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 5 meetings since August! Topics covered include affordable housing developments, city sustainability efforts, and a public hearing on mill levies after the state passed a law regarding revenue neutral property tax rates in 2024.
Schools are back in session and that means Voter Services School Teams hit the ground as well. Washburn had three great events that provided us opportunities to interact with young voters. We even made it to WIBW news on National Voter Registration Day (read the new story) when we worked with Loud Light and the Shawnee County Election Office to check voter registration and offer registration to others.
High school presentations also commenced in September for Topeka High, Topeka West and Highland Park. Soon to follow in October we’ll see students at Washburn Rural, Silver Lake, Seaman and Shawnee Heights. It takes a team to make these presentations possible. Thanks to Gretchen Gleue, Connie Jacobson, Mark Galbraith, Jeanne Vawter and Robin Sweeney. We are looking for a volunteer or two to help Jeanne on October 9 (Washburn Rural) and the 13th (Seaman). She needs a person to assist who would feel comfortable running the slide show while she presents. If this sounds like something you could do, let me know and I’ll get more details for you. You can send me an email here.
This is not the time to give up on our democracy but to keep pushing forward educating and encouraging others to become informed and let their voice be heard through their vote. Thanks so much.
Greetings! What a great Tuesday Topics session held in September featuring Bob Beatty, Political Analyst and Professor at Washburn. He presented facts of our Kansas political landscape and shared highlights of candidates’ campaign kickoffs. One hour simply didn’t seem enough! There were 73 people joining us, including visitors, members and zoom attendees. As always a great time was had by all. Thanks Bob for your analysis and impartial insight and thanks again to our Tuesday Topics team and those who help provide feedback and ideas.
For the month of October, we have a unique opportunity to hear an update on the establishment of a community grocery store through the efforts of the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis by its Executive Director, Nadio Arbelo. Be sure to join us on October 7 at Noon at the Topeka Library.
Good news! We recently reviewed and reaffirmed our DEI policy. The League, its members and those who commit to the values and mission of the League stand committed to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion as we stand for the rights of all. We are also reviewing other policies as they align with our state and national entities.
As a member, your voice and presence are important to us. We have a couple of initiatives we would love to get more volunteers to work on projects. If you have an interest or have the time to commit to 1-2 hours monthly on one of the following projects, please call the League and leave your name, number, and interest:
1) Health Equity
2) Young Adult Legislative Advocacy
Our recent membership count is 216! We are growing!! You are our lifeblood. Thank you!
Welcome to our New member: Sheri! We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!
Please feel free to connect with our voter services team! They are at Washburn, in the high schools, at the Farmer’s market venues, and all over the city! Join them on POINT! They are outreaching to the community providing education on registration and voting.
Update: The Topeka League will be the host of the LWVK Convention in 2027. Great Bend will be the host of the Council meeting in 2026. This is a change from an earlier communication provided in June.
As we receive updates from our collaborators, we will share them in this format. Below are a few of the updates received.
It is our pleasure to share updates from our community partner network.
Please feel free to participate as time permits.
The Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, Inc. (TCPJ), is excited to announce their 40th Anniversary Celebration,”Pathways to Peace.” The event is October 30th, 2025, at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden and Venue,from 5:30 – 9:00 pm. Please contact the TCPJ for a ticket and more details.
The ACLU is celebrating its 60 years Toward Freedom anniversary on October 23 at 5:30 pm in Olathe at the Olathe Conference Center. The Topeka league may have a couple of seats available at a reserved table until October 5. If interested , please contact Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn at the League of Women Voters of Topeka and Shawnee County.
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).
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn
President
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
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:
Following directive from the Board of County Commissioners (the Governing Body) the Shawnee County Planning Commission began work at its February 10, 2025 meeting to write a set of regulations relating to the development of commercial/utility scale solar energy in Shawnee County. The Planning Commission approved a set of draft regulations during its July 2025 meeting.
The following are highlights of those draft regulations:
Personal Solar Energy Conversion Systems (SECS) were, and remain, allowed in any zone upon approval of a building permit.
All other types of SECS projects are allowed upon approval of a conditional use permit within Zones RA-1, 1-1 and 1-2, except in specified areas as set out in the regulations.
No single SECS Project can exceed 240 acres. As a point of comparison, Douglas County has approved regulations allowing for solar projects of up to 1,000 acres and Johnson County has approved regulations allowing for projects of up to 2,000 acres.
