Observer Reports: March 2026 Newsletter

Posted by & filed under Observer Reports.

Check out our new look!

Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.

 

Thank you to observers Elvera Johnson, Paul Post, and Vicki Arnett for attending city and county meetings in the past month, and keeping us informed on the major items discussed. This month’s reports includes coverage of county solar regulation plans, election security, and the selection of the next City Council member representing District 8 after Spencer Duncan was elected to the office of Mayor. It was a big month in local government news!

The most recent report is available to open as a pdf. 

 

League members sitting at table during monthly board meeting

Interested in joining the observer corps? Send us an email today.

Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn

President’s Perspective: March 2026

Posted by & filed under President's Perspective.

Greetings and Merry March,

These few months have been a full whirlwind trying to stay abreast of the large volume of legislative bills regarding elections (or more appropriately given the nature of the majority of bills introduced, non-election bills)!  The legislature is trying to wrap up this session by the end of March so they can begin their election campaigning.

The quality of bills introduced appear to be generated by a strategic and myopic focus to impose restrictions on voting access, increase administrative burden, and disregard proven data that voter fraud in Kansas is significantly less than 1%.

To counteract the impact of the behavior, we must be alert on the actions of the legislature, educate each other on the ramifications, and speak truth to power.

Legislative focus

I am extending this month’s message to include Information on bills introduced and the position of the LWVTSC below:

HB 2437 – This bill proposes to expand the list of data sources that can be used to remove people from voter registration rolls. It would need careful monitoring to ensure people are not improperly removed and that electors data is not improperly shared with unauthorized or unknown users.

HB 2438 – This bill limits the ways people can register online to vote. This bill would target the dismantling of websites that have been vetted to seek registration of voters for years and have been more reliable than even the Secretary of State website, which has gone down and does not always provide effective data.  Most importantly, this bill sets up a monopoly which forces the funneling of people interested in registering, and could promote a system shutdown, limiting the people’s access during critical election windows.

HB 2447 – This bill institutes a presidential preference primary beginning in March 2028. It could add additional costs and is simply an ineffective proposal.

HB 2448 – This bill appears to require citizenship status to be listed on KS driver’s licenses. Status could become outdated since licenses are valid for 6 years. Also, the passage of this bill could be dangerous in racial profiling which is always an ongoing concern for our communities of color. This state has worked diligently to minimize racial profiling only to have this committee try to reinstate the practice.  We appear to be going in reverse of enhancing voting rights!

HB 2451 – This bill appears to prohibit use of state and local government assets to advocate for or against ballot questions. It could limit the flow of information to voters. This is significant as voters have a right to be informed voters and this can only be done through open access rather than imposing restrictions.

HB 2452 – This bill appears to move local elections to even-numbered years. It would lead to excessively long ballots with local elections at the end and subject to voter fatigue.  It also would significantly enhance confusion for voters thus jeopardizing the ability to seek or become informed on voting issues.

HB 2493 – This bill would require a person delivering an advance voting ballot to be a qualified elector and to put their driver’s license number on the ballot envelope. It limits who can transport ballots; and a person’s driver’s license number is unnecessary. This is significant overreach that can only lead to voter suppression and strips the freedom from advance voters who have chosen to have others deliver their ballots.  The current process is significant enough to aid in the advance ballot process without bogging the process down administratively and for Kansas voters.

HB 2494 – This bill allows candidates in a nonpartisan election to add their party or political affiliation to their name on the ballot. This bill has no positive added value except to a political party rather than to the people of Kansas.  Part of the escalated issues and conflict now on election bills introduced by the Election Committee this year is because of a partial party focus rather than focusing on the desires of Kansas residents overall. It goes without saying that this bill compromises the nonpartisan nature of local elections.

HCR 5021 – This bill proposes to amend the Kansas Constitution to require a photo ID issued by the state or federal government to vote. This bill is not necessary given the current requirements for voting and is also another strategy for adding insult to injury.  Enough!

The LWVTSC has aligned with other local organizations to collectively push back against voter suppression.  Please join us  by contacting your legislator and voicing your opinion verbally or in writing.  Encouraging others to do so will certainly help.  Thank you in advance.

Tuesday Topics

The word that comes to my mind when summarizing our February presentation is Powerful!

Former Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier shared some comprehensive information about the current structure of the Supreme Court merit selection process and how the proposed constitution amendment to change the selection process would impact voters. Her invite to speak is part of the league’s mission of working to create informed voters.

We thank Carol for all that she is going to help voters understand the impact behind the vote on the constitutional amendment ballot question scheduled to be voted upon in August 2026.

Young Adults Advocacy Initiative

We are restructuring our new initiative – Young adult legislative advocacy.  If this is a passion for you, we need you. If you have skills or hobbies that include mentoring, teaching, debate, public speaking, research, legislative advocacy, social media and/ or tech marketing, this committee is for you!  This role is very important in including our young adults in civic engagement while promoting the work of our organization.

Our lifeblood – you!

