Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy in Southern Arizona since 1941.
| October 2026
To access links in The Voter, members first must log in to the lwvsaz.org website. | Important Information Regarding League Emails
We are no longer able to use the forwarding email system through our website. Please reach out to us at league@lwvsaz.org and we will direct your email to the appropriate person. | In This Edition
- President's Message
- Election Resources
- Looking Ahead
- Highlights from Last Month
- Honor and Support DEI
- LWVGT Board of Directors
- Contact The Voter
| |
Not yet a member?
When you join, you will be a member at all levels - local, state, and national.
|
Your donation HERE will help support our work.
Our Mission:
Empowering Voters and
Defending Democracy |
|
|
Check out volunteering opportunities HERE.
League members must be logged in for access.
|
|
Happy 85th Birthday, LWVSAZ!
| | On October 28, 1941, the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson became an affiliate of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Eighty-five years later, we celebrate a remarkable legacy of civic engagement, voter education, advocacy, and service to our community.
There is much to celebrate.
One of the League’s first required publications was Know Your Town, completed after a two-year study. It reflected a fundamental League principle that continues to guide us today: study first, then action.
For 85 years, our voter education publications have provided reliable, factual information on which our community can depend. Today, our voter guides are available digitally through VOTE411, making them accessible to voters everywhere. Our popular Citizens’ Directory of Elected Officials is available both in print and online. Each year, we distribute 5,000 copies to county and city officials and public libraries. We also provide valuable voting information through readysetvotetucson.org.
Our two signature programs, Running and Winning and the Issues & Eggs Breakfast Forum, continue that tradition of education and engagement. Running and Winning encourages young women in high school to become informed and involved citizens. The Issues & Eggs Breakfast Forum brings our broader community together to learn about important issues.
Each November and March, League members meet with our legislators over breakfast or in their Phoenix offices to discuss issues of importance to our League and our community. Over the years, our advocacy has contributed to important civic reforms, including:
• State legislation allowing women to serve on juries
• Merit selection of judges
• Arizona motor vehicle legislation providing voter registration when obtaining a driver’s license
• State funding for free textbooks for Arizona students
• An independent redistricting commission
| |
During August of this year, we changed our name to LWV Southern Arizona to reflect our vision for the future and our commitment to serve communities throughout Southern Arizona.
And our work continues.
This year, at events throughout the area, we are registering members of the community to vote and providing candidate forums. We have trained League members to give nonpartisan presentations on the November ballot propositions. We are distributing 8,000 Ballot Proposition booklets throughout Southern Arizona. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to empowering voters with the information they need to participate in our democracy.
Throughout 85 years of changing political environments and evolving cultures, the League has remained true to its core values: non-partisanship, voter education, empowering voters, and defending democracy.
We launch our anniversary month with an Annual Giving Campaign and conclude the celebration with our fundraiser, the Founders Day Lunch, on October 28, 2026, from 12:00–2:00 p.m. Our featured speaker will be Jean Fedigan, founder of Sister Jose Women’s Center. Register here!
As I look back on our history, I am especially grateful for the people who have made the League what it is today. From our 34 founding mothers to our more than 350 current members, generations of League volunteers have given their time, energy, and passion to keep our organization timely, relevant, and responsive to our community.
We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we have the privilege—and the responsibility—of carrying their work forward.
So, on this 85th birthday, we celebrate our history, honor our members, and look ahead with optimism to the work still to be done.
Happy 85th Birthday, League of Women Voters of Southern Arizona!
With gratitude,
Linda Maccabe
| | |  |  | | Ready Set Vote Tucson, created by LWVSAZ, provides timely and accurate information about voting for Pima County.
|  | |
Vote411, created by LWVUS, provides election information you need, customized to your address.
| | |
For the most up-to-date voting information in Arizona
check the AZ Secretary of State website HERE
Find the most recent information from the
Pima County Recorder's Office
"What Voters Need to Know – Nov. 3 General Election" HERE | General Elections
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Voter Registration Deadline - October 5, 2026
- Ballots mailed and early voting begins - October 7, 2026
- Last day to request a mail in ballot - October 23, 2026
- Recommended deadline to mail back your ballot - October 27, 2026
- Election Day and last day to vote in person or drop off a mail ballot- November 3, 2026
More questions? Find answers at the Pima County Recorder's Office HERE. | Find the PowerPoint presentation slides, summaries of the ballot measures in English and Spanish, and a recorded presentation HERE.
| Election Protection Training | Every eligible voter deserves to have their vote counted.
"That’s why every election year, Election Protection recruits, trains, and deploys thousands of volunteers across the nation. These trained, nonpartisan volunteers serve as voters’ first line of defense against confusing voting rules, outdated infrastructure, rampant misinformation, and needless obstacles to the ballot box." Election Protection.
You can find more information and sign up for training on their website HERE. | Membership Committee
Meet & Greet
Saturday, October 10, 2026
9:00am-11:00am | | Calling all new and current LWVSAZ members!
If you're a new League member, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore what we do and how we do it. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities to suit everyone! You'll have time to meet League leadership and talk with current members about what they do.
You can confirm the time and location at the League calendar and register HERE.
Light refreshments will be provided. | | | Community Violence Prevention Committee
Guns to Gardens Firearm Surrender
Saturday October 17, 2026
&
Blacksmithing Demonstration
Sunday October 18, 2026 | The LWVSAZ Community Violence Prevention Committee (CVPC) partnered with Southside Presbyterian Church in June 2026, and provided an educational presentation about Guns to Gardens. At that time, planning was underway to offer a safe, voluntary opportunity for people with unwanted firearms in their homes to have them disabled and transformed into garden tools and other useful and beautiful items.