The regulations also provide that no SECS project area boundary shall be nearer than two miles to any other SECS project. That distance shall be measured in a straight line from the closest project area boundary of one SECS to the boundary area of any other SECS.
The regulations state that battery storage systems built as an appurtenance facility to an SECS project are prohibited.
The regulations also state that the Governing Body may vary or waive the minimum requirements set forth in the regulations upon written request of the Applicant and a determination of the Governing Body that said waiver or modification is consistent with the purpose and intent of these regulations.
The regulations also provide for certain setbacks.
The past few weeks have been exciting and yet concerning. There have been regular rallies across the nation as well as locally in support of Democracy. We are seeing significant unfair efforts underway to gain election control via redistricting; a national push to destroy voting rights, and an outright assault on healthcare benefits of the poor, young and elderly.
Suffice it to say that although local and state governments are eliminating DEI initiatives for the sake of federal dollars, I am super appreciative and supportive of the fact that the League of Women Voters is resilient in maintaining and strengthening its DEI policies and practices! If you didn’t get the opportunity to join us for August Tuesday Topics, I am sorry to say, you missed one of the most impactful organizations serving this community. Jonathan Sublet, Founder and Executive Director, provided a holistic approach to serving residents including the homeless, children, youth, young parents, elders and the professional sector in an effort to better our community by providing housing, daycare mentoring, careers, and networking opportunities. SENT is expected to break ground this month in building 176 apartments and 48 homes in East Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood.
Our September Tuesday Topics Speaker will be the long awaited Bob Beatty, Washburn University Political Science Chair.
Our Voter Services team will continue to be at the Farmers Market at the Topeka Library on various dates. Please check them out if you are interested in registering or getting someone else to register to vote, setting up a voting plan, want to volunteer or just want to hang out to see what we do. We would love to have you!
Our Candidate Meet and Greet Forum is scheduled for September 29. We have a host of co-sponsors joining us and we hope you will join us, too. The forum will offer you an intimate opportunity to speak one on one with the candidates to ask questions and get more information to aid you in becoming an informed voter. Vote 411 is an important tool that the League uses to provide candidate and election information.
Our leagues are actively demonstrating how important strengthening our democracy is. We need you, your friends, and your family to be actively involved and committed to our mission. Help the LWV help your families to keep democracy alive. Join us!!
Remember the legislative laws passed during the last session are effective July 1. Please access them at www.kslegislature.org.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn
President
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
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:
Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.
Thank you to observers Elvera Johnson and Vicki Arnett for attending 5 meetings since July! Topics covered include city budgets, the truck stop proposal on Fairlawn, the Topeka Voter Collaborative and TopCity25, SNCO retirement funds, city sustainability practices, and plans for the Department of Corrections’ Mental Health Crisis Center.
The League of Women Voters of Topeka & Shawnee County Board of Directors supports the following statement from the LWV CEO, Celina Stewart, Esq., issued in response to President Trump’s vow to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines.
WASHINGTON — The League of Women Voters CEO, Celina Stewart, Esq., issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s vow to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines:
“Free, fair, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. President Trump’s call to eliminate vote-by-mail is a direct attack on Americans’ freedom to vote.
“Vote-by-mail is secure, accurate, and trusted by millions of voters — including older adults, military members, rural communities, tribal communities, voters of color, and voters with disabilities. Vote-by-mail has proven to expand voter participation in recent elections.
“President Trump has no constitutional authority to take this action. Under our US Constitution, the states have the power to run elections, and only Congress can step in to regulate those elections when needed. This move is yet another overreach by an unpopular president who seeks to silence the public to hold onto power.
“President Trump’s attacks on voting machines are similarly misleading and dangerous. Voting systems in the US already meet strict standards for security, accuracy, transparency, and accessibility, with paper ballots or audit trails to verify results. Scrapping machines in favor of hand counting would undermine election integrity and efficiency, not strengthen it. The League of Women Voters stands firmly for secure, modern systems that protect every vote and uphold public trust in our democracy.
“The President should get his facts straight: he does not have the authority to regulate elections, states have strong measures to ensure voting equipment is secure, and many countries successfully utilize vote-by-mail.
“The League of Women Voters will not stand by while politicians spread lies to limit democratic participation. We will be looking at the forthcoming Executive Order very closely and will use every tool in our toolbox to push back on these threats to our free, fair, and accessible elections.
