By Annie Cubberly — 01 Oct 2026

October 2026

How to Help Empower Voters

Susan Fiksdal

Part of our mission is providing information to voters so that they understand the voting process. Officials in our state have made sure that our elections are safe and secure. But there have been changes in the United States Postal Service (USPS) that everyone needs to be aware of.

USPS Postmark Concerns
In the primary election this year, for the first time in Washington State over 20,000 ballots did not arrive in time to be counted.

Most of these ballots were sent via USPS on or close to election day. Our mail is now processed and postmarked in six Local Processing Centers serving the state, and as a result mail does not receive a postmark on the day it is sent. Many voters used to toss their ballot into a US mailbox on election day. Now that practice guarantees their vote will not count!
A second, less common reason some ballots did not arrive in time is that voters used a Washington ballot box outside their county. When the ballots are sorted, those from other counties are sent via USPS to the county where they can be counted, introducing a time lag before processing. This year, seventy valid ballots arrived in Thurston County after the election was certified and could not be counted.

Best Practices

Use one of 31 ballot boxes in Thurston County.
If you must use USPS, ask the postal clerk at the post office to postmark your ballot by hand and vote early.
Track your ballot on VoteWA.gov, the state-wide portal. If it is not processed quickly, you can request another ballot by calling the Thurston County Elections Office at 360-786-5408. Do not worry about voting twice – only the first ballot received from each voter is processed.
You can also sign up for text notifications, so you will not need to check on your ballot each election.
Ignore text and email spam. You can verify your voter registration at VoteWa.Gov. If in doubt, call The Thurston County Elections Office at 360-786-5408.

We have three messages for voters:

Vote Early!
Use a Ballot Drop Box
Track your Ballot VoteWa.Gov

Ballot Processing Center Tour with Auditor Mary Hall

On Friday, October 16th , all League members are invited to meet at 12:45pm at the Elections/Voter Services Office, 2915 29th Ave SW, Tumwater to Vote Early & Use a Ballot Drop Box.

At 1:00pm, we will walk across the parking lot to the newly remodeled Ballot Processing Center at 2905 29 th Ave SW, where Auditor Mary Hall will give us a tour! This visit shows what happens to your ballot at every station and demonstrates that our elections are safe and secure.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR POWER!

Candidate Forum Schedule

Saturday, October 3rd

10-10:45 a.m. - Thurston County Clerk

11-11:45 a.m. - Thurston County Assessor

12:15-1:15 p.m. - Legislative District 35 Positions 1 & 2

Sunday, October 4th

10-10:45 a.m. - Thurston County Sheriff

11-12 p.m. - Public Utility Commission Districts 1 & 3

12:30-1:15 p.m. - Thurston County Commission

1:30-2:30 p.m. - Legislative District 22 Positions 1 & 2

Be a Voter Campaign During a Busy Election Season

Susan Fiksdal

Voter Services, recently partnered with two groups:

Community Engagement Ministry - held at New Life Baptist Church on September 12, where Dr. Thelma Jackson provided stirring words of the importance of holding on to voting rights that are being threatened in multiple ways. I provided a Voter Registration Training. We were meeting in the first black church founded in Thurston County, so the symbolism of the fight for voting rights led in part by black churches in the south in the 1960s resonated with many. This event was open to the public and we were pleased to have over 30 very engaged people in attendance. Thanks to Carol Goss, Phyllis Barney, and Judy Schroeter for their help.
Washington Youth Alliance – we partnered with them on September 15 at Capital High School to register voters on National Voter Registration Day. Gail Gosney-Wrede and Stacy DeStasio tabled with two students to encourage students to pre-register to vote if they were 16-17 and to register to vote if they were 18. A successful collaboration!

In addition, also on September 15, Brenda Paull, Gail Frare, and I were at the Tribal and State Leaders Health Summit sponsored by the American Indian Health Commission at Little Creek Casino and Resort in Shelton. We provided handouts and resources from the LWV table for three days at this statewide event.

