JUNE 2026

President’s Message

State of the League of Women Voters Akron-Area 2026 

     Our Annual Meeting took place on June 4 at The Trailhead at Cascade Lofts (Lock 15).  I was tasked to summarize the accomplishments of our chapter for last year.  Laurie Curfman, our VP of Voter Services, outlined our goals for the coming year which will be featured in next month’s newsletter. 

     The National LWVUS as well as the Ohio LWV chapters are superpowers and I began to realize that the LWV Akron-area is also.

     We are well grounded in the history of improving our democracy since the 1940’s here in Akron. We have 2 funds that fuel our efforts: our 501C3 tax deductible education fund and our 501C4 operating budget. When you donate, please do so separately from your membership fees so that our chapter can retain the entire donation for our area work. 

     When you join the local chapter, you automatically are enrolled in the Ohio and US organizations.  The League of Women Voters of Ohio, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. 

     Although women led, men are most welcome and men hold many important positions inside the League. 

     LWV is well known for its Voter Guide and website Vote411, where you can find comprehensive voter information including, registration status, polling places, times and drop box location, sample ballots, information on candidates and more, which is critical as the rules are constantly changing. 

     LWV supports voting rights, education, election security and fair redistricting to name a few of our most important objectives.  LWV stands on positions that are ratified at our National Convention. These positions come up from the local leagues and then to the state leagues. We are a grassroots organization and not a top-down organization dictated from above. I encourage you to check out the LWVUS website for a comprehensive look at our positions adopted over the years that include voting, environment, education and much more. 

     These days, we have become very focused on not just improving our democracy but protecting it.  As our National CEO, Celina Stewart has proclaimed, “We are in a constitutional crisis.”

     Let me make this distinction: although we do not endorse parties or candidates, we do and must call out elected officials and highlight how they are representing us, so that voters can make informed decisions at the ballot box. That is where advocacy and education play a most important role. 

     So, what have we done here in Akron to advance our goals and protect democracy? To summarize: 

• We have set up registration drives at Citizenship events, student and kid events, Foodbanks, Pride Celebrations, Barberton Mum Fest, University of Akron, Stark State, Faith and Blue and more. Ward 5 got lots of love especially and their voting percentage rose 12% due to ours and other efforts. 
• We distributed voting information at Open M, at many events and to businesses as well. 
• We conducted Candidate and Issue Forums, which are so valuable to our communities such as Peninsula, Bath, Copley-Fairlawn, Revere School District as well as the Akron School Board election to help voters make good decisions.
• We published our popular Voter Guide online and will print hard copies for the November elections coming up. 
• We held educational meetings featuring: How to Run for School Board, the fabulous Rachel Coyle, who helped us understand how we can affect Ohio politics, and our own Ohio LWV Ohio team featuring Jen Miller, our Executive Director.
• Braver Angels helped us to understand how to handle the Holidays when our relatives are on the other side, and our own LWVAA member, Debra Campbell, principal at South High School in Youngstown, shared the devastation wrought by the cuts in school funding. 
• We have been in No Kings demonstrations as participants and as a sponsor. 
• We have strengthened our coalitions with other community organizations such as NAACP, Fair Districts, Green Social Justice, Indivisible Akron, Freedom Bloc, SANe and more nonpartisan groups. 
• We held trainings: 
  
  • How to work the various tasks at a Forum 
  • How to register voters 

     We also had fun at our Annual Potluck in August, Dearest Enemy in June, Suffs, the Broadway play, in February, and at our new member folding parties. We were invited to have a League table at the Cyndi Lauper concert at Blossom and were treated to a great show.

     Other accomplishments include updating our website, sending a monthly newsletter, creating 7 sets of registration Tabling kits, thereby increasing our ability to be more places.  We were able to attract many new members and integrate them into our chapter. 

To accomplish all of the above requires a robust team effort. This is just an abbreviated listing, and I am sure I have not included all of our activities as we are always up to something.