We are pleased to announce the firearm surrender on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00am to 12:00pm for those bringing firearms for disabling. In addition, there will be a blacksmithing demonstration on Sunday, October 18, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm that is open to the public. Registration is not required.
Both events will be held at St Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church at 4440 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson.
| Fund Development and Events Committee | Founders Day Lunch and Silent Auction
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
12:00pm to 2:00pm | The Catalyst Creative Collective is located on the lower level West wing of Tucson Mall. The closest parking is located at the Southwest corner of the Mall, between Sears and JCPenney, near the corner of Oracle and Wetmore Road. The entrance to the mall is between the two stores (Mall Entrance 3). When you enter, Catalyst is just ahead and to the right. Look for the long glass windows with Catalyst Creative Collective marked above the door.
|
We'll Pay the Rent!
2026-2027
| Still waiting to contribute to the LWVSAZ We'll Pay the Rent campaign?
Now is a good time!
Linda and Tom Longlet are offering a match challenge up to $500.00! They will match your donation if you make it during the month of October.
Check the graphic below and choose to pay the rent for any of the days or weeks in white for November, December, or January and your donation will be matched.
Thanks to all who have donated to We'll Pay the Rent. We are getting closer to our goal of $10,000! | | Interested in joining the Fund Development Committee? Email us league@lwvsaz.org | DEI Committee
Building Our DEI Transformation Pillars Webinars
| In keeping with the League’s commitment to applying the DEI lens at the national and local levels, the LWVUS 2026 Conference featured a session on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. Now, LWVUS is offering DEI webinars. LWVSAZ members are encouraged to make use of these opportunities to help strengthen the League in our ability to walk the walk and build an inclusive, affirming, and welcoming environment for all identities.
In case you missed the first two webinars, you can watch them at your convenience.
- The recording of Continuing the Conversation: Building Our DEI Transformation Pillars Learning Community! is HERE. You will need this passcode dYH%!*!8 to access the Zoom recording.
- The recording of Collective Leadership & Systems Thinking: How We've Always Done It is HERE. You will need this passcode dNZ47c!d to access the Zoom recording.
You can register for upcoming webinars and read the descriptions by clicking on the links. You'll need to log in to LWVUS for access.
- Oct. 14, 2026 01:00 PM: Inclusive Leadership + Participation through Equitable Decision-Making and Operationalizing DEI HERE
- Oct. 28, 2026 12:00 PM: Building Grassroots Partnership with DEI Lens through Community Engagement & Coalition Building HERE
Please take the time to attend these 60-minute sessions, or review them afterwards to help our local League deepen our understanding and bring our own best DEI practices to all aspects of our interactions within our organization and outside in the community. LWVSAZ needs to be known as truly safe and welcoming for all.
|  | Voter Services
September 19, 2026 | | Training the Presenters
Thank you to the trainers and the many folks who signed up for training on the 2026 Arizona Ballot Propositions.
Pass along the Ballot Measures information to friends and family.
| | | DEI Committee
September 26, 2026 | | LWVSAZ, the Sunnyside Neighborhood, and Ward 5 held a Voter Registration and League information event at the Children's Peace Garden in Manuel Herrera Jr. Park. Members of the DEI Committee and Voter Services Committee were on hand for tabling.
Thank you to Beki Quintero for helping us coordinate this event. | | | DEI Committee
Pima Community College West Campus
September 29, 2026 | | Thanks to Kathleen E., Chair of the DEI Committee for being at the information table at Pima Community College's Hispanic Heritage Month.
Not even the pouring rain can keep us from being out in the community! | | | Writing for Impact
Youth Leadership Council
United Way, Tucson
September 29, 2026 | | We had a fabulous time with the Cradle to Career Partnership Youth Leadership Council!
A huge thank you to Mario for inviting us. Our thanks to Jason and Miles for making us feel welcome. Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended the meeting. They were engaged, informed, and inspiring.
Read more about this amazing program HERE.
Interested in finding out more about the Writing for Impact workshop or want to book us? Email us league@lwvsaz.org. | | |  | The League supports and encourages participation and education in the diverse communities that are represented in Southern Arizona.
Here is a selection of topics, events, and websites.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Did you know? Hispanic Heritage Month was established in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson and takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year. Sept. 15 is the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries, with others celebrating their independence on the 16th and 18th.
- Pima County Events HERE
- Pima County Public Library Nuestra Misión HERE
- Celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month (Pima Community College) HERE
- Hispanic Heritage Month Resources (Smithsonian Institute) HERE
- If, like your editor, you are a women's basketball fan, read "Jose Fernandez paves the way for other Latino coaches in the WNBA" HERE.
LGBTQ+ History Month
- History.com offers resources HERE
- Pima County Library has an October 17 event scheduled HERE (registration is required)
- Southern Arizona Senior Pride has information and resources HERE
|  | | Elected Officers
President 2026-2027: Linda M.
President-Elect 2026-2027: Cheri S.
Secretary 2026-2028: Susan B.
Treasurer 2026-2027: Nicholle Z.
|
Elected Directors
Advocacy 2026-2028: Robert O.
Communications 2025-2027: Haley K.
Fund Development/Events 2026-2028: Open
Membership 2025-2027: Taylor M.
Voter Services 2025-2027: Pat M.
Appointed Director
Linda L.
| | | We want to hear from you!
All committees and members are encouraged to submit articles and information to be published in The Voter. Send articles via the links below, and note the 20th of the month is the deadline for all issues. However, exceptions can be made if your event happens late in the month. The editor may reach out to Committee Chairs requesting summaries for events that occur late in the month.
| |