Date: 7/7/2026
Subject: July 2026 eVoter
From: eVoter Team

What's Up With the League

LWV 2026 National Convention Recap

By Melanie Busse, President

Click here to read my daily recap of the LWV 2026 National Convention held in Columbus, Ohio, June 25 through 28. I want to express my thanks to the Board for providing the funds for six of us to attend as delegates, two in person and four virtually. I was impressed with LWVUS President Dianna Wynn during her visit last summer to Kansas City, but even more impressed watching her conduct the plenary sessions. She was efficient, fair, and able to explain the process, remaining calm at all times, even with all the parliamentary rules that were used! I also enjoyed conversations with Celina Stewart, LWV CEO, who handles her huge responsibility with a sense of humor.

Membership Stars!

By Laura Marcus-Mountjoy, Membership Chair

The League is only effective in achieving its mission of empowering voters and defending democracy if we have dedicated members willing to volunteer their time. Please sign up for the many voter registration events listed under our Volunteer tab on our lwvkc.org website.

We can make a difference by volunteering for Voter Registration and Get Out the Vote/GOTV events. Now is the time to move from a place of concern to action!

We can’t just be spectators. We need to take the field.

Some of our members have been volunteering for a long time -- 50 years! You can read an interview with our newest 50-year member, Pauline Testerman, below. Pauline joined the League in 1976. She joins Delores Blaser, Donna Hoch, and Margie Richcreek as a Lifetime Member of the League of Women Voters.

Congratulations, Pauline!

LWVKC Membership Meeting

July Monthly Meeting and Lawn Sign Party!

By Joyce Villnave, Monthly Meetings Coordinator

July 11, 2026, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Kansas City Library - North-East Branch (Rooms A and B), 6000 Wilson Ave, Kansas City, MO 64123

Run-Of-Show

9:30 a.m. Social Time (Room A)
10:00 a.m. Greetings and Update from Melanie Busse - President
10:30 a.m. August Ballot Measure Presentations (Greg Woodhams - Voter Education)
11:00 a.m. Committee Chairs Call to Action: Making Lawn Signs

11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Join us in Room B after the meeting to make lawn signs. Supplies provided.

Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83203229790

Host: Joyce Villnave (meetings@lwvkc.org, 315-350-6358)

Topic: August Ballot Measure Presentations

Speaker: Greg Woodhams, Chair of the Voter Education Committee

Beyond Joining

By Jim Calvert, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Committee Chair

I’m Jim Calvert, former editor of the eVoter. Many of you know me and my passion for the League, based in no small part because of my parents’ involvement (my father was one of the first men to join in 1974), and because my sister Anne is the past president of our League. I also served during the Persian Gulf War, giving me a deep love for our democratic government, having spent time in countries where there are no "inalienable rights.”

My sense is many of you joined the League because you also feel strongly about protecting our democracy at all levels. And we are the organization best suited for that advocacy. Our non-partisan beliefs keep us focused on issues rather than politicians. We educate rather than aggravate. We support voters rather than candidates.

But our organization needs more than just your moral support. We even need more than just your monetary contributions. We need your TIME. I stepped in to chair the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) committee, which will have events coming in July and October. But there are other committees that will have events coming just around the corner too. And we all need volunteers to step up and help us reach out and educate our electorate, support their efforts at participation, and monitor our elected officials to keep them working for ALL their constituents.

You’ve taken the first step by joining. The next step is to sign up for our DEI/Non-partisan training that is required before working with the public as a League representative. The training can be found by logging into the website and following this link. If the classes are full, or there is not a time that is convenient for you, please sign up on the wait list. This lets us know to schedule more sessions.

Once you have completed the training, we encourage you to visit our volunteer page here. Once again, you will need to be signed into the website, but you will find many opportunities to step up and help the League with its mission to defend our democracy.

Sunday Service is another excellent way to contribute to the League’s success. These occur on designated Sunday evenings where members who have signed up here meet at 729 E. 70th St. (Anne Calvert’s house) to complete very specific tasks that often require little expertise, but will help out one or more of our committees. This past Sunday Service saw members creating yard signs.

We have discovered that yard signs are an excellent way to start conversations with your neighbors. Face-to-face conversations are one of the most effective ways to motivate people to take action. The League has taken a position against both Amendment 4 (making it harder for citizens to change laws) and Amendment 5 (shifting from income and property taxes to increasing sales taxes). There are many good yard signs available, but home-made signs often have more impact. We’ve found that white foam board and acrylic paint markers work best.

