February League Lookout - LWVNAZ News/Events Northern Arizona and Greater Verde Valley
| LWVNAZ Members and Supporters:
We have changed our newsletter to a quarterly format covering events for the next few months, supplementing this with periodic emails on specific events. We are providing information that the League is sponsoring as well as information about events that you might find of interest. Feel free to share this information with anyone you think would benefit from this information!
To get information about other league activities, see our website.
| Message from the Board
Hello fellow Leaguers,
Welcome to 2026!
There are a lot of exciting things going on this year! There are so many ways to get involved - attend a voter education presentation, read some interesting books and discuss them, learn how to interact with the state legislature and express your opinion using Request to Speak, register voters, mentor young voters, and join our board to have a voice in our direction. Hopefully, you will find at least one activity that inspires you to get involved. Hope to see you soon!
In League,
Kathy Henry
| Do you support safe, secure and convenient voting in Arizona? Do you want to learn more about how efforts are underway to gut early voting, the system used by nearly 80% of AZ voters?
Then come to a special Voter Education Event by the LWV of Northern Arizona.
Fighting Voter Suppression Efforts
a special Voter Education Program with
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
Monday February 9
5:30 - 7 PM
Cottonwood Rec Center
150 S 6th St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Register Now
| | Adrian Fontes has served as the Arizona Secretary of State since January 2022 . One of his primary duties is the oversight and administration of secure and accurate elections. In that role he has seen increasing efforts to gut early voting. The safety, security and convenience of mail-in voting is something a vast majority of Arizonans can agree upon. Mail in ballots are used by nearly 80% of Arizona Voters.
Learn about his efforts to fight this and other forms of voter suppression.
“The beauty of American democracy is that it levels the playing field. Every eligible voter is given one vote that holds the same weight as everyone else” -SOS Adrian Fontes | | | |
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
May 14 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Virtual Voter Education Program
Identifying and Combatting Mis- and Disinformation
Barbara McQuade
| | | Saboteurs at the Ballot Box: The Role of Mis- and Disinformation in Elections
This interactive program features Barbara McQuade, Professor of Law - University of Michigan, and author of "Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America" (New York: Seven Stories Press, 2024). Professor McQuade teaches courses in criminal law, criminal procedure, national security and data privacy. She also is a frequent legal analyst for NBC News and MSNow as well as co-host of the podcast #SistersInLaw.
From 2010-2017, McQuade served as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Appointed by President Barack Obama, she was the first woman to serve in her position. She and her husband have four children and live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Professor McQuade will be joined by a distinguished panel including
Aubrey Sonderegger, Coconino County Clerk
Michelle Burchill, Yavapai County Clerk
Gina Roberts, Voter Education Director, Arizona Clean Elections Commission
with questions posed by GEN Z voters Francesca Martin and Ashley Gonzalez.
More details about this upcoming program and instructions to register through Yavapai College/Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will be available in an upcoming newsletter. Also look for announcements from lwvnaz.org. The program is free and open to the general public. | | REQUEST TO SPEAK
Request to Speak is an online system that allows you to:
- Express your opinion on proposed legislation - FOR or AGAINST
- Send a comment
- Sign up to actually speak about a bill
Do you have to be a registered voter to use the system? No
Do you want to learn more?
Attend a Zoom training class on February 13th from 5:30 - 6:30 to learn more about the legislature and how to use Request to Speak.
Click this link to join the class | | | Do you want to help shape the future of the League across Arizona?
This is your opportunity to step into a statewide leadership role!
Interested in Serving as LWVAZ President-Elect?
Join us for an informational Zoom Meeting with:
Emily Bridson — LWVAZ President
Marcia Barry — President-Elect
They’ll answer your questions about the upcoming President-Elect Board Position for 2026.
 Date: February 12, 2026
 Time: 6:00 PM (AZ Time)
 Location: Zoom Feb 12 Registration link
Open to interested members — bring your questions!
