Stay up to date on LWV happenings in Topeka and Shawnee County!
Friday | October 23 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm | Kansas Statehouse South Steps
Voter Services at YWCA Week Without Violence Rally
Tuesday | November 3 from 7:00am to 7:00pm | Your Shawnee County Polling Location
The 2026 General Election!
Tuesday | November 3 12:00pm to 1:00pm | Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Marvin Auditorium
Tuesday Topics Kyle Wiley Picket, Conductor of Topeka Symphony: Blind Auditions
Tuesday | November 10 12:00pm to 1:00pm | Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Anton Room
LWVTSC Board Meeting
Friday | November 13 11:00am to 12:00 pm | Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Anton Room
Book Club: There, There by Tommy Orange
Saturdays | November 7, 14, & 21 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm | Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Civic Engagement and Advocacy Academy for high school and college students ages 16-25 . Learn more and register.
For dates of upcoming Voter Education, Voter Registration, Board Meetings, and more, please view the events calendar on our website.
President’s Perspective
This month’s message is an important moment of gratitude for all the members and volunteers who helped us make an impact during the busy summer months. A continued shout out to all our members who plan to engage their civic duty by working the polls on November 3. We appreciate you and all that you do.
2026 General Election Reminders
Advance Voting by Mail has begun. Applications for a mail ballot are due on October 27. Due to pending legal action and ongoing mail delays, all voters are encouraged to make sure their mail ballot is returned by Election Day, November 3. A ballot drop box is located at the Shawnee County Election Office for convenient and immediate return.
Early Voting in Person runs from October 19 to October 30, 8am to 7pm, and on November 2 from 8am to 12pm. Early voting takes place at the Shawnee County Election Office.
November 3 is Election Day! Vote at your polling place from 7am to 7pm.
To look up your polling place and view your sample ballot, visit https://kansasvoterinfo.gov/VoterView.
Consider These Opportunities
Voter Services Team
The Voter Services Team needs a co-chair to help make more connections with community tabling events and coordinate with our volunteer system, POINT. This is a great opportunity for newer members to get involved in community fun while helping to inform voters. We already have established members that work with naturalization services, school outreach and are experienced with tabling events. We are seeking people willing to help coordinate volunteers and help us reach more community people with voting information and encouragement.
Treasurer Support
Our LWV Treasurer will mentor someone or several people interested in shadowing the role and willing to learn about managing, overseeing and safeguarding the organization’s financial operations as part of a succession planning strategy.
If you are considering one of these opportunities, please reply to this email or reach out to ask any questions and learn more!
Local Observer Reports
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.
Observer Reports will be posted on our website to help get our members this useful and actionable information in a more timely manner.
LWVTSC Urges Voters to Vote No on Constitutional Amendment
Position on the Voter Eligibility Constitutional Amendment 2026
This is the position of the League of Women Voters of Topeka-Shawnee County based on the position of the League of Women Voters of Kansas. The League Opposes the proposed Kansas Constitutional Amendment on Voter Eligibility Requirements (2025 HCR 5004). We urge voters to Vote NO on the Constitutional Amendment on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot.
Read the full message and view amendment language.
Tuesday Topics is November 3: Topeka Symphony Orchestra Conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett on Blind Auditions
Join us at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library for our monthly civic education presentation.
Kyle Wiley Pickett, the Music Director and Conductor of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra will speak on the introduction of blind auditions in symphony history and practice, including the unintended consequences of implementation. The blind audition performance takes place behind a curtain so the judges cannot see the performer. Click here for event details from the library.
Note: November 3 is also general election day in Kansas! Visit vote411.org/kansas to make your voting plan and research the candidates on your ballot. Contact the Shawnee County Election Office directly or visit their website for any questions about elections in Shawnee County, Kansas including your voter registration status, your polling place, or viewing your sample ballot.
October Recap: We had a total of 56 members attend September’s Tuesday Topics presentation, along with 13 visitors and 8 viewers on Zoom!
It was a packed house, and very much the kind of commentary Dr. Beatty has given previously. He gave a nonpartisan critique and insight into multiple candidates’ campaigns ads and strategies, with a focus on the Kansas Governor and US Senate races. He drew comparisons between current candidates and those who held the same offices previously. Hopefully others can tell you the parts that stick with them. I noticed that he was able to maintain a nonpartisan presentation style while still providing critique and insight into multiple candidate’s campaign ads and strategies.
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:
- Nov. 9 There There, Tommy Orange
- Dec. 11 Talk about books and the coming year
Full list on our website.
LWV Board Updates
- The Board took a position against the constitutional amendment on General Election ballots.
- A committee is launching the Civic Engagement and Advocacy Academy for high school and college students. The academy begins in November.
- High school presentations are underway! Volunteers are speaking at several high schools this month and next month.
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.
State League Action Alerts & Newsletter
Stay informed of State League of Women Voters activity.
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