Participants in the Walk the Line, Rock the Vote event pose for a group photo.

By Alison McCaffree, Redistricting Issue Chair, LWV of Washington

This fall, Cindy Olivas, former President of LWV of Yakima County, and Alison McCaffree, LWVWA’s Redistricting Issue Chair, partnered to create a redistricting education project for people in Yakima and Sunnyside. At two educational talks, attendees engaged enthusiastically and challenged the status quo. Olivas and McCaffree next organized a Walk the Line, Rock the Vote event on Oct.10, 2026. A dedicated group of people assembled on a beautiful fall morning to walk the streets in the city of Yakima on the line between Legislative District 14 and Legislative District 15. Neighbors on one side of the street are in a different district than the other side. This event highlighted that when redistricting is done right, the voice of the voters is heard.

Why Yakima?
The Yakima Valley is the location of a long battle for representation by Latino citizens. In 2024, five Latino citizens from Yakima Valley sued and won a discrimination case that caused the redrawing of the Washington State legislative district lines (Soto Palmer v Hobbs↗️). On October 5, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States threw out this decision. The Court called on the lower courts to review the Soto Palmer case considering the April 2026 Louisiana v Callais decision↗️ that gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Join Cindy and Alison and the other members of the Washington Redistricting Reform Taskforce to work toward redistricting reform. The Task Force meets every month on the third Wednesday at 2pm.

For more information contact Alison McCaffree.

By Alison McCaffree, Redistricting Issue Chair, LWV of Washington

The 2026 midterm election saw wins that overwhelmed attempts to secure seats through gerrymandering. While the final numbers are not yet in, it is clear that without reform the craziness that happened in redistricting over the last 18 months, could happen again. Who loses? The voters.

LWV calls for fair redistricting across the nation. Congress could pass laws that ban partisan gerrymandering and mid-decade redistricting in addition to mandating that every state does its redistricting by citizen commission. In Washington state, our 5 person, bi-partisan commission is lacking representation from those not associated with the two major parties. Washington would greatly benefit from an expanded, more representative, citizen commission whose members are decided by an application and selection process.

Take Back the Maps
The League of Women Voters of Washington is advocating for changes to Washington’s redistricting process. Ultimately, the LWVWA calls for a constitutional amendment to create this expanded, citizen commission. This is called People First Redistricting. The current budget climate means that a short-term goal of adding guidelines to the current commission is more feasible. The current bill campaign, called Take Back the Maps, would increase transparency and accountability for the 2031 Washington State Redistricting Commission.

By MAK Mitchell, Money Out of Politics Issue Chair, LWV of Washington

The League of Women Voters of Washington has long valued the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission’s attention to campaign finance disclosure, lobbying activities and the financial interests of public officials.

After all, the League, along with a handful of other good-government groups, was instrumental in the commission’s formation in 1972 after the state Legislature itself had failed to pass comprehensive campaign finance law.

But a recent act by the PDC creates an urgency for the League and others to act.

On Oct. 22, the PDC adopted an interpretive statement suspending enforcement of certain restrictions on large contributions over $75,000 from a single source during the final 21 days before a general election. 

In adopting the statement, commission officials cited constitutional questions raised by prior federal court decisions. 

However, the PDC did not repeal the statute, issue an expiration date or declare the statute unconstitutional. Some critics questioned the right of PDC to stop enforcement of a state law. 

Critics also raised concerns that large, late infusions of money less than two weeks before the election could reduce voters’ opportunity to learn who is financing political activity before voting. 

And a few days after the adoption of the statement, three large contributions transferred to other political action committees: a $100,000 transfer from a business-backed political committee to another PAC; and $350,000 and $250,000 independent corporate contributions for two competing judges transferred to PACs. All three transfers made it difficult for voters to track to judicial campaign spending. 

The PDC explained that commissioners believed federal constitutional developments raised serious questions about enforcing the provision, that they wanted consistent enforcement across campaigns, and that they thought it was preferable to announce the policy publicly before the election rather than handle enforcement disputes afterward. 

The League’s commitment to campaign finance disclosure, even nationally, is long standing.  As noted in the League of Women Voters of the United States’ Program In Action document, “spending abuses in congressional and presidential campaigns” spurred the LWVUS to adopt its Campaign Finance position in the early 1970s.  