“We will fight to protect vote-by-mail and every method that makes casting a ballot accessible. Our democracy is strong when every eligible voter can make their voice heard, whether at a polling place or through a mail-in ballot.”
We’re closing in on our final push for voter registration events before the general election on November 4. The dedicated members of the Voter Services committee have been volunteering all summer, and I am calling on them one more time. There are a few events sneaking up on us where we have an opportunity to set up our table with voting information.
Washburn Market Daze, August 20, 10:00- 1:30
Washburn Welcome Event (WU Fest), August 26, 5:30 to 7:00
Topeka Food Truck Festival, August 24, 11:00 to 4:00
Family Fitness Night, Topeka 501, September 17, 5:30-7:30
September First Friday and Farmers Market spots available as well
Can you help?
Whether you’re a seasoned Voter Services volunteer, or looking to get more involved in the League of Women Voters, we could use you! This link on our League website will get you to POINT, our volunteer app, to see details and sign up: https://www.lwvtsc.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Thank you, Voter Services!
LWV board members Paul Post and Cindy Lash with Elias Garcia from Latino Vote. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped staff our table at the Topeka Fiesta in July!
Stay up-to-date on LWV happenings in Topeka and Shawnee County!
Calendar of Events
Tuesday | Aug 5 | 7 am – 7 pm | at your polling place Topeka Primary Election: The two races in Shawnee County with primary elections are Mayor and City Council District #1.
Tuesday | Aug 5 | Noon | Marvin 101BC at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Tuesday Topics Speaker: Johnathan Sublet, Founder and Executive Director of SENT, Inc.
Johnathan Sublet will highlight SENT’s holistic model for grassroots community development – a model that is deeply person-centered, rigorously data-driven, and powered by dynamic programming with a short feedback loop. This approach allows SENT to respond to community needs in real time, ensuring that strategies remain both adaptive and impactful. Attend in person or attend by Zoom.
Friday | Aug 8 | 11 am – Noon | Anton Room at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
LWV Book Club discusses “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” – all members welcome to join, please contact Carole Jordan.
Tuesday | Sept 2 | Noon | Marvin 101BC at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Tuesday Topics Speaker: Dr. Bob Beatty, Washburn University Political Science Chair
Tuesday | Sept 16 | 11:30 am – 1 pm | Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Climate Committee Meeting – all members welcome to join, please contact Vicki Arnett.
Monday | Sept 29 | 5:30-7:30 pm | Marvin 101 at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Local Topeka Election Candidate Meet and Greet – Chat with candidates on your ballot! Meet the candidates for Topeka Mayor and City Council districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Volunteers will be available to help find your district and answer questions about the Nov 4 general election.
Tuesday | Oct 7 | Noon | Marvin 101BC at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Tuesday Topics Speaker: Marge Ahrens shares information on Central Topeka Grocery Oasis.
For dates of upcoming Voter Education, Voter Registration, Board Meetings, and more, please view the events calendar on our website.
Explore the *New* LWV Membership Portal
To log into the LWV Membership Portal, go to portal.lwv.org.
Tip #1 – You don’t have to remember a password!
Enter the email address you used when you joined or last renewed then, click “Continue with email.” You will receive an email at the address you entered. The email includes a button you click to log into the Membership Portal.
Tip #2 – First time users get to complete a survey!
The first time you log in, you will be prompted to review and update your profile information and complete a member survey. This will include questions from LWVUS and questions from LWVTSC.
Tip #3 – Our local league information is there — click LWV of Topeka-Shawnee County!
Explore your membership details, OR click in the top right of the screen on the name of our League to access areas relating specifically to LWVTSC.
Download these step by step illustrated instructions written by Mary Galligan. Print copies will also be available at Tuesday Topics. You’re already a member – it’s time to explore the portal!
Tuesday Topics is August 5th
President’s Perspective
The past few weeks have been exciting and yet concerning. There have been regular rallies across the nation as well as locally in support of Democracy. Although local and state governments are eliminating DEI initiatives for the sake of federal dollars, I am super appreciative and supportive of the fact that the League of Women Voters is resilient in maintaining and strengthening its DEI policies and practices…
Local Observer Corps
Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.
Thank you to observers Elvera Johnson, Vicki Arnett, and Patti Bishop for attending 8 meetings since June! Topics covered include the downtown Business Improvement District, a proposed truck stop at 6th and Fairlawn, and renewed county contracts with various social service and nonprofit organizations.
Feedback from July’s “Field Trip” to KBI Forensic Science Laboratory
I was very surprised by the number of things they cannot do at KBI. Two examples of things that I didn’t realize they are unable to do are paint tracing and many drug tests. They are only able to test for meth and pot.
This was a great field trip! I would love to be able to do something similar with KDHE labs. Thank you for setting this up.
–Julie W.
And a big THANK YOU to Glennie Buckley and Gretchen Gleue for arranging our summer “Field Trips” while we were not meeting at the library for Tuesday Topics.
Please share your ideas for potential Tuesday Topics speakers and your ideas for more “field trips” for next summer!
Spotted: Voter Services
Pictured: Leslie Prentice, Amy Bermudez with Elias Garcia In July, Topeka Fiesta ‘25 provided a colorful and lively setting for our league to connect with over 200 potential voters and their families at this annual community festival. In spite of the heat, our volunteers enjoyed engaging the friendly fiesta attendees and certainly enjoyed working with our partner Elias Garcia with Latino Votes.
LWVTSC members, are you ready to help out? Volunteer to work at a Voter Services event, now! The League uses Point to let members select when and where they will work at Voter Services events.
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:
August 8 – Everyone Who is Gone is Here, Jonathon Blitzer
September 12 – An Unfinished Love Story, Doris Kearns Goodwin
October 10 – The Girl with the Louding Voice, Abi Dare
November 14 – James, Percival Everett
December 12 – Talk about books for 2026 and in general
LWV Board Updates
The LWV Board did not meet in July.
Our next LWVTSC Board Meeting meeting is Tuesday, August 12 at noon.
The past few weeks have been exciting and yet concerning. There have been regular rallies across the nation as well as locally in support of Democracy. Although local and state governments are eliminating DEI initiatives for the sake of federal dollars, I am super appreciative and supportive of the fact that the League of Women Voters is resilient in maintaining and strengthening its DEI policies and practices!
Our July Tuesday Topics included an exceptional tour of the KBI Forensics Lab located on the Washburn Campus. We were truly educated on the comprehensive process taken by scientists to define and identify samples. Thanks to all the wonderful supporters who joined us.
August 5 is our next Tuesday Topics site visit. Our guest speaker will be Jonathan Sublet of SENT, Inc, the organization that spearheaded a proposed housing program in East Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood. The project is expected to include 176 apartments and 48 homes and is scheduled to break ground this month. Plan to join us at the Library for this wonderfully exciting program and to hear more on this project from Jonathan.
Our Voter Services team will continue to be at the Farmers Market at the Topeka Library on various dates. Please check them out if you are interested in registering or getting someone else to register to vote, setting up a voting plan, want to volunteer or just want to hang out to see what we do. We would love to have you!
We are preparing for our Candidate Forum on September 29. We have a host of co-sponsors joining us and we hope you will join us, too. The forum will offer you an intimate opportunity to speak one on one with the candidates to ask questions and get more information to aid you in becoming an informed voter. Vote 411 is an important tool that the League uses to provide candidate and election information.
The Shawnee County Election office has published the following regarding elections: Early voting is open now 8 am to 7 pm and on Monday, August 4, early voting hours are 8-noon. The August 5th Primary Election is only for voters residing within Topeka’s city limits. There are only 2 contests in this election: Mayor and City Council District 1.
On Election Day, voters can only vote at their assigned neighborhood poll place. Find your Poll Place by accessing Voter View. Advance voting ballots have been mailed and can be returned in person to the drop box, in person on Election Day or via mail.
Our leagues are actively demonstrating how important strengthening our democracy is. We need you, your friends, and your family to be actively involved and committed to our mission. Help the LWV help your families to keep democracy alive. Join us!! Remember the legislative laws passed during the last session are effective July 1. Please access them at www.kslegislature.org.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn
President
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
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:
Empower voters. Defend democracy. That’s what we do. YOU can help by joining us and volunteering or donating to support our work. We’re grateful to you and your contributions that help us reach voters.
Election Information
Visit ksvotes.org to register to vote, change your information or check your registration
Check Vote411 — Use our online voters’ guide to see the races and issues on your ballot. Compare candidates side-by-side and read their views on the important issues in their own words
The VOTER
We publish monthly newsletters summarizing our local activities.
Local Observer Corps
