“Somehow we must be able to show people that democracy is not about words, but about action.” -Eleanor Roosevelt, past vice president of the League of Women Voters USA

In this critical election year, scores of League members and friends of the League are doing just that – making democracy work. These three words are what motivates us at the League. We are making democracy work every time we register a citizen, update their address, talk about the upcoming election, give them a yellow bookmark, or thank them for being a voter. And the newsletter shows that work in action.  The League is hard at work to meet the unprecedented challenges facing our country with an unparalleled campaign to revive democracy and engage citizens. We continue to keep our focus on the central player – the voters. We are making sure that they are not out of the information loop by giving them the information they need about voting and elections.   I urge you to get engaged with our Empowering Voters Project (details here ), if you are not already helping out. To promote a strong, vital, and functioning democracy, the League needs YOU. Help us be at the forefront of bold efforts to strengthen democracy right here in the San Antonio area. Madhu Sridhar, President League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area

February Events

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Conversations with Council The League’s Program Committee is planning an exciting next few weeks. We’re inviting League members to conversations with individual City Council members. The sessions will take place in the evening (6:00 p.m.) and we hope in the council person’s district. We’re starting off with District One and its councilman, Roberto Trevino. The date is Monday, February 10, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at the councilman’s field office, which has plenty of parking. This get-together is only for League members, and our intention is to hear what the council member considers important issues for his district and the city. And we will be able to ask questions and provide information about League concerns.  This session is not only for people in District One. Councilman Trevino is an important and influential representative, and his point of view should interest all of us. You are all invited. Please email Evelyn Bonavita at ebonavita@satx.rr.com if you plan to attend.

Voter Guide / VOTE411 The herculean task of collecting and preparing candidate information for the upcoming primary has produced a Voter Guide packed with useful, nonpartisan detail for voters. This information will also be available on VOTE411.org by February 4th . The printed guides are expected by February 5th and will be in most of the places you normally find The Current the same day. The Voter Guide will also be distributed to the city libraries by February 10th .

For the Future–San Antonio   Candidate Forum The League joins with Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Texas public education, in co-sponsoring a State Senate District 19 candidate forum on January 30 focusing on education-related topics, both statewide and local. All candidates on the ballot have been invited. Texas A&M University San Antonio is hosting the event. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the forum begins at 6:30 p.m.

Another  For the Future  candidate forum is scheduled for February 13 with Texas House District 121 candidates. The forum will be held in the MacArthur High School Auditorium, beginning at 6:30 p.m .

Women Power the Vote Day of Action It's not all hearts and flowers on February 14th . It's also the birthday of the U.S. League of Women Voters, the day Carrie Chapman Catt founded the organization. The San Antonio League is participating in a national day of action to celebrate. During the day, the League will sponsor information tables at four libraries across the city. In the evening, the League will host a table at The Pearl at a special Valentine's Day edition of Sunset Sessions, with music provided by Sound Cream. Volunteer opportunities will be available through SignUp Genius.

Important Election Dates February 3: Last day to register to vote in the March 3rd primary Extended Voter Registration Hours at the Bexar County Elections Office: * Saturday, February 1: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM * Sunday, February 2: 12:00 PM (Noon)–4:00 PM * Monday, February 3: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM  February 18: First day of early voting for national, state, and county primary February 21: Last day Bexar County Elections office can receive a By mail/Absentee ballot application for the March 3 primary* * Bexar Elections Office does not recommend waiting until this date. Turnaround time to produce the ballot and delays in mail delivery can affect timely receipt of the ballot by the voter. * Check "Annual Application" to apply once for all elections in a calendar year (Box 6a). * You do need to check Republican Primary or Democratic Primary to get a ballot for the primary (Box 6a / Box 6b). * The application is returned to the requestor if there are errors or omissions, including missing signature. * Ballot must be received in the Elections Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. February 28: Last day of early voting

March 3: Election Day Vote at any polling station in Bexar county.

Upcoming Bexar County VDR Training  February 11: Bexar County Elections Office, 1103 S. Frio, Suite 100. There are two sessions that day at the Frio Street location, one at 10 a.m. and one at 6 p.m. You can find information and can register for a class at Volunteer Deputy Registrar training. The links to the classes are toward the bottom of the page.

Signing Up  The League continues to support events at The Pearl, the outreach at the libraries, and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. There are other events that will be coming online later this month as details are worked out. And there are new requests for the League presence at other events throughout the month. In January, League members and friends of the League distinguished themselves with their participation and enthusiasm. And there are opportunities for that to continue in February. The events currently scheduled for February are posted and can be found here . Through the use of SignUp Genius, organizers and volunteers know where an event is fully covered and where some shifting needs to happen to make sure an event is covered. With that in mind, there is a housekeeping request for volunteers. If you sign up for an event and your availability changes, please be sure to remove yourself from the sign-up. Just open the confirmation email for the shift, click "Edit My Sign-Up" near the pencil icon at the bottom of the page, click DELETE, and then click YES to confirm you wish to delete your sign-up. The event organizer then has a better idea of coverage, and other volunteers have an opportunity to be a part of an event.

January Happenings

We started the new year with a stated goal of 60 events in 60 days. And the response to that goal has been heartening. League members are volunteering and participating in events, talking to our fellow citizens about the process of voting, helping them register to vote or to update their registration, and building enthusiasm for voting. Here are some of the events League volunteers attended or participated in.

Voter Outreach VDR Trainings

Two voter outreach training sessions for VDRs were held at the Landa Library in January. Because there was such interest in the information offered in the training, the two sessions filled to capacity pretty quickly.

Another training session is planned for February 15th , at the Westfall Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Sign up for the training using this form.

Outreach at the Libraries League volunteers have shown up at libraries across San Antonio to talk to voters, encouraging participation in the primaries. Important information about the open polling in Bexar county and the new voting machines, as well as identifying online and print resources, were offered. Because many of the libraries were in neighborhoods with traditionally low voter turnout, the goal was to empower these citizens to view themselves as voters and to participate in voting with confidence.

Sundays at the Pearl

In January, the League resumed voter outreach and registration at The Pearl Brewery during the Sunday farmer’s market. The venue has been a great opportunity to raise awareness of the upcoming elections and to encourage voters to participate.

Volunteers are busy with the basic business of a VDR, registering new arrivals to Bexar county and helping registered voters with change of address. They also take the opportunity to spread the word about the new voting machines and the need to confirm voting choices on the summary card. Voters are also reminded of the new open polling that's available during early voting and on Election Day. Everyone who visits the League table leaves with at least the informational bookmark.

MLK, Jr March

The morning was cold, but the sky was clear Texas blue, perfect January weather for a march. According to the  Express-News , tens of thousands of people participated in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March in San Antonio on January 20th.

League members and friends of the League were part of the action, registering voters, giving out information on the upcoming primary election, and directing folks to VOTE411.org for nonpartisan election information. Many thanks to all who participated.

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