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:
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.
The idea that democracy is not a spectator sport is being demonstrated everyday through the actions of our very active membership, including voter services volunteers. We’ve connected with at least 300 people at such venues as the TSCPL Farmer’s Market, First Friday at NOTO, Heartland Military Days, the Juneteenths Family and Friends Celebration and the Naturalization Ceremony at Brown v Board.
We also had 15 members participate in our voter services training on June 17th.If you missed the training, let me know.We do have printed materials that are helpful and I’ll visit with you about other ways you could train.
If you are trained ready to volunteer, here’s the quickest and easiest way to get started:
Follow the link on our website to POINT.Click JOIN (orange button) and set up your account.POINT will send your request to Voter Services and we’ll approve your entry to the site.We try to do it as quickly as possible but it might not be the same day you apply. Remember, we’re volunteers, too
When it’s hot out, tabling volunteers cool off by spreading the joy of voting!
Our next big registration event will be during the Topeka Fiesta from July 15-19, 5-8 each evening.We will work with Latina Votes to encourage registration and provide information on the upcoming local elections.This is a very lively cultural experience plus they have great food. Sign-up on POINT at the link above to join the fun!
I would like to send KUDOS to these members who became participants in our efforts to protect democracy by either helping educate voters or taking the training to educate voters.
Events Volunteers: Gretchen Gleue, Leslie Prentice, Cindy Lash, Carole Jordan, Marty Snyder, Catherine Walter, Georgia Sandlin, Robin Sweeney, Danielle Tremlow and Paul Post.
Training: Lydia Beasterfeld, Nancy Perry, Julie Wilson, Kami Cusick, Catherine Walter, Mary Torrence, Robin Sweeney, Marty Snyder, Gretchen Gleue, Barbara Hicker, Paul Post, Jane Hanni, Irene Francis, Kimberley Brown, Deborah Stern, Vicki Arnett, Glenda Overstreet-Vaughn.
Special shout-out to Mary Gallagan who gave up dinner and grasshopper mint dessert to serve as the Zoom manager and FAQ resource throughout the training. We are so lucky to have her special talents almost always behind the scenes.Thanks, Mary.
One last thing: We have purchased more “Your Vote Matters”yard signs.They will be available to pick-up at the next Farmer’s Market at the Library on July 7th or on July 8th after the group tour at Washburn KBI Education Center.If you live in a location that gets good visibility or know of a good place to display, please stop by and let’s get these up before the local election.
Let’s all remember on this July 4ththat we can’t take our freedom for granted. Stay strong and remember that our League work here in Topeka can and will make a difference.
Stay up-to-date on LWV happenings in Topeka and Shawnee County!
Calendar of Events
July 8 | Noon | KBI Forensic Science Center **NOTE: The July 8 date is one week later than usual**
2001 SW Washburn Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604
Summer “Field Trip” for Tuesday Topics –Signup required by June 30th as limited spaces are available. Tour includes some stairs, and walking/standing throughout. Sign up to attend here.
August 5 | Noon | Marvin Auditorium 101BC, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Tuesday Topics Speaker: Johnathan Sublet, Founder and Executive Director of SENT Topeka, a non-profit organization that works with the Hi-Crest Neighborhood to address poverty, crime, and mental health issues.
September 2 | Noon | Marvin Auditorium 101BC, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Tuesday Topics Speaker: Professor Bob Beatty
Save the Date
September 29 | Marvin Auditorium, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Our League is organizing the local candidate meet and greet ahead of the general election for the Topeka Mayor and City Council positions. Local nonpartisan partners are being contacted now to cosponsor and support this event. Watch for more details soon!
President’s Perspective
Greetings! Understanding our history helps us to make better informed decisions and to avoid the mistakes made. Exclusion in any form is wrong. That is one reason why our Brown vs. Board site visit was so powerful!! Rain could not keep us away from a truly eye opening and timely educational experience…
Local Observer Reports
Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.
Thank you to observers Paul Post, Vicki Arnett, and Elvera Johnson for attending 14 meetings in May and June! Topics covered include affordable housing, Gun Violence Awareness Month, and a proposed ordinance to update anti-discrimination policies as required by the Trump administration.
A couple of weeks ago, President Glenda delivered a certificate of appreciation to my front door. What a nice surprise!
This made me think, though. Every hour or dollar I have ever given to the League has been more than repaid in knowledge, learning, and old and new friendships with like-minded women and men. Priceless.
So I’m writing to say Thank You, League of Women Voters.
Carole Jordan
Climate Committee Update
The LWVTSC Climate Committee will meet on the 3rd Tuesday at noon in alternate months. Our next meeting will be July 15th. Contact Vicki Arnett for more information.
Join the League of Women Voters 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:
July 11 -By the Fire We Carry, Rebecca Nagle
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
League of Women Voters Board Highlights
A candidate forum for this year’s local races will be held in late September at the Topeka library.
Voter Services is developing a list of duties for school presentations. Lots of extra hands are needed to assist the primary presenters.
The Board is considering a health equity study. The current position, Health Care in Shawnee County, was adopted in 2009.
Kim Brown was appointed to the Board.
The LWVTSC Board will not meet July 8, 2025 and will next meet on Tuesday, August 12, at noon.
Each month, LWV volunteers attend city, council, and school board meetings. Their observer reports help keep us informed.
Thank you to observers Paul Post, Vicki Arnett, and Elvera Johnson for attending 14 meetings in May and June! Topics covered include affordable housing, Gun Violence Awareness Month, and a proposed ordinance to update anti-discrimination policies as required by the Trump administration.
Greetings! Understanding our history helps us to make better informed decisions and to avoid the mistakes made.
Exclusion in any form is wrong. That is one reason why our Brown vs. Board site visit was so powerful!! Rain could not keep us away from a truly eye opening and timely educational experience as we took a film tour through history starting with the Colonial Law of the South Carolina Act of 1740, the Antebellum, Nat Turner Rebellion, History of the HBCUs, the Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow, the NAACP and legal scholars such as Huston, Marshall and Robinson on through the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. What a whirlwind of knowledge on a perfect rainy day. Thanks to all the wonderful supporters who joined us.
July 8 is our next Tuesday Topics site visit. It will be at the new KBI Forensic Science Center at 2001 SW Washburn. Attendees are limited to 30. Get your registrations in. Glennie, Gretchen and Lissa have planned a fabulous schedule of events for the year for you. You don’t want to miss them because they are designed especially for you as members!
Our Voter Services team will be at the Farmers Market at the Topeka Library on July 7. 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 connection with the Juneteenth event was co-hosted with The Links Incorporated – Topeka (KS). What a great way to have fun with a purpose! Celebrating freedom of the past while supporting those valuing their freedom today through voter education!!
These days are evidence of the true IMPORTANCE of your vote! Don’t ignore or disregard it. Be an informed voter! Be an involved voter! Be an active voter! Your family, your community and your nation is depending on you. Help the LWV help your families to keep democracy alive. Join us!!
New legislative laws will be out, effective July 1. Please access at www.kslegislature.org.
Welcome to our New members:Kathleen andLesley!
We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!
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:
The following is a message from the Voter Services Chair, Vicki Buening, regarding Summer 2025 member opportunities.
“Democracy is not a Spectator Sport!”
This statement is what embodies the work of the League of Women Voters. It’s also a team sport. Good afternoon from Vicki Buening, your voter services chair. Voter Services has been busy this spring getting ready to go out into the community during this upcoming election season with the goal to bring more voter onto “Team Democracy.”
How do we do that? We have a plan and it starts with a volunteer training:
Join the Voter Services Committee online, June 17, 10:00 am or 5:30 pm
Watch for our email blast in June with details and RSVP to get the Zoom link.
I know, that many of you are experienced and ready to volunteer. We’ve streamlined volunteering using an online app called POINT. You will choose when and where you want to volunteer plus get details about the event all in one location.
You will need to set-up an account to sign in and choose LWVTSC as your organization. You can also download the POINT app to your phone for easy access.
If you’re not comfortable getting started, no worries we’ll provide brief training on June 17, so another reason to sign up!
Here’s the June events scheduled: June 6: First Friday NOTO at Arts Connect; June 9: The TSCPL Farmer’s Market; June 14: Heartland Military Days, Kansas National Guard Museum.
We have more events in progress such as Juneteenth, Topeka Fiesta and an assortment of others. When confirmed they will be posted to our website through POINT.
As a member of this group, you will receive more frequent emails as we add activities in search of volunteers, so if for any reason you do not wish to receive these notices, please contact me at the email address below. We appreciate all of our members and we know there are a variety of ways to participate in supporting all that we do to encourage the public to join the “Team Democracy.”
I want to recognize these members who agreed to help me on our voter services committee: Mary Lou Davis, Mary Gallagan, Gretchen Gleue, Jane Hanni, Connie Jacobson, and Robin Sweeney. I’m sure any of them would be willing to answer you’re questions as well.
Vicki Buening, contact by email, League of Women Voters Topeka Shawnee County
Articles for the Voter are due the Friday after the monthly Board of Director’s meeting held on the second Tuesday of the month.
Calendar of Events
Tuesday Topics
May 6 | Noon | Marvin 101BC at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Hear updates from Kansas Reflector staff in an interactive presentation. Attend in person or on Zoom.
SAVE THE DATES for Summer “Field Trips” for Tuesday Topics
June 3 | Noon | Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
1515 SE Monroe Street, Topeka, KS 66612-1143
July 8 | Noon | KBI Forensic Science Center
2001 SW Washburn Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604 Signup required as limited spaces are available. Tour includes some stairs, and standing throughout. Watch for updates!
President’s Perspective
Greetings! I am very excited to serve as your President for the next two years and I thank you for the opportunity to do so. With that being said, I apologize in advance for the length of this initial letter. However, I want to share with you the wide array of advocacy, activism, and social aspects of the organization that you are a part of. Trust me, such a lengthy letter will be an anomaly.
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. Read the Observer reports for the May 2025 Voter.
On Thursday, April 24, our League of Women Voters of Topeka-Shawnee County Voter Services team welcomed new citizens after their naturalization ceremony at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park and offered voter registration and education.
Book Club Updates
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.
For Friday, May 9, read and discuss Bone of the Bone by Sarah Smarsh.
LWV Board Highlights
Our Voter Registration/Education booth at the Library’s Farmer’s Market will start on May 12th. We’ll be there once a month this year.
We have 206 members!!
Voter Services is re-organizing to better coordinate volunteers and activities. They’ll use POINT for signup.
Danielle Twemlow and Mary Lou Davis are joining the Board as President’s appointees.
State League Action Alerts & Newsletter
Stay informed of State League of Women Voters articles & news.
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
Local Observer Reports
Climate Committee Update
Join the League of Women Voters Book Club
Greetings! I am very excited to serve as your President for the next two years and I thank you for the opportunity to do so. With that being said, I apologize in advance for the length of this initial letter. However, I want to share with you the wide array of advocacy, activism, and social aspects of the organization that you are a part of. Trust me, such a lengthy letter will be an anomaly.
On Thursday, April 24, our League of Women Voters of Topeka-Shawnee County Voter Services team welcomed new citizens after their naturalization ceremony at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park and offered voter registration and education.