Furthermore, the League’s position on Money in Politics↗️ makes clear the League believes in the elemental principle of representative government where political authority originates from the people, not money or corporations. 

It is ironic that the commission’s stated position — “to build public confidence in the political process and government” — aligns directly with the League’s Money in Politics position, adopted to ensure our government serves the people, by promoting transparency, limiting SuperPACs, and eliminating dark money. 

In the wake of the PDC decision, the Washington League plans to step up efforts to restore fairness through the Legislature. 

For more information and to get involved, contact MAK Mitchell. 

Get informed. Get involved. Make your voice heard.
Join the League of Women Voters of Washington for Lobby with the League, a series of four virtual educational events November 30th-December 9th designed to prepare League members and supporters for advocacy during the 2027 legislative session. Register here!↗️

Learn about the issues shaping Washington's legislative agenda, explore the League's positions and priorities, and hear from members of the LWVWA Lobby Team about the work ahead. Each session will focus on a different area of the League's public policy program, giving participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of key issues and learn how to engage with legislators and support the League's advocacy efforts.

Whether you're new to League advocacy or an experienced advocate, these sessions will help you get informed, get involved, and make your voice heard during the legislative session. The four sessions are:

Nov. 30, 2026 | Protecting Democracy Under Siege
Explore the League's priorities for protecting and strengthening democracy in Washington State. You'll hear about our election projection ideas, Take Back the Maps proposal for transparent redistricting, the corporate power reset bills to fight big money, and ways to funding local journalism and increase media literacy.

Dec. 2, 2026 | Protecting Environmental Quality
Learn about the League's work to protect the quality of our air, water, and land resources. Topics will include the climate crisis and energy, water, agricultural impacts, forests, and waste diversion.

Dec. 7, 2026 | Protecting the Basic Needs and Well-being of all Washingtonians
Explore the League's work to advance equal rights and ensure that everyone has access to the resources and services they need to thrive. Topics will include the administration of justice, children's programs, Early Care & Education, Behavioral Health & Health Care, immigrant rights, and elder caregiving.

Dec. 9, 2026 | Protecting Funding
Explore the issues facing Washington's budget, then learn more about the League's upcoming Lobby Day, to be held in Olympia on February 9.

Registration for each event is free, but donations are appreciated. Learn more↗️

Amid increased surveillance at county elections offices, auditors throughout Washington state continue to urge voters to submit their ballots via an Official Ballot Drop Box↗️ prior to the 8 pm Nov. 3 deadline. 

Additional security is being provided by members of the National Guard in counties where auditors accepted an offer from Gov. Ferguson earlier this week to supplement county staff with Guard personnel dressed in civilian clothing.

As of late Tuesday, seven counties — King, Snohomish, Pierce, Clark, Thurston, Lewis and Island — had accepted Ferguson’s offer, according to the governor’s office.

Ferguson identified the security detail as “Election Neighborhood Watch personnel” who are “inconspicuously” monitoring ballot drop boxes or other high-traffic areas where voting is occurring.

The governor said the added personnel will not interact with ballots or voters dropping off their ballots, but they would serve “as eyes and ears on the ground,” ready to coordinate with local authorities in case of problems.

Auditors reminded voters that mailing their ballots at this date is not wise as postal delays could lead to a late arrival, invalidating a ballot. Auditors also remind voters to sign their ballots.

Voters are encouraged to ensure their ballots have been accepted by elections officials by going to VoteWA.gov↗️, where they can view the status of their ballot.  Voters can also sign up to receive a text informing their ballot has been accepted.

Late postmarks increased in 2026
They increased by 4133 during Washington state’s 2026 primary (compared to the 2024 primary). 74.8% of rejected ballots were attributed to late postmarks in 2026.

Ballot drop box expansions
In 2026, the office of the Secretary of State made funding available for counties to install new ballot drop boxes, improve their existing ballot drop boxes, or enhance communication plans to promote ballot drop box usage. Counties have used these funds to install 21 new ballot drop box locations. 