 Position: President-Elect 2026-2028
What You’ll Do
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Support and collaborate with the LWVAZ President
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Lead strategic initiatives that strengthen local Leagues
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Build partnerships and advocate for nonpartisan civic engagement
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Prepare to transition into the President role
WHY SERVE? Work with dedicated, mission-driven members.
Amplify the League’s voice statewide and build leadership experience and networks.
Interested members fill out the application below and/or contact the nominating committee at sjp18907@gmail.com.
Link: Online Application Form
Deadline: March 1, 2026 | |
Make Your Voice Count!
Join the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Northern Arizona. Serving on our board is your opportunity to bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, make a tangible impact and help defend democracy.
Be part of our nonpartisan, activist, grassroots organization → Contact Robyn at lwvnaz@gmail.com | | |
LEGISLATIVE LOBBY WEEK IS COMING!
Join the League for an informative week and a visit to the state capitol. If you haven't attended before - consider this year
Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 (members only)
The morning begins with registration and a continental breakfast from 9 - 10 am, followed by a robust morning program featuring remarks from legislative leadership, including Senate President Warren Petersen, Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan, Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro (pending confirmation), and House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos. Members of the Arizona Voting Rights Coalition will share an overview of the proposed Arizona Voters First Act, offering timely context for League advocacy during this legislative session. A box lunch is provided, and in the afternoon members are encouraged to attend House or Senate committee hearings to observe the legislative process in action.
Advance registration is required. Registration closes February 17.
Virtual “Lunch and Learn” programs February 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28, 2026 (open to the public)
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Sunday, February 22 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. The First Amendment & Freedom of the Press (Webinar)
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Monday, February 23, 12:00-1:30 p.m. What the 2024 Vote Tells Us About 2026 - Presentation by America Votes (Webinar)
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Tuesday, February 24, 12:00–1:30 p.m. Protecting Voter Rolls from Administrative Overreach Presentation By Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes (Webinar)
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Thursday February 26, |12-1:30 p.m. Education in Arizona (Webinar)
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Friday February 27 |12-1:30 p.m. How the Legislative Process Works (Webinar)
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Saturday, February 28 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. One Person, One Vote (Webinar)
| | VOTER REGISTRATION
GET READY FOR 2026 – IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
State Primary Election – August 4, 2026 (including many local elections)
Voter Registration Deadline –
July 6, 2026
General Election – November 3, 2026 (including State Offices and All Congressional Districts)
Voter Registration Deadline – October 5, 2026 | | |
The Voter Registration Team has been busy organizing and conducting voter registration drives in advance of the 2026 Primary and General Elections. Volunteers have set up monthly voter registration tables throughout the Verde Valley and Flagstaff.
LWVNAZ Voter Registration Team Prepares for Elections 2026
LWVNAZ Voter Registration Team continues monthly voter registration activities in preparation for the 2026 mid-term elections. The team is organized by communities and schedules regular tabling events at libraries, farmers’ markets, schools, Yavapai College, senior centers, and selected churches and retail stores.
If you are interested in contributing to this effort, please contact the team leader in your respective community or email Gail Digate for more information (ggdigate@gmail.com).