We also tabled at two community events with the Thurston County Auditor:

Harbor Days where Candy Charlwood, Wendy Kitmacher, Barb Conley, Judy Schroeter, Rhonda Porter, Meg Jones, Barbara Buchan, and Randi Weston talked to lots of voters.
For Latin Night at Lacey Night Market, Leni Marshall, Holly Paul, Randi Weston, and Cynthia Pratt engaged lots of families.

At the end of August, Holley Rauen, Cynthia Pratt, and I tabled at St. Martin’s University and met a number of students who asked that we return!

Vote "NO" on Initiative 645

Let's make Washington's Highest Earners Pay Their Fair Share!

Washington has one of the most regressive tax structures in the nation.

Washington’s highest earners pay as little as 3% of their income in Washington state taxes, while our lowest earners pay as much as 13%. That’s a burden more than four times greater put on those least able to pay. The ‘millionaires’ tax’ begins to correct this imbalance and affects less than 1% of the population -Washingtonians who take home more than $1 million a year. Currently, wealthy
Washingtonians pay lower taxes here than they would pay in 42 other states. Learn more

Protect Vulnerable Kids: Register for the League’s Forum on Saturday, October 3 at 10:30 a.m.

Submitted by Karen Tvedt

There is still time to learn about why the LWVWA opposes Initiatives I-001 and I-638. Hear from health care professionals, educators, and others who will discuss why they are against I-001 and I-638. Register

I-001 and I-638 would be harmful to vulnerable kids and especially girls. Both are poorly written and violate long-standing League positions on equality of opportunity, DEI, equity in public education, and good government.

Initiative 001 is so poorly constructed that it conflicts with other state and federal laws, creating the potential for significant confusion. It weakens protections for victims of child abuse, negatively impacts parents’ notification rights, and discourages abuse victims from seeking help from trusted adults.

Initiative 638 would require all girls – but not boys – seeking to participate in sports to provide a statement signed by a health care provider verifying their biological sex. It could require thousands of middle and high school girls to undergo invasive genital examinations to participate in school sports.

This session is designed to educate League members about what these initiatives would do if passed, how our opposition aligns with League positions, and to give you an opportunity to get your questions answered. Our goal is you will leave the session prepared to talk with family members, friends, and neighbors about why these initiatives are harmful.

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the Squaxin Island Tribe on October 12th

Loretta Seppanen

Each year the Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia invite the public to a midday Indigenous People’s Day celebration. This year’s event will be held Monday October 12 at Squaxin Park from 11:30 to 2:30, Shelter #4, at 2600 East Bay Drive Northeast, Olympia. That shelter area is on the west side of Squaxin Park (opposite side of the park from the Rose Garden). The event features characteristic Squaxin hospitality with cultural performances, guest speakers,
storytelling, prayer, and food. I plan to bring my own lunch to leave more food for tribal members. Visitors might be called to join in some of the circle dances.

Wear orange to show support and raise awareness for Indigenous Peoples' traditions, history, and community struggles.

The event is free. Given limited parking, visitors are encouraged to catch a free complimentary shuttle running every 30 minutes from the Olympia Farmer's Market District lot, starting at 11 a.m. or ride the bus (Route 21/Friendly Grove).

Join us for LWVTC’s In-Person Orientation and Engagement Workshop Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join with others who want to make a difference and learn how to channel energy into impact!

Meet League leaders and members who show up in our community to put the League’s values into practice – implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, and supporting belonging throughout our work. Whether you are brand new to the League, want to get more involved, or simply want to know more about the League’s work, this workshop is for you!

Location: Panorama’s Pavilion building at 1751 Circle Lane SE, just off Sleater Kinney Rd. SE, Lacey. Park at the Panorama Rehab Center at 1600 Sleater Kinney Rd., with easy access to the Pavilion.

Breakfast snacks, coffee, and beverages are available.

To Register: go to https://www.lwvthurston.org/, scroll down to Upcoming Events, click on the 10/24 event title, and register with your name and cell phone number. Do invite and register friends who are interested in learning about the League.

Reimagining Membership - LWVTC Members Matter!!
Zoom Meeting on October 20 th from 5-7:30pm

Join us to explore the various elements of the Membership Committee on October 20th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Discover ways you might support members and create connections for engagement. To learn more, check out our website for an explanatory graphic, link here (scroll down to the bottom of the webpage).