Emerging election issues

USPS service reliability
Continued attention and voter education on postmarking practices, delivery timelines, and late-arriving ballots. To help voters find out whether their mail ballots might be affected, Democracy Docket mapped zip codes↗️

where mail pickup changes were in effect. See the map from Oct. 1, 2026 below:

Election security resources
Changes in federal support and state efforts to maintain critical cybersecurity services. 

Voter confusion

Clear communication about ballot return options, deadlines, and ballot status tracking is paramount. 

Positive development

USPS rule blocked
On Sept. 14, the U.S. Supreme Court left an injunction in place preventing the new USPS ballot-mail rule from taking effect before the November General Election. Washington can proceed with its established election processes without implementing new requirements. 

For more information, see the recording of the Sept. 23 Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee Work Session meeting↗️. Click "View video" and skip to minute ~35.

Voting for the 2026 midterms is continuing by the normal process in light of two recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. 

On Sept. 14, 2026, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Postal Service cannot place new restrictions on ballot mail before the Nov. 3 General Election. Therefore, there is no change to Washington election processes.

In addition, on Sept. 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order in Department of Homeland Security v. League of Women Voters concerning the federal government’s expanded Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. This SAVE database has no relation to the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) though the League has opposed the use of both. 

The Court’s order allows the expanded SAVE system to operate while the case continues through the courts. State and local election officials can now use the system to help verify citizenship information. The underlying case has not been finally resolved.

What you should know:

• The expanded SAVE system uses federal records to conduct citizenship-related checks. Litigation has raised questions about the accuracy and completeness of some underlying records, including records involving naturalized citizens.
  
  
• The Supreme Court’s order also addressed the federal law governing systematic voter-roll removals before federal elections.

• 
  

The most important step is simple: Check your registration status before the election↗️.

Vist Vote411.org↗️ or VoteWA.gov↗️ to confirm:

• You are registered at your current address
• Your name and other registration information are correct
• You know where are eligible to vote
• You have time to resolve any questions before voting
  
• 
  

If you receive a notice from an election official about your registration or eligibility, do not assume that your registration has been cancelled. Read the notice carefully and contact your state or local election office using contact information from its official website.

The case will continue in the lower courts. So, for now, checking your registration early↗️ and responding promptly to any official notice can help you avoid surprises on Election Day.

Please visit your state or local election office for official registration information and instructions.

On Monday Oct. 5, the Supreme Court of the United States demanded another look at Washington State’s legislative district maps. This latest twist in the dispute over the 2021 redistricting process in Washington State, kicked off when the Court decided Louisiana v Callais in April 2026; significantly weakening the federal Voting Rights Act. In this week’s ruling, SCOTUS remands the case about Washington’s maps to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review in light of Callais.

This week’s decision doesn’t change the maps for the 2026 election but could mean that Washington will have new legislative maps before 2028. The next redistricting maps are set to be drawn in 2031 after the 2030 Census is complete.

In 2024, the original case: Soto Palmer v Hobbs↗️, was decided in favor of the Yakima Valley Latino citizens and the districts were redrawn to combine majority Latino communities and give them a chance to elect candidates of their choose.  The 9th U.S. Circuit upheld the decision, concluding race was not the predominant factor in shaping the redrawn map. These rulings have now been scraped, and the courts will reexamine. The original plaintiffs↗️ will continue the fight.

The League of Women Voters of Washington has a long history of pushing for redistricting reform.  Considering the rocky process in 2021, LWVWA is advocating its Take Back the Maps bill proposal in 2027 to change the rules for the Washington State Redistricting Commission to that the process in more visible and more accountable to the people of the state. In the long run, LWVWA would like to see a state constitutional amendment that creates a citizens commission – an expanded commission of ordinary people that increases representation, transparency and puts the needs of the people first. This type of commission would increase trust in our line drawing process and make lengthy legal battles, like we are seeing now, less likely to occur. 

Join the effort by contacting Alison McCaffree, LWVWA Democracy Issue Chair, and attending the Redistricting Reform Task Force meetings↗️. 

By Karen Crowley, President, LWV of Washington

Every election season, someone asks the same question, usually with a raised eyebrow: "If the League of Women Voters doesn't take sides, why does it have so much to say?"