Our renewal campaign is actively underway!  If you haven’t renewed yet, please consider doing so.  You are important to our organization!!   If you know anyone who would be a great fit for our organization, please forward them our contact information. In addition, we continue to send invitation letters to non-partisan organizations and individuals encouraging them to join us in defending and strengthening democracy, definitely a task where we continue to need all hands on deck.

Our recent membership is at 228 and growing! However, we need to have our student members to stay the course on renewing their membership.  We grow stronger because of you. You are our lifeblood.  Thank you and for all you do!!

Welcome to our New members! Claudia, Kathy and  Courtney!!  We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!

Thank you to our renewing members: We appreciate all you do! Let’s get busy!!

Legislative Action

Here is a link to the Election Committee site.  This is how you can help:

  • Access this site weekly to determine progress
  • Watch for our Legislative Action Alerts
  • Sign up to be a testimonial writer
  • Sign up to be an observer
  • Sign up to be a member speaker
  • If interested in signing up, please contact me at President@lwvtsc.org
  • Watch or participate in committee meetings on www.kslegislature.org

League affiliate updates

The 2026 LWV National Convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio at the Hilton Columbus Downtown.  It starts on Thursday, June 25, 2026 and ends Sunday June 28, 2026.  Registration for the Convention is now open. Check the LWVUS website for details.  The convention is open to all members. The LWVUS is also offering limited scholarships for convention attendance in person and virtually.  See the attached link. https://events.lwv.org/event/Convention2026/scholarship

The LWVK Legislative Day at the Capitol was extremely rewarding!  We were energized by speakers on legislative updates, Medicaid, and the Constitutional  Amendment.  In addition, the LWVTSC arranged time to personally visit with legislators on our legislative priorities and talk about specific bills introduced as well as attend committee meetings.

Consider joining our LWVUS  Unite & Rise 8.5 effort which aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise against the anti- democratic actions of this administration. Go to LWV.org to sign up!

NOW AVAILABLE: Civic Action Toolkit During ICE Activity and Related Blog With immigration enforcement activity increasing in our communities, it can create fear, confusion, and barriers to participation in civic life. Leagues can now review our civic action toolkit on the League Management Site to learn how to show up safely, lawfully, and in solidarity during ICE activity.

o LWVUS has a new blog post describing what’s happening with ICE and how to respond, including Know Your Rights information.

Voter Services

Unfortunately we have a vacancy for a voter services chair or co chair positions.  This position is vitally important to our organization as it is our outreach component in ensuring we connect with our voter base.  Through Voter Services, the League of Women Voters provides non-partisan information to our community on the structure and functions of government and the political parties and on voting procedures, election issues, and candidates. If you and a friend are interested, please let us know and we can provide details.

Let’s get to the POINT!

Feel free to continue to connect with our voter services team!  Things are gearing up and this  is a great time to get on board and express your interest in participating. Join them on the POINT application and get in on the experience!   They are outreaching to the community providing education on registration and voting.  Below is the link to volunteer for our events.

Volunteer

💜💜Your board members are always available to answer questions and help you move the League’s mission forward. Feel free to reach out!

Remember as we work to protect democracy, Teamwork makes the dream work!

Best regards,

Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, President

Community Connections

It is important for us to share and exchange events held by our collaborators.  We also extend an invite for our members to participate as interested. See partner events below.

  1. The Topeka Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, warmly invites your organization to support and share in an upcoming community fundraiser—the Chili & Cinnamon Roll Cook-Off. Whether you’re a chili champ or a cinnamon roll lover, this event is all about fun, flavor, and friendly competition. Bring your appetite, your taste buds, and your best recipes, or just come to enjoy the tasty creations and good vibes. Don’t miss out on this delicious showdown! Event details are outlined below:

📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026
🕛 12:00–4:00 PM
📍 CRC CARE Center @ Stout (2303 SW College Avenue, Topeka, KS 66611)

This event will feature friendly competition, community fellowship, and awards for Best Chili, Best Cinnamon Rolls, and Fan Favorite. Community members who wish to enter the competition may do so without an entry fee; however, competitors are required to submit 8 quarts of chili or two dozen cinnamon rolls to participate. The deadline to sign up for the competition is February 21, 2026.

👉 Competition Sign-Up Link: https://forms.gle/i6LQGpW31PZAcC3s5

Community members are invited to attend and enjoy tastings for $20.00. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance via Eventbrite. Cash and credit card payments will also be accepted at the door on the day of the event.

👉 Purchase a Ticket via Eventbrite: https://TAC-DSTFUNDRAISER.eventbrite.com

💛 Proceeds with Purpose: Proceeds from this fundraiser will directly benefit the Topeka and Lawrence communities by supporting the Topeka Alumnae Chapter’s local programming initiatives and educational scholarships for local high school students pursuing higher education.

We would greatly appreciate your assistance in sharing this opportunity with your members, staff, or network. For additional information or questions, please contact us at topekadst@gmail.com, or reach out to Fundraiser Committee Chair Tami Farr-Smith at tefsmith912@sbcglobal.net or 785-969-6538.

Thank you for supporting community engagement and youth education in our area.