I encourage you to dive in and become an active participant. You will find your people here. Check out our newsletter every month. Let us know your skills, interests and ability to volunteer. We currently have some help wanted positions. 

And mostly, let us act from a place of hope and collective power. A friend sent me these wonderful words recently.  

“Some days your greatest achievement will be simply showing up with a hopeful heart.  Never underestimate the power of continuing to believe in better days, even when you cannot see them.”

Mary Robbins 
President, LWVAA 

Contents in Newsletter

Democracy performs best when voters are actively engaged, have accurate information and access to the ballot.

LISTEN, ENGAGE, VOTE 2026 ELECTION COVERAGE

IDEASTREAM STAFF WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

THE EVENT WILL BE HELD TWO TIMES AT THE GREEN BRANCH LIBRARY AND TWO TIMES AT HIGHLAND SQUARE BRANCH LIBRARY.

Come and get to know more about Akron and fellow League members!!

Please register at the link HERE

EVENTS

Tuesday, June 23 @ 7 pm:  The US in Constitutional Crisis

Join the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus, LWV Bowling Green, and LWV Ohio for a timely statewide webinar exploring the balance of powers within the U.S. government and the constitutional challenges facing our democracy.

Register HERE

Juneteenth Stronger Together Celebration 2026 (Akron)

June 17, 19 & 20, 2026 

A multi-day community experience honoring history, culture, unity, and collective progress.

This year’s celebration will include community distribution, conversations, cocktails, fireworks, the 50th West Akron Parade, live entertainment, vendors, food, family activities, resources, and cultural celebration.

Find out more HERE.

Fair Courts & The Environment Series

How to Pursue Environmental Protection through the Courts

Wednesday, June 24 @ 6:00 pm

Judges, Judicial Philosophy & the Environment

Wednesday, July 22 @ 6:00 pm

Understanding the Intersection of State Agencies, the Courts & Your Utility Bills

Wednesday, August 19 @ 6:00 pm

The Voter Outreach training was well attended.  If you were unable to attend, never fear - the video and slides are available HERE.

New Ohio Voter Registration Form on Secretary of State's website - a reminder:

In February 2026, Ohio posted a new voter registration form (see below).  This re-vamped form highlights in red the sections that must be completed. Print a copy to review if you are interested in registering voters.  To print a copy, go HERE

WONDERING HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

FILL OUT OR UPDATE THE PROFILE FORM.  Find the Link HERE 

ONCE YOU SUBMIT, YOUR SELECTIONS WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR PROFILE

WHY FILL OUT THE FROFILE FORM?

The LWVAA committees contact interested members to help in certain areas through the information in your profile.

If yours is blank, then you will not be notified. 

SO please fill out your profile!!

That being said, any member can attend events you find in the Newsletter and on LWVAA website.

LWVO ZOOM CALLS:

STAY CURRENT ON LEAGUE POSITIONS

LWVO July All-Member call | Tuesday, July 7 @ noon

Monthly call led by LWVO staff and board members to provide updates on what the state League is working on, share resources, and hear member feedback; often there are guests. Open to all LWVO members.

Register here if you’ve not already done so

LWVO Voter Services | Tuesday, June 23 @ 7pm

Monthly call led by LWVO Voter Service coordinator Heather Nye to provide training, guidance, and resources for members involved in voter service work, as well as provide opportunities for LLs to share information. Open to all members who do voter service work.

Join call here

HELP WANTED

We are highlighting an area in our chapter that needs volunteers!

 The Observer Corp.

This often-overlooked activity has outsized importance in our democracy by letting our elected officials know that the citizens are watching them as they conduct their meetings.

It takes little effort and is so very fundamental to the League’s democracy goals!

We don’t comment or interact – just observe either in person or virtually. We offer some training for new members and are grateful that we have citizens who are willing to offer up a bit of time to help keep our government honest and above board. It is simply a fact that officials act differently when they know citizens are watching.

Could this opportunity be a fit for you? 

HERE is more information

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