It's a fair question. It's also based on a misunderstanding we'd like to clear up, because the answer is rooted in what democracy requires of people who care about it.

Political distinction
Since our founding in 1920, the League has held this stance: We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We don't ask our members who they vote for. We don't fund campaigns. We don't wear party jerseys.

We take this commitment to nonpartisanship seriously. It's why our voice carries above the noise of party politics, and why people across the political spectrum have trusted our voter guides and candidate forums for decades.

But nonpartisan never meant neutral. And it certainly never means silent.

Being partisan means taking a firm side tied to a political party — prioritizing one group's success and often resisting compromise because the goal is winning for the team.

Being political, in contrast, means engaging with civic life, public policy and the problems a community faces. It means showing up to public hearings, pushing for clean water or defending the right to vote — none of which requires choosing a party. That's the League’s distinction: nonpartisan on candidates and parties, unapologetically political on issues.

What this means in practice
We take positions on governmental policy — such as voting rights, environmental protection, education, health care — and do so through study, not allegiance. We follow the policy, not the person or party behind it.

Sometimes that position aligns with a party platform; sometimes it doesn't. That's the whole point: We're don’t push a team. We evaluate whether a policy serves voters and strengthens democracy.

Nonpartisanship does not require silence about the actions of elected officials. Once elected, a candidate becomes our representative. We have a right — even an obligation — to weigh in on policy decisions they make on our behalf.

The League is not neutral about democracy itself. We are pro-voter and pro-democracy, and consider the defense of voting access, government transparency and democratic norms a civic duty — not a partisan strategy.

This year, the League of Women Voters of Washington has taken public positions opposing state ballot initiatives we believe would strip protections from vulnerable children and undermine successful state policy, and we support requiring the highest earners to pay their fair share toward education, health care and working families. None of this is about which party wrote an initiative. It's about what the initiative would actually do.

Standing firm without picking sides
The line between 'political' and 'partisan' isn't always where our critics claim. Those who oppose reforms the League supports sometimes call our advocacy 'partisan' to try to limit our influence. The accusation won’t silence us.

That same clear-eyed confidence guides how we work with others. Partnering with another organization to co-host a voter registration drive, work in a coalition or share the stage at an event does not compromise our nonpartisanship, even if that partner has endorsed a candidate.

What matters is whether the partnership itself stays focused on the shared issue. Each League's board weighs that, considering local conditions and community trust.

In fact, today’s issues warrant deep, authentic coalition work. We are stronger and more effective when we can work together to speak with one voice.

The League’s bright line remains: We will not organize or lead an effort built explicitly to support or oppose a candidate or a party. Everything short of that is a judgment call, made locally.

Bold, loud and still nonpartisan
This moment calls us to be bold enough to name issues, loud enough to be heard without apology, nimble enough to mobilize quickly — all while remaining scrupulously nonpartisan. Those aren't contradictions. They're part of the same muscle the League has flexed for 106 years.

Nonpartisan never meant passive. This discipline lets us fight harder for voters. We don't check our voice at the door to prove we're fair. We stay fair so that our voice means something. That's the deal we made in 1920, and it's the deal we're keeping now.

States like Washington can continue using our existing mail-voting processes for the November election, without new federal requirements being imposed weeks before Election Day as the Supreme Court left the injunction blocking key parts of a proposed new rule in place. Together with the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and LWV partners, LWVUS went to court to protect voters and stop these last-minute changes from taking effect. But while we should celebrate this victory, we also know our work isn't finished. 

In a separate opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh indicated that the Postal Service may have the authority to issue this kind of rule. His reason for blocking it now was clear: election officials simply don't have enough time to implement it before November.

That means we have to be ready for what comes next.

The League will continue fighting attempts to create new barriers to the ballot — in the courts, in communities, and wherever voters' rights are at stake. For more information, see: US Supreme Court Blocks Postal Service From Restricting Mail Ballots↗️.

Remember, your vote is secure. As Secretary of State Hobbs recently told the Journal of San Juan Islands↗️, “Incidents of voter fraud are incredibly rare. In Washington state, there were just five cases between 2008 and 2025, out of 90 million ballots cast during that time.”