  1. The Topeka ( KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosts its Third Annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. at the Townsite Tower Ballroom, 535 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka,, KS, Tickets $75. Www.topekalinksinc.org or call 785-845-1099.  Wear your Crown!!  Save the Date.
  2. Many thanks to our advocacy partners, Loud Light and ACLU for uniting in legislative testimony against the voter suppression bills.  The LWVK and LWVTSC have been diligently submitting testimony as have other local leagues in actively advocating against election bills this session that propose to strip or reduce voting access and rights. Updates on how you can help are shared in Action Alerts.
  3. Kansas Black Legislative day invited us to table at their event on February 9.  The event had nearly 150 in attendance and We had 21 sign up with interest in receiving League information or in membership. We thank them for thinking of us.

Remember: If you have a community group interested in learning about the recent proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution, which eliminates the merit selection of Supreme Court Justices, please reach out to the League and we will connect you with a resource to come make presentations to your group(s).

Legislative Session Resource

I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed or passed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.

  • Sen. Brenda Dietrich  Room #223-E  785.296.7648Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Rick Kloos  Room # 418-E  785.296.7645Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E  785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E  785.296.7656Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
  • Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W  785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N  785.296.7374Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N  785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S  785.296.7673Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W  785.296.7460Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen    785.296.7669 Room #174-W    Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S  785.296.7632Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S  785.296.7104virgil.weigel@house.ks.gov

Furthermore, you may access the Kansas Legislative website at http://kslegislature.gov to review bill status and content, house and senate calendars and committee schedules.  Through this website you may listen to or via video streaming follow committee hearings and General Session proceedings. 

An additional resource is the State Library.  You may access their services in the following ways:

  • Phone:800-432-3919 or 785-296-2149
  • Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
  • Email: infodesk@ks.gov
  • Download the Ask a Librarian app to your mobile device.

Taking Action for Democracy – February 2026 Updates.

Posted by & filed under Action Alert.

Dear League Members,

In collaboration with LWV Kansas and LWV US, our league is watching state and federal legislation and taking action to support policies that strengthen democracy. See below for several pieces of legislation that have implications in our community. But first, some reminders about how you can help:

Contact Your Lawmakers

Step 1: Look up your state and federal lawmakers by typing in your address at www.openstates.org.

Step 2: Save their contact information in your phone or address book.

Step 3: Scroll down for pieces of legislation being considered now, in February 2026. You can search other legislation at www.kslegislature.gov and www.congress.gov.

Step 3: Take 10 minutes to send an email or make a phone call to your representatives in Kansas and DC to let them know how you feel about these bills.

State Legislation

  • HB 2448: Requiring citizenship status on drivers licenses. Bill was passed by the House and may be considered by the Senate any time. The LWVTSC opposes this bill.
  • HB 2493: Requiring people who transport a ballot to put their drivers license number on the ballot envelope. This bill was passed by the House Elections Committee and may see a House vote and Senate action soon. The LWVTSC opposes this bill.
  • HB 2451: Prohibiting use of public assets to advocate for or against ballot questions. The bill was passed by the House and may be considered by the Senate any time. The LWVTSC opposes this bill.
  • HB 2452: Changing school board and municipal elections to be on the ballot with state and federal elections in even-number years, i.e. moving local elections to even-numbered years. The bill was passed by the House Elections Committee and may see a House vote and Senate action soon. The LWVTSC opposes this bill.
  • HB 2438: Requiring all online voter registrations to go through a .gov website or SOS approved website. This bill was passed by the Kansas House and is being worked in Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. The LWVTSC opposes this bill.

Federal Legislation

  • Tell Congress to oppose the SAVE Act suite of bills.
  • Tell Congress that federal immigration enforcement has gone too far.

Seeking LWVTSC Climate Award Nominees

Posted by & filed under Climate Committee.

Who do you know who has stepped up to the challenges of our changing climate?

The League’s Climate Committee is seeking nominees for the first LWVTSC Climate Award

We are looking for nominees who use creative approaches to address climate and energy issues or policies and have had an impact on areas such as energy conservation, sustainable economic growth, health and social benefit, or who have influenced climate and energy policies in Shawnee County. Nominees should also exhibit leadership that motivates and engages others in the pursuit of sustainable energy goals and climate change-related harm mitigation. In keeping with the League’s nonpartisan stance, we are seeking nominees who are not currently serving in or campaigning for elective office.

Please submit your nominations on the nomination form.
The deadline is February 16.

The awardee will be announced at the LWVTSC Annual Meeting in April 2026, and the recipient will be asked to make a presentation to the membership at the meeting.

The LWVTSC Climate Committee will select two finalists from nominations made by League members. The LWVTSC Board will choose the awardee. In making its selections to present to the Board, the Committee will consider:
• The length of time the nominee has been involved in mitigating harm to the climate at the local level
• The nominee’s success achieving sustainability and climate change harm reduction goals
o By raising community awareness, including conducting community education
o By successfully influencing local policy

If you have questions, contact Vicki Arnett.

 

The Voter: February 2026 Newsletter

Posted by & filed under Voter.

Stay up to date on LWV happenings in Topeka and Shawnee County!