Questions? Email Membership@LWVthurston.org
Join Zoom Meeting here.

Treaty Justice is the Next LWVTC Multicultural Book Group Choice

Loretta Seppanen

Plan to join other readers to discuss Treaty Justice: The Northwest Tribes, the Boldt Decision, and the Recognition of Fishing Rights by Charles Wilkinson. The book group meets every other month, typically via Zoom, and this book wiill be discussed on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Partly personal memoirs of the author’s encounters with people involved in the seminal Boldt Decision (U.S. v. Washington (1974)), this is also a history book, focused on local tribal history. It looks at tribal fisheries and views of treaty rights as they existed in the Washington Territory treaty making period (1854-55). The book focuses as well on the capacity of tribes to manage modern fisheries during the Boldt trial period (1970-74). At the trial, the State of Washington maintained that tribes lacked the expertise needed for complex, technical fisheries management. Tribal lawyers provided evidence that some tribes had fisheries management staff with expertise equal to that of State staff. Treaty Justice also covers the four decades of legal and political change regarding tribal fishing rights that followed the Boldt decision.

Wilkinson is eminently qualified for this writing. He was, until his death, a professor of Native American Law. Billy Frank, Jr. asked Wilkinson, his lifelong friend, to write this book in a readable and accessible format. This book accomplishes exactly that.

No sign-up is required to participate. Simply secure a print or e-copy of the book at a local used bookstore or at Timberland Regional Library and start reading. This local history will fascinate readers.

The Zoom link will be available on the LWVTC calendar a few days before the November 10 event.

Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition of South Puget Sound (APIC SPS) Leadership Event on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

A Compass to Leadership: Building Our Future Together

At this empowering event, leaders from a variety of sectors will share their stories and best practices on topics including leadership styles, financial freedom, integrating cultural roots and values, finding your voice, and exploring different career paths. Participants will build practical leadership skills, discuss why we want to be leaders, network with mentors, peers and allies, and create pathways for continuous growth.

This is an In-Person Free Event - register here

When: Saturday November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who Should Attend: High school and college students, parents, community partners and staff, including those who aspire to be leaders or are already leaders in their communities are all strongly encouraged to attend!
Location: River Ridge High School, 305 College St. NE, Lacey, WA
Provided: a light lunch will be provided
Registration Deadline: before November 7, seating is limited

Join us to connect, grow, and influence positive change while building leadership skills and strengthening our communities!

Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition of South Puget Sound (APIC SPS) is a non-profit organization that advocates for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA-NH/PI) communities, bringing Asian Pacific Americans together, including immigrants, refugees, and citizens, and using collective strength to empower and advocate for the community.

Walk with the League near The Evergreen State College October 15 at 1 p.m.

Mark your calendars for an end of season Walk with the League on Thursday, October 15 at 1 p.m., beginning at League member Brenda Paull’s home. We will walk through about two miles of a beautiful, forested area near The Evergreen State College. Wear appropriate walking shoes; the walk is not strenuous but there are some ups and downs. After the walk, there will be light refreshments at Brenda’s home. We hope you will join us!

Rainy Weather Plan B: This event will be shifted to the following week, and we will walk on Thursday, October 22 at 1 p.m.

We will email the address and directions as we get closer to the date.

Last month's walkers at Tumwater Falls Park

In Remembrance of Jill Severn

Jill Severn, passed away on the Autumn Equinox on September 21, 2026. Jill was a powerful voice for local democracy, whether she was fiercely advocating for local journalism at community forums, opening her own beautiful Olympia garden to raise funds for the LWVTC, or working closely on internal committees to champion tribal sovereignty and Indian Treaty Rights. Her life was a testament to the power of active citizenship, and she will be deeply missed by the community she spent her life strengthening. Jill leaves behind a profound legacy of civic devotion and community stewardship. Through her deep collaboration with our League and the state League, Jill transformed how Washingtonians understand democracy. As the author of the widely celebrated "The State We're In" civics textbook series, she gave students and citizens a vital blueprint for understanding governance and tribal history.

Check LWVTC's Calendar!

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EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.

The League of Women Voters, 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.