaron Rodriguez, Candidate Forums
- Cynthia Libby, VOTE411.org
- Janice Schieffer/Asha Mathews, Voter Guides
- Julia Copeland, Speaker Bureau
Additionally, Asha Mathews joins our Board as an elected Director.
Thank you to Cynthia and Asha for their continued leadership and service as we work together to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy!
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Video Presentation
On August 22, LWV-CC hosted a forum presented by Dr. Danita Jones celebrating Women's Equality Day. She serves as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director for LWV-TX and is a leader in LWV-Dallas. View the recorded video.
| Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
| The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan 501C3 organization. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We encourage informed and active participation in government, and we influence public policy through education and advocacy.
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