Calendar of Events

Thursday | January 29 | 9am | Kansas State Capitol
LWV Kansas League Day at the Capitol. Register Here. The deadline to register is January 22 TODAY, and the cost is $10 due at time of check-in at the event. Lunch included.

Tuesday | February 3 | Noon | Marvin 101BC at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Tuesday Topics Speaker: Justice Carol Beier (Retired) will educate about the processes of amending the Kansas Constitution and the selection of Supreme Court Judges. View more information.

Friday | February 13 | 11am | Anton Room, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Book: Poverty, by America, by Matthew Desmond

Tuesday | February 17 at 12pm | LWVTSC Climate Committee | Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
All members welcome to join, please contact Vicki Arnett.

For dates of upcoming Voter Education, Voter Registration, Board Meetings, and more, please view the events calendar on our website.

Presidents Perspective

Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn

Greetings and Happy Valentine’s Month,

You each are loved for what you do to make our world a better place. Who would think that such efforts would become challenging but we continue to face negative energy every day. We must stay resilient in strengthening our democracy or it shall fade; we must stay purposeful in protecting and promoting voting rights or they will be diminished, and we must be mindful of educating those unaware of how important democracy is and why it is necessary or they will become forgotten forms of our imagination. Read More.

 

Local Observer Reports

A circle button with the LWV logo along with "Observer Corps."LWV observers keep you informed about what is happening in local government. The Local Observer Corps volunteers attend city, county and school board meetings and take notes.
 

Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.

Observer Reports will be posted on our website to help get our members this useful and actionable information in a more timely manner.  

Have you renewed your league membership for 2026?

Renewing has never been easier, just follow this link to the Join/Renew section of our website. Everything you need to know is there.

Become a Member Today | LWVTSC

If you’re not sure its time for you to renew, send me an email and I’ll check for you: allanpqz@gmail.com
-Allan Foster, Membership Chair

Tuesday Topics is February 3

Join us at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library for our monthly civic education presentation. For February, we will hear from the Honorable Carol Beier, retired Kansas Supreme Court Justice, on our state’s judicial selection process. The presentation is on Tuesday, February 3, from 12pm to 1pm. View all the event details, including how to join by Zoom, on the library’s website.

January Recap:

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Detective Joe Kinnett of the Topeka Police Department Financial Crimes Unit spoke about avoiding consumer fraud and scams. A 23-year veteran of TPD, Detective Kinnett has spent the last 10 years in the Financial Crimes Unit. Kinnett holds multiple certifications, including Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Crypto Compliance Specialist and Advanced Crypto Investigator through TRM Labs. He also serves on the federal Cyber Fraud Task Force and is proud to be a part of Operation Shamrock, a group that is leading the charge to combat specific cyber-based scams.

WHO TO CONTACT FOR HELP FIRST
The type of account or issue someone experiences impacts who they contact for help first.

• Bank account/wire transfer – Your financial institution
• Credit card – Credit card company
• Deed – Register of Deeds
• Car Title – Kansas Department of Revenue (ksrevenue.gov)
• Identity theft – Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov) or – IC3 (ic3.gov)
• Cryptocurrency – Cryptocurrency ATM or Exchange
 Chainabuse (chainabuse.com); Operation Shamrock (operationshamrock.org)
• Securities – Securities and Exchange Commission (sec.gov)
• Consumer Protection – Kansas Attorney General’s Office (ag.ks.gov)

Additional resources that Detective Kinnett mentioned are available under the public library’s Legal Resources regarding Avoiding Scams and Fraud
https://tscpl.org/research-tools#legal-resources

Especially recommended for support after a scam or fraud incident,  AARP Fraud Watch Network is a free resource for everyone of any age; you do not have to be an AARP member.  Helpline: 877-908-3360 is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Speak with trained specialists who can provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future.

As he began his talk, Detective Joe Kinnett of the Topeka Police Department Financial Crimes Unit joked with the audience that we would not be doing “trust falls” together but that the information he shared might give us “trust issues.” Throughout his talk, he shared examples of the ways that criminals victimize people by raising their emotional response and pushing them to act quickly. 

Join the LWVTSC Book Club

The LWVTSC book club meets at 11 am on the second Friday of every month. We’re currently meeting in the Anton Room on the 2nd floor of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Lunch in the Millennium Café following the discussion is optional. Anyone is welcome. Contact Carole Jordan for more information.

Upcoming titles:
February 13 – Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
March 13 – Stolen Pride, by Arlie Russell Hochschild
April 10 – Maus, by Art Spiegelman

LWV Board Updates

Unite and Rise 8.5: A LWVUS Initiative to Defend Democracy

Unite & Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration. Launching in May 2025 and running until the 2026 midterm elections, this initiative is part of our Women Defend Democracy campaign. 

Unite and Rise 8.5 will fight for our democracy on multiple fronts, from the courts to the streets. More actions will be outlined in the future, but there are several actions along with more information at https://www.lwv.org/uniteandrise. 

 

Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn

President’s Perspective: February 2026

Posted by & filed under President's Perspective.

