President’s Message

State of the League of Women Voters Akron Area 

September 2026

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

We here at the League always ask our new members why they joined our organization.

The  most common answer is 

“I cannot be idle while our democracy is under attack – I HAVE to  DO SOMETHING.” 

Have I got an invitation for you today Join me and other Akron area members and friends  for a ROAD TRIP to Columbus on Saturday September 19 for an important event. We will  be learning how everyday people can protect our election process and our right to vote. 

Your benefits are many:

#1. Fortifying yourself with critical information from the League of Women Voters   Ohio.  You need this knowledge to inform others as well as for yourself. 

#2. Learn the many ways to Protect our Elections and what you can do NOW.

#3. Bond with other Leaguers and other like- minded citizens on a Road Trip to Columbus. 

I would add that one of the first events I attended after joining the League in 2023 was to  protest Issue 1 in Columbus and it was so rewarding and fun. I was able to get to know  others in the League and made seriously satisfying friendships and contacts. So if you are  looking for a way to break in, let me encourage you to join us.  

Also, anyone who attended our Teach-In last February knows what a powerful and engaging  team we have in Columbus. We are still basking in the positive reviews. This event  promises to be even more impactful with the outstanding speakers featured. 

Plus – added bonus – Free Lunch – check out the details below. 

So here is the plan.  

Register below and sign up for the Election Protection Summit on September 19 in Columbus. 

We will all meet at the west end of Summit Mall parking lot (Macy’s) at 7:30 am so we can  ride share or caravan together. 

Let’s Go. 

Mary Robbins 

President, League of Women Voters Akron Area

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

Calling All Democracy Defenders!

We have a Special Invitation from The Ohio Voter Rights Coalition to share with you:

Join us at the 2026 Election Protection Summit, on

Saturday, September 19 from 10am–3:30pm in Columbus!

The Election Protection Summit is hosted by Ohio Voter Rights Coalition (League is a member!) and the non-partisan Election Protection Coalition.

The event will feature:

          * Keynote Speaker, April England-Albright, National Legal Director of

                Black Voters Matter!

           *Mechanics of Voting panel” featuring several Board of Election officials from around                  the state

Lunch (free lunch provided)

           *Guest speaker, Omar Noureldin, VP Common Cause Policy & Litigation

           * Afternoon breakout sessions: Election Protection Poll Monitor training, Peacekeeper                   training, or college voting.

           Closing

Whether you've served as a Poll Worker, Poll Monitor, Election Protection Ambassador, Board of Elections Monitor, Peacekeeper, or are wanting to learn more, we would love to see you there.

This summit will give us a chance to connect in-person with a network of democracy defenders, celebrate all the work you've done on behalf of our democracy, and prepare for the November election ahead.

Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/ovrc/event/940927/

Sign up to be an Election Protection - Volunteer!!

Here’s how to get involved: 

• Promote the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline
• Sign up to distribute Election Protection materials, here
• Become a legal volunteer; submit interest form, here
• Train to be a Poll Monitor here
• Sign up to join in to volunteer with Election Protection here
• Sign up for Election Protection Welcome call Thursday, September 22, here
• Register for the September 19 Election Protection Summit in Columbus. Details above.

More information about Election Protection here

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT ELECTION EVENTS

MEET THE OFFICIALS- 

A Behind-The-Scenes Look at Our Elections

Wednesday, September 23, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Akron Main Library

Election officials don’t always make headlines, but they are the bedrock of our democracy. They are people in our communities who put in long hours before, during and after Election Day, showing up day after day to protect free and fair elections and staying committed to impartiality, security, and access to the vote. Even in the face of threats and intimidation. 

Join us for :

       1- Viewing of the short documentary, "The Officials", followed by

       2- Q & A with our local Summit County Board of Elections officials about the safety and                 security of our elections. 

Free and open to the public. RSVP at lwvaa.org

Ohio: Know your Voting Rights
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 PM -  8:00 PM

Your voting rights haven't changed- but the rules in Ohio certainly have.  Collin Marozzi with the ACLU in Ohio will give us the scoop on what you need to know to register- get your ballot and exercise your rights.

Register: Ohio: Know your Voting Rights

MEET THE JUDGES

Tuesday, October 13, 2026   5:30 - 7:30 pm

Akron Summit Main Library, 

There are 9 Judicial seats on the November 3rd Ballot.  The League of Women Voters of the Akron Area is hosting a "Meet the Judges" event, an opportunity for All Judicial Candidates to speak to the audience followed by a reception ~ your opportunity to speak directly with the candidates.

WATCH YOUR EMAIL FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS SOON!