Whatever path you choose with the League, now is the time for you to step up to protect our democracy. We get the government we are willing to work for.

Seven Forums for August 4 Election

By Elizabeth Darr, Forums Committee Co-Vice Chair

Many KC voters will find themselves in a new Congressional District in the August 4 primary. The Forums Committee is hosting three forums for Districts 4, 5, and 6 and four forums for the Jackson County Legislature. See below for date and topic. All forums are at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

We need YOUR SUPPORT. Please sign up to attend at least one forum and submit questions for candidates. Click on the links for more information, to submit forum questions, and to register.

Forum Schedule

By Greg Woodhams, Voter Education Chair

Be an informed voter! On August 4, Missouri Voters will decide on four ballot questions which could:

• Restrict ballot initiatives
• Replace income taxes with expanded sales taxes
• Renew a tax funding state parks and conservation
• Make the Jackson County Tax Assessor an elected position

Help us build an audience for our presentations by:

• Registering on the lwvkc.org website (go to the calendar and click on the event)
• Bringing a friend

Dates

Times

Locations

Monday, July 13

6 p.m.

Mid-Continent Public Library: Lee’s Summit East
2240 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Tuesday, July 14

5:30 p.m.

Ivanhoe Community Center
3700 Woodland Ave, Kansas City, MO 64109

Monday, July 20

6 p.m.

Kansas City Public Library: Plaza Branch
4801 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64112

Monday, July 27

6 p.m.

Mid-Continent Public Library: Woodneath Library Center
8900 NE Flintlock Road, Kansas City, MO 64157

LWVKC Special Event Team!

By Anne Calvert

Hello LWVKC members and fans! We are hard at work planning our annual trivia night which we are calling Fired Up to Vote this year. We are also looking ahead to the future of our Special Events team. We invite you to join us at two events in August:

Fired Up to Vote Trivia Fact Finding Mission

Come help research facts about topics as diverse as American Cities Named for Women to Sports Rules to Notable Daughters! Our trivia hosts will take the facts we find at this work party and turn them into questions for Fired Up to Vote (happening September 16 at the Firehouse). Doing the research will be fun and will give you an advantage at Fired Up to Vote!

Where: The Borough Restaurant and Coffee Shop, 8026 Passeo
When: August 8, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Extra info: events@lwvkc.org

Introduction to Event Team 2027

Want to learn more about the team that puts on special events for LWVKC? Come to this introductory meeting! We will have a short presentation and answer any questions you might have. And you can meet the team working on Fired Up to Vote!

Where: Zoom
When: Monday, August 10, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Extra info: events@lwvkc.org

Voting Rights Roundtable Update

By Ginny Lennon - Co-editor

The League of Women Voters of Kansas City (LWVKC), Habitat for Humanity, and American Public Media recently marked 30 months of hosting a monthly Voting Rights Roundtable. This Roundtable was established to gather representatives from KC area organizations to share plans for registering voters, getting out the vote, advocating issues, and defending our right to vote.

The July 1, 2026, session highlighted ongoing local efforts, with key briefings coordinated by our Past President, Anne Calvert. In addition to LWVKC, ten local organizations that champion democracy and voting rights reported on their ongoing work and shared voter information resources: Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC), Grandparents for Gun Safety; Clay-Platte Indivisible; Indivisible Kansas City; Wyandotte Indivisible; The Voter Network; Habitat for Humanity KC; Health Forward Foundation; Jewish Family Services; and LWVJoCo.

Here are highlights of the work and resources shared at that Roundtable: Read Full Article

Gift to LWVKC

By Melanie Busse, President

A neighborhood block party at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Center led to a gift of a historical artifact to LWVKC! The surprise donation is an original poster commemorating the October 24, 1984 Presidential Debate held here in Kansas City. Hosted by the League, the debate featured a fierce showdown between President Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale. Some of you may have even been in attendance!

An Interview with 50-Year Lifetime Member Pauline Testermine

By Ginny Lennon, Co-editor

What made you want to join the League in 1976? Where did you join, and under what circumstances?

I joined LWV in 1976 because I wanted to get more involved in supporting the ERA. The League had more visibility at that time because they sponsored the presidential and vice presidential debates. I joined in Kansas City, KS, where I lived at the time. I learned so much from the League! They did a water study where I first learned about the Ogallalah aquifer and even what an aquifer is.