Greetings and Happy Valentine’s Month,

You each are loved for what you do to make our world a better place. Who would think that such efforts would become challenging but we continue to face negative energy every day. We must stay resilient in strengthening our democracy or it shall fade; we must stay purposeful in protecting and promoting voting rights or they will be diminished, and we must be mindful of educating those unaware of how important democracy is and why it is necessary or they will become forgotten forms of our imagination.

Tuesday Topics

We brought in the new year with relevant information presented on how to avoid scams by Detective Joe Kinnett from the Financial Crimes Unit of the Topeka Police Department. He shared some realistic tips and scenarios to keep us safe against or at least mindful of unsavory acts of online scams. Many thanks to Detective Kinnett!

In February, we will host Carol A. Beier, a former Kansas Supreme Court justice. Before Justice Beier’s time on the bench, she practiced at Foulston & Siefkin in Wichita and Arent Fox in Washington, D.C., and worked as a Georgetown Law fellow at the National Women’s Law Center and as a law clerk for Judge James K. Logan of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She will be sharing information on the proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution, which seeks to eliminate the merit selection of Supreme Court Justices.

We are restructuring our new initiative – Young adult legislative advocacy. If this is a passion for you, we need you. If you have skills or hobbies that include mentoring, teaching, debate, public speaking, research, legislative advocacy, social media and/ or tech marketing, this committee is for you! This role is very important in including our young adults in civic engagement while promoting the work of our organization.

Our renewal campaign is actively underway! If you haven’t renewed yet, please consider doing so. You are important to our organization!! If you know anyone who would be a great fit for our organization, please forward them our contact information. In addition, we continue to send invitation letters to non-partisan organizations and individuals encouraging them to join us in defending and strengthening democracy, definitely a task where we continue to need all hands on
deck.

Legislative Action!!

The legislative session began on January 12 and it is certainly time for us to put our boots and heels on the ground, in the committee meetings and the chambers. Strengthening democracy is our mission and we illustrate it through improving voting rights and increasing voting access. You would think these would be fairly easy tasks to accomplish and maintain. Yet, with each legislative session, it becomes a tug of war. It is a struggle with those who want to impose restrictions on our rights and access.

Below are bills recently introduced in the House Election Committee where we need your voice, action, and commitment.

HB 2438 – seeks to impose restrictions on websites that can be used for registering voters (but exempts government entities ending with .gov). Such restrictions set up a monopoly and cannot be guaranteed full system security or secured data. Other websites such as KsVotes.org has been vetted as reliable and safe.

HB 2437– This bill seeks to address Voter Roll Management by using various resources (governmental and non-governmental entities) to cross verify citizenship. This is concerning because the person has no knowledge of the shared information, it also increases opportunities to accidentally remove individuals. There is no estimation as to how much level of effort will be put into this process or if such effort is even required.

Here is a link to the Election Committee site. This is how you can help:

● Access this site weekly to determine progress
● Watch for our Legislative Action Alerts
● Sign up to be a testimonial writer
● Sign up to be an observer
● Sign up to be a member speaker
● If interested in signing up, please contact me at President@lwvtsc.org
● Watch or participate in committee meetings on www.kslegislature.org

The 2026 LWV National Convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. It starts on Thursday, June 25, 2026 and ends Sunday June 28, 2026. Registration for the Convention is now open. Check the LWVUS website for details. The convention is open to all  members.

Please plan to join us at the Capitol on January 29 for LWVK Legislative Day at the Capitol. Check in begins at 8:30am with the program starting at 9am. League members from across the state will be engaging with our legislators.

Consider joining our LWVUS Unite & Rise 8.5 effort which aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise against the anti- democratic actions of this administration. Go to LWV.org to sign up!

Our recent membership is at 224 and growing! It is all because of you. You are our lifeblood. Thank you and for all you do!!

Welcome to our New members! We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!

Thank you to our renewing members: We appreciate all you do! Let’s get busy!!

Let’s get to the POINT!

Feel free to continue to connect with our voter services team! Although many of the events are wrapping up for the year, our planning never ends. This is a great time to get on board and express your interest in participating. Join them on the POINT application and get in on the experience! They are outreaching to the community providing education on registration and voting.

💜💜Your board members are always available to answer questions and help you move the League’s mission forward. Feel free to reach out!

Remember as we work to protect democracy, Teamwork makes the dream work!

Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, President

Community Connections

If you have a community group interested in learning about the recent proposed
amendment to the Kansas Constitution, which eliminates the merit selection of Supreme Court
Justices, please reach out to the League and we will connect you with a resource to come make
presentations to your group(s).

Legislative Session Resource

I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed or passed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.

  • Sen. Brenda Dietrich  Room #223-E  785.296.7648Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Rick Kloos  Room # 418-E  785.296.7645Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E  785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E  785.296.7656Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
  • Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W  785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N  785.296.7374Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N  785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S  785.296.7673Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W  785.296.7460Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen    785.296.7669 Room #174-W    Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S  785.296.7632Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S  785.296.7104virgil.weigel@house.ks.gov

Furthermore, you may access the Kansas Legislative website at http://kslegislature.gov to review bill status and content, house and senate calendars and committee schedules.  Through this website you may listen to or via video streaming follow committee hearings and General Session proceedings. 

An additional resource is the State Library.  You may access their services in the following ways:

  • Phone:800-432-3919 or 785-296-2149
  • Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
  • Email: infodesk@ks.gov
  • Download the Ask a Librarian app to your mobile device.

Observer Reports: February 2026 Newsletter

Posted by & filed under Observer Reports.

Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.

 

Thank you to observers Elvera Johnson, Paul Post, Vicki Arnett, and  for attending the December and January meetings and keeping us informed on the major items discussed. This month’s reports include City Council, County Commission, and the Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board.

The most recent report is available to open as a pdf. 

 

League members sitting at table during monthly board meeting

Interested in joining the observer corps? Send us an email today.

Take Action for Solar Energy!

Posted by & filed under Action Alert, Climate Committee.

The LWV-TSC Climate Committee urges you to support solar energy in Shawnee County!  Take Action NOW!

MARCH UPDATE:  On Feb 9, the Planning Commission recommended solar regulations to the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).  The regulations are MUCH IMPROVED since January. The County Commission will consider those regulations at a Special Meeting, 9:00 AM meeting on April 13 in the Commission chambers at 707 SE Quincy Street, Topeka.  See an announcement at the top of the Planninng Commission webpage.  Please attend the County Commission meeting wearing gold (the color in the graphic below) to tell the Commissioners you support the solar regulations and solar development in the county, and/or write to the commissioners and tell them you support the regulations. Here are some talking points.

Graphic with slogan "Let Solar Shine in Shawnee County"
 
Solar could be a lifeline for Shawnee County’s economy and grid.
  • Solar projects mean new jobs and economic vitality for our communities.
  • Solar would strengthen our power grid and lower our bills with homegrown, affordable clean energy.
Solar would support farmers in Shawnee County.
  • Our local farmers deserve solar regulations that maintain their private property rights and avoid government overreach.
  • More solar in our county would help ensure the economic survival of family farms.
Solar is a safe and sustainable neighbor.
  • Solar is water-smart and coexists with nature.
  • Solar is safe, healthy, and highly regulated.

FEBRUARY UPDATE: Thanks to a large showing by solar advocates, the Planning Commission delayed their vote and will discuss this again during their next meeting on Monday, February 9. We still need you to contact members of the commission (email planning@snco.us) and show up to support solar! The meeting will be at 6:00 pm at 1515 NW Saline St, Topeka. Wear gold or the t-shirts that were provided at January’s meeting! 

Original post continued below.

On January 12 at 6:00 pm, the Shawnee County Planning Commission will meet to vote on proposed solar installation regulations.  You can view information about the meeting here. 

Bonus: League members are invited to a pre-meeting-meeting at 4pm on January 12 to prepare for the commission meeting. Meet us at the Coffee Bar (1635 SW Washburn Ave) at 4:00 pm. Free t-shirts provided while supplies last. RSVP here.

Our Position: The Climate Committee believes that the proposed regulations are too small in acreage, contain prohibitive and unnecessary setbacks, and exclude battery storage. As a result, the regulations may effectively ban solar installation. 

What You Can Do: Send a message to the Planning commission by January 12 to support effective solar installations! It’s as simple as sending an email to planning@snco.us. Below are some quick talking points, and you can reference this document from Greenlight to learn more and help write your message.

Solar could be a lifeline for Shawnee County’s economy and grid.

  • Solar projects mean new jobs and economic vitality for our communities.
  • Solar would strengthen our power grid and lower our bills with homegrown, affordable clean energy.

Solar would support farmers in Shawnee County.

  • Our local farmers deserve solar regulations that maintain their private property rights and avoid government overreach.
  • More solar in our county would help ensure the economic survival of family farms.

Solar is a safe and sustainable neighbor.

  • Solar is water-smart and coexists with nature.
  • Solar is safe, healthy, and highly regulated.

Learn more here.

The Voter: January 2026 Newsletter

Posted by & filed under Voter.

Stay up to date on LWV happenings in Topeka and Shawnee County!

Calendar of Events

Tuesday | January 6 | Noon | Marvin 101BC at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Tuesday Topics Speaker: Detective Joe Kinnett from the Financial Crimes Unit of Topeka Police Department

Friday | January 9 | 11am | Anton Room, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Book: Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

Thursday | January 29 | Time TBD | Kansas State Capitol
LWV Kansas Legislative Day at the Capitol

For dates of upcoming Voter Education, Voter Registration, Board Meetings, and more, please view the events calendar on our website.

President’s Perspective

Dr. Glenda Overstreet VaughnGreetings and Happy New Year 2026

Members of our city management team (Dr. Robert Perez and Mr. Avery Moore) joined us as Tuesday Topic speakers in December and shared many interesting updates on their strategic processes. Perez shared points on the upcoming budget and how the city is looking at creative options for flexible staffing while Moore shared a commitment to community oversight of public safety and the update of policies using a system known as Lexipol while also engaging community volunteers to assist in the review of policies. Their presentations were well received and of extreme interest and we thank them tremendously for sharing. Continue Reading.