CANDIDATE FORUM

OCTOBER 20 - MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

NOVEMBER 4 - ELECTION RESULTS CELEBRATION  

Public Education, Democracy, & the First Amendment | What's at Stake? 

Wednesday, September 16, from 7pm-8:30pm  Webinar

Join Honesty for Ohio Education and LWVO for this important conversation about why public education is essential to our democracy. Our guest is Derek Black, author of Schoolhouse Burning, who will discuss threats to public education and his analysis on current education trends in the context of our democratic erosion. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Bryan Warnick, OSU professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Studies. Register here.

Fair Districts/Fair Democracy Huddle call | September 9 @ 6pm

We’ll be focusing on LWVO’s local redistricting efforts, and be joined by Fair Districts Ohio is a coalition of grassroots organizations committed to fairer state legislative and congressional maps. We are a non-partisan team of voting rights experts and organizations working to create a better and more equitable representational democracy, led by LWVO, Common Cause Ohio, and ACLU Ohio, and joined by other good government organizations. These calls are the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6pm.

Register here

VOTER SERVICES

Take Action to Support Voters and Elections

◾ Sign up today and help your neighbors vote at powerthepolls.org/lwv:

Every voter should be able to cast a ballot with ease and confidence. Help ensure fair and accessible elections in your community by signing up to be a poll worker! Democracy is powered by heroes like you. Together, we can help make Ohio's elections accessible and effective for everyone.

◾ Encourage your network to check (and re-check) their

voter registration: Voter Lookup  

◾ Share key election dates and voting information with your friends and family.

More info HERE

Your Voice | Your Vote | Your Power tour 

The LWV Ohio's 2026 “Your Voice, Your Vote, Your Power" tour is coming to The University of Akron on September 18!  LWVO is parking a custom 20-foot Caravel Airstream trailer on campus and our LWVAA members will help register students to vote, share nonpartisan election information, and energize new and first-time voters ahead of Ohio’s fall election. https://www.mobilize.us/lwvohio/event/1010561/ 

Beyond the Rally:

Finding YOur People and

the Reality of Local Action

  WATCH   COMMENT   LIKE

And be prepared to be

uplifted with hope of

people working together!!

               WATCH HERE

If you have signed up for Registering & Educating Voters, look for the  Sign Up Genius logo in your emails for volunteer opportunities going forward this summer and fall.

Voter Outreach training is HERE

We will be busy at Farmers Markets, Community Celebrations, and Akron's Night Out.  

MEMBERSHIP

SAVE THE DATE!!  MEMBERSHIP ORIENTATION

OCTOBER 7 AT 5:30 AT AKRON MAIN LIBRARY

LWVAA IN ACTION THIS SUMMER!

VOTER SERVICES HAVE BEEN BUSY THIS SUMMER AND

THERE IS MORE TO COME!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

POSTCARDS FOR THE PEOPLE

AUGUST 8, 2026

The Potluck Dinner was fun and we got to hear an inspiring talk by Brandon Waithe of Buckeye Veterans Coalition.

Tabling at tbe PRIDE PARADE

WARD 10 NIGHT OUT

BARBERTON FARMERS MARKET

RICHFIELD COMMUNITY DAY

FREE LEGAL CLINIC SPONSERED BY  SUMMIT COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT

PLEASE SUPPORT THE

ED FUND AND VOTER

SERVICES NEEDS

SAVE YOUR ACME RECEIPTS!

The acme receipts can be mailed to :

LWVAA Ed Fund

815 Bloomfield Ave

Akron, OH 44302

COMMUNITY PARTNER EVENTS

LWVO ZOOM CALLS:

STAY CURRENT ON OHIO LEAGUE POSITIONS

LWVO August All-Member call | Tues October 6 @ 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.

Ohio Voter Rights Coalition (OVRC) call |

Friday bi-weekly call,  @ noon September 11 and September 24 @ noon

Every other Friday, OVRC hosts a call about what’s happening in Ohio’s democracy. OVRC is Ohio’s premier voter advocacy coalition group, led by LWVO, Common Cause Ohio, All Voting is Local, ACLU Ohio, and Ohio Voice, with contributions from democracy-focused individuals and organizations across the state. These calls are every other Friday at noon.

Register here

LWVO Voter Services | Tuesday, September 28 @ 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

LWVO Lobby Corps | Tuesday,  September 8 @ 7pm  and Septermber 22 at noon.

Bi-monthly call led by LWVO Advocacy Chair Karen Leith covering what's happening in the Ohio General Assembly and beyond as it connects to League priorities and the strategies we're planning to protect voting access and secure elections. Members must apply (see below).  

To be part of Lobby Corps, sign up here if you haven’t already done so

Our Contact Information

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