Which have been among the most important issues you have been concerned about over the years?

I believe that supporting women's reproductive rights and civil rights are the most important work we do. Exposing dark money in elections and making it easier to vote, have been our "labor in the vineyards" work -- our constant goals. My main appreciation for the League is the information and education we provide to our members; our studies and positions, and our candidate forums. I guess I've given up on the ERA. Read full article

Info You May Need!

John R. Lewis Teach, Reach, Preach

July 17, 18, 19
By Melanie Busse, President

Across America, Let's Make Good Trouble. Six years after the passing of Congressman Lewis, we must continue the fight for voting rights with the Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action (GTLO), the weekend of July 17 to 19. Coined by civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis, "Good Trouble" is the act of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice. The power of collective non-violent action resulted in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and we must maintain that same collective action to fight for voting rights today.

Why now? We're witnessing a Jim-Crow era effort to restrict our freedoms and silence Black and Brown communities. This past year, politicians in Congress and state legislatures have pushed anti-voter bills, and following the Supreme Court's decision to gut the Voting Rights Act, state legislatures across the South are forcing through racist maps, designed to stifle Black and Brown voting power, because they know, our country is strongest when voters show up, speak out, and exercise our power. President Trump continues to call the SAVE Act his "No. 1 priority" and repeatedly calls on congress to attach it to other "must-pass" legislation.

In the spirit of Congressman John Lewis, we must teach the public about what is happening, then reach out to our community members and preach about our movement across religions. The LWVKC is exploring ways to collaborate with others to honor Congressman Lewis that weekend.

But there are many ways you can honor his legacy. Contact your representatives, discuss important issues with your community, help someone form a plan to vote, and remind them to check their voter registration status. As recently heard at the LWV National Convention, we can no longer just be spectators, we need to join the team on the field to achieve a victory. The next 6 weeks are crucial. Help protect democracy. Go Out and Get into Some Good Trouble!

How to Become a Volunteer with LWVKC

Attend a DEI/Non-partisan training session if it's needed (get on the list here).
Find and sign up for an opportunity on our website here (be sure you are logged in first!).
Attend any training or view any training videos required for your volunteer opportunity (here's the voter registration training video).
Show up and do the work!

Upcoming Events

Voting Events

Voter registration deadline for August 4 primary!
When: July 8, 2026

Early voting (in-person, NO EXCUSE REQUIRED) begins
When: July 21, 2026

Deadline to request a mail-in ballot for August 4 election
When: July 22, 2026

League Events

Candidate Forums and Ballot Measure Presentations shown above.

DEI/Non-Partisan Training
When: July 7, 2026, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Westport Library, 2nd Floor meeting room, 118 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111
Log in and registration required

Monthly Meeting and Yard Sign Making Party
When: July 11, 2026, 9:30 -11:00 a.m. (Meeting), 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Party)
Where: Kansas City Public Library North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64123
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83203229790

GOTV City Market Voter Services Event
When: July 11, 2026, 7:30 - 11:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Where: City Market, 20 East 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Sign up link

Mix & Mingle at McLain's Market NKC
When: July 14, 2026, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: McLain's Market North Kansas City, 1720 Swift Street, North Kansas City, MO

LWVKC Book Club
When: July 16, 2026, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84083430103

GOTV City Market Voter Services Event
When: July 18, 2026, 7:30 - 11:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Where: City Market, 20 East 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Sign up link

John R. Lewis Weekend of Action: Teach, Reach, Preach
When: July 17 - 19
Check the calendar for events happening throughout the Kansas City area.

Voter Registration Event - Mothers of Incarcerated Sons
When: July 25, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (2.25 hr. shifts)
Sign up link

Committee Meetings

Membership Committee Meeting
When: July 7, 2026, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (TODAY)
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88399330170

Forums Committee Meeting
When: July 20, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89495079328

Voter Guide / Vote411 Committee Meeting
When: July 23, 2026, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84326330757

Observer Corps Committee (quarterly)
When: July 28, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89523016094

Technology Committee Meeting
When: July 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88953712786

Committee Chair Meeting
When: August 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85969931491

Suggestion Box

Do you have an idea for a future meeting topic or guest speaker? How about a great design for a “Get-out-the-vote” poster? Or maybe you’ve been wanting to present a Power Point on redistricting.

Now’s your chance!

Put a suggestion in our suggestion box!

It all starts by filling out the form and submitting it to our suggestion box here!

Democracy looks like the League of Women Voters

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