 

Observer Reports

A circle button with the LWV logo along with "Observer Corps."LWV observers keep you informed about what is happening in local government. The Local Observer Corps volunteers attend city, county and school board meetings and take notes.
 

Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.

Observer Reports will be posted on our website to help get our members this useful and actionable information in a more timely manner.  

It’s Time to Renew Your League Membership

Renewing has never been easier, just follow this link to the Join/Renew section of our website. Everything you need to know is there.

Become a Member Today | LWVTSC

If you’re not sure its time for you to renew, send me an email and I’ll check for you: Click here for email address.
-Allan Foster, Membership Chair

Gift Memberships

Just in time for the holidays, you can now give the gift of LWV membership! Any League member can purchase a gift membership for someone else directly in the LWV Member Portal.

To purchase a gift membership, log in to the portal at portal.lwv.org. The membership card in the top left is accompanied by a “Grow Our Community” box, which includes a button to purchase a gift membership (see below). Click “Gift,” and you’ll be taken to a form where you can enter the member’s information, choose their League, and select the dues amount you’ll pay for them.

You will receive an email with a receipt, and the recipient of the gift will receive a notification email. 

A similar feature will be added at the end of the year allowing Leagues to pay dues on behalf of members — more information about this process will be shared in January.

The gift membership feature is available to everyone and will be announced to all members in the coming weeks, but this message is only going to presidents, treasurers, membership chairs, and roster managers. Feel free to forward this to anyone else at your League who may be interested. Encourage your members to consider growing your League by giving the gift of League membership.

If you have problems or questions, please contact Allan Foster, Membership Chair, by email.

Join the LWVTSC Book Club

The LWVTSC book club meets at 11 am on the second Friday of every month. We’re currently in the Anton Room on the 2nd floor of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Lunch in the Millennium Café following the discussion is optional. Anyone is welcome. Contact Carole Jordan for more information.

Upcoming titles:
January 9 – Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

Unite and Rise 8.5: A LWVUS Initiative to Defend Democracy

Unite & Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration. Launching in May 2025 and running until the 2026 midterm elections, this initiative is part of our Women Defend Democracy campaign. 

Unite and Rise 8.5 will fight for our democracy on multiple fronts, from the courts to the streets. More actions will be outlined in the future, but there are several actions along with more information at https://www.lwv.org/uniteandrise. 

LWV Board Updates

President’s Perspective: January 2025

Posted by & filed under President's Perspective.

Greetings and Happy New Year 2026🎉

Members of our city management team ( Dr. Robert Perez and Mr. Avery Moore) joined us as Tuesday Topic speakers in December and shared many interesting updates on their strategic processes. Perez shared points on the upcoming budget and how the city is looking at creative options for flexible staffing while Moore shared a commitment to community oversight of public safety and the update of policies using a system known as Lexipol while also engaging community volunteers to assist in the review of policies. Their presentations were well received and of extreme interest and we thank them tremendously for sharing.

Kicking off the New Year 2026, we are providing a speaker that will educate us on how to detect and fight scams. How timely! Detective Joe Kinnett from the Financial Crimes Unit of the Topeka Police Department will be joining us to share information we will all find essential in knowing how not to become victims of scams.

Don’t forget we have slots open for members interested in working with a new initiative – Young adult legislative advocacy. If this is a passion for you, we need you. If you have skills or hobbies that include mentoring, teaching, debate, public speaking, research, legislative advocacy, social media and/ or tech marketing, this committee is for you! This role is very important in including our young adults in civic engagement while promoting the work of our organization.

We continue to engage in our active renewal and recruiting campaign effort. If you know anyone who would be a great fit for our organization, please forward them our contact information. In addition, we continue to send invitation letters to non-partisan organizations and individuals encouraging them to join us in defending and strengthening democracy, definitely a task where we continue to need all hands on deck.

We shared our engagement of work completed in 2025 and those accomplishments were highlighted in December’s newsletter. Additionally, I believe our active presence in Topeka and Shawnee County assisted in the increase of voters during the last November election. For instance, the Shawnee County election office reported 22% voting this year over the last voting period at 18%! We believe our efforts, joined with our partners, were essential in this increase. Wouldn’t it be amazing to reach 25% during our next local election? We can do it by staying active ( boots on the ground and minds activated)!

Yes, we have been busy in 2025 and look forward to continuing our work in 2026!

The 2026 LWV National Convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. It starts on Thursday, June 25, 2026 and ends Sunday June 28, 2026. Registration for the Convention will open in January 2026. Check the LWVUS website for details. The convention is open to all members.

Please plan to join us at the Capitol on January 29 for LWVK Legislative Day at the Capitol. League members from across the state will be engaging with our legislators. Consider joining our LWVUS Unite & Rise 8.5 effort which aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise against the anti- democratic actions of this administration. Go to LWV.org to sign up!

Our recent membership is at 221 and growing! It is all because of you. You are our lifeblood. Thank you and for all you do!!

Welcome to our New members: Lesley, Maria, Marcia. We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!

Thank you to our renewing members: We appreciate all you do!

Feel free to continue to connect with our voter services team! Although many of the events are wrapping up for the year, our planning never ends. This is a great time to get on board and express your interest in participating. Join them on the POINT application and get in on the experience! They are outreaching to the community providing education on registration and voting.