Camp Verde
Kathy Davis (kdavis1247@gmail.com) or Kathy Henry (kshenry56@gmail.com)
Clarkdale
Janet Kissinger (janetkissinger@gmail.com)
Cottonwood/Jerome
Babe Gerstner (babegerstner@yahoo.com)
Flagstaff
Mary Grove (mfgrove@hotmail.com) or Sue Strobel (strobelsue@gmail.com)
Sedona
Nancy Ruby (nancyruby@gmail.com)
Village of Oak Creek
Rose O’Donnell (odonnellrose@yahoo.com) or Maryann Kenney (mckenney007@gmail.com)
Yavapai College and High Schools/Churches
Gail Digate (ggdigate@gmail.com)
The LWVNAZ Voter Registration Team has scheduled meetings for the year as follows:
Thursday, April 30, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon) In Person - Location TBA
Thursday, June 25, 2026 (10:00 – 11:00 AM) Zoom
September 24, 2026 (10:00 – 11:00 AM) Zoom
December 3, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon) In Person - Location TBA
Important Dates
STATE PRIMARY ELECTION*
Voter Registration Deadline: July 6
Early Voting Begins: July 8
Request Ballot by Mail Deadline: July 24
Primary Election: August 4
*Note: Arizona Legislature may change date for State Primary Election to last week in July. Arizona counties want to permanently move the state’s primary election from the first week in August to the final week of July. Federal law shortens the time Arizona is required to submit primary election results before the general election. Counties anticipate change likely to be enacted during February. Counties have requested the change to give election workers enough time to gain days before federal deadlines if a recount is triggered.
GENERAL ELECTION
Voter Registration Deadline: October 5
Early Voting Begins: October 7
Request Ballot by Mail Deadline: October 23
General Election: November 3
|
The Political Book Club meets at 3:00 pm MST on the last Monday of the month with the exception of December.
To kick off the 2026 year of reading, we had a small but enthusiastic group to discuss Alexei Navalny’s moving and tragic posthumous book, Patriot, A Memoir.
Future titles are the following:
Feb - Giving Up is Unforgivable by Joyce Vance
Mar and Apr - We the People by Jill Lepore
May - How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa
Jun - Separation of Church and State by John Fugelsang
Jul - An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, et al.
Aug - One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
Sep - Gen Z 360 by Hana Ben-Shabat
Oct - A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
Nov - Paper Girl by Beth Macy
Jan 2027 - The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnos
The only requirement to join us is to have read the book. We are still meeting via Zoom. If you would like to join the group, contact ann.holland99@gmail.com to obtain the Zoom link for the meeting.
| LWVNAZ MEMBERS REACH OUT TO GEN Z
A strategic priority of LWVAZ for the next several years is reaching out and engaging young voters in the work of the League of Women Voters.
We recognize that a critical component of successfully reaching out to and engaging young voters is the development of positive and mutually beneficial relationships between mentors and students.
As “experienced” voters, we have much to share with young people as they, in turn, help us gain new knowledge and insights into what is important to their generation. Undoubtedly, the act of listening to each other is integral to the success of this important League initiative.
During the past six months, LWVNAZ members have been meeting with government teachers and students at two area high schools to develop a multi-year partnership designed to bring together groups of interested students with LWVNAZ mentors to:
* conduct voter registration drives on campus and in the community
* participate in local candidate forums
* explore VOTE 411
* learn and practice effective ways to contact and speak with elected officials at various levels of government from local councils to Congress
* investigate how to analyze proposed legislation and ballot initiatives
* participate in and contribute to local league board and committee activities
Entitled LWVNAZ Young Voters Engagement Project, voter registration activities on campus will get underway during second semester at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy (FALA) and Mingus Union High School (MUHS).
If you are interested in serving as a mentor to highly motivated and thoughtful potential young voters by sharing your experience in any of the areas listed above, please send an email to lwvnaz@gmail.com indicating your interest. A member of the Project Design Team will be in contact with you after January 15, 2026. | |
Join the Northwest Maricopa County League of Women Voters for a professionally produced video performance of Emmy Award winning actress Elaine Bromka’s off-Broadway one-woman show Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat, and Betty. The show brings to life the wit, warmth, and wisdom of three remarkable First Ladies.
Tickets are $50 per person. The event will include coffee/tea, treats made from our own League favorites, copies of the First Ladies’ own recipes and a 50/50 raffle that benefits the Dysart community center GED program.
Saturday, March 7, 1:00-4:15pm at The Colonnade, 19116 N Colonnade Way, Surprise, AZ 85374.
Proