Greetings!
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.
Click here for the list of Candidates.
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
- 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.