Your thoughts and voices are needed on our state survey. Please consider sharing your views on how we can make our league better. Here is the link to complete the form: https://forms.gle/Yv4dBBP58vR82Uji9

Below is a listing of the legislative bills effective January 1, 2026 as extracted from the KSNT 27 News site:

House Bill 2110
● House Bill 2110 amends the Kansas 911 Act. This bill removes the requirement for the state 911 board to contract with a local collection point administrator for services among other changes.
● The bill took effect once it was published in the Kansas Register, according to the KLRD. However, some provisions inside the bill, such as distribution to 911 funds, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2334
● House Bill 2334 amends multiple acts related to insurance in Kansas including the Insurance Holding Company Act, Uniform Agents Licensing Act and Captive Insurance Act. It also established the Protected Cell Captive Insurance Company Act.
● The bill became active on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. Some provisions of the bill related to insurance company premium tax rates and remittance will take effect and be in force starting on Jan. 1, 2026.

Senate Bill 4
● Senate Bill 4 requires the return of advance voting ballots by 7 p.m. on the day of the election.
● The bill took effect on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. The provisions of the bill will take effect and be in force on and after Jan. 1, 2026.

Senate Bill 42
● Senate Bill 42 makes changes to the Insurance Code of Kansas. This includes the establishment of a web-based online insurance verification system for the verification of evidence of motor vehicle liability insurance and removing certain entities from the definition of person for the purpose of enforcing insurance law.
● The KLRD reports this bill took effect on July 1, 2025 but provisions of the bill will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2122
● House Bill 2122 increases the annual license fees of electric and hybrid passenger vehicles, trucks and electric motorcycles and distributes the fees to the state highway fund along with the special city and county highway fund, among other changes.
● This bill became active on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. However, some provisions that pertain to electric and hybrid vehicle registration fees will become active at the start of next year.

Substitute for House Bill 2152
● Substitute for House Bill 2152 established the public moneys pooled method and amends the deposit of public of moneys in financial institutions and the investment of public moneys by financial institutions.
● The KLRD reports this bill took effect earlier this year in July, but contains some provisions that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2201
● House Bill 2201 authorizes the issuance of three new license plates in Kansas.
● This bill became active on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. The issuance and acquisition of the new license plates will start on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2335
● House Bill 2335 authorizes the issuance of the Hunter Nation distinctive license plate.
● The KLRD reports this bill takes effect on July 1, 2025. However, the issuance and acquisition of the new plates will start on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2359
● House Bill 2359 enacts the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. It also enacts the Kansas Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act.
● The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. Some provisions within the bill will take effect and be in force starting on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2045
● House Bill 2045 established the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. It also updates state law regulating childcare centers, housing and staffing.
● The KLRD reports this bill took effect on July 1, 2025. Some provisions within the bill, regarding governor appointments, will become active on Jan. 1, 2026.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 9
● House Substitute for Senate Bill 9 creates the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act. This also prohibits the purchase or acquisition of drones whose critical components originated in a “country of concern” or were created or owned by a foreign principal.
● This bill took effect on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. However, some provisions relating to the attorney general will become active on or before Jan. 1, 2026.

House Bill 2050

● House Bill 2050 amends the Insurance Code of Kansas, grants the commissioner of insurance certain authorities related to board membership and meetings and authorizes the commissioner to set and publish certain fines and fees. It also amends Kansas law related to non-admitted insurers and renames the Kansas Insurance Department to the Kansas Department of Insurance.
● The KLRD reports this bill took effect on July 1, 2025. Some provisions in the bill will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2007
● Substitute for House Bill 2007 reconciles several amendments to certain statutes in Kansas.
● The bill took effect on July 1, 2025, according to the KLRD. However, some parts of it will become active starting on Jan. 1, 2026

 

May you and your families have a wonderful and blessed year! Remember as we work to protect
democracy, Teamwork makes the dream work!

Best regards,

Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, President

Remember: If you have a community group interested in learning about the recent proposed
amendment to the Kansas Constitution, which eliminates the merit selection of Supreme Court
Justices, please reach out to the League and we will connect you with a resource to come make
presentations to your group(s).

Legislative Session Resource

I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed or passed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.

  • Sen. Brenda Dietrich  Room #223-E  785.296.7648Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Rick Kloos  Room # 418-E  785.296.7645Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E  785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
  • Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E  785.296.7656Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
  • Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W  785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N  785.296.7374Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N  785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S  785.296.7673Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W  785.296.7460Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen    785.296.7669 Room #174-W    Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S  785.296.7632Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
  • Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S  785.296.7104virgil.weigel@house.ks.gov

Furthermore, you may access the Kansas Legislative website at http://kslegislature.gov to review bill status and content, house and senate calendars and committee schedules.  Through this website you may listen to or via video streaming follow committee hearings and General Session proceedings. 

An additional resource is the State Library.  You may access their services in the following ways:

  • Phone:800-432-3919 or 785-296-2149
  • Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
  • Email: infodesk@ks.gov
  • Download the Ask a Librarian app to your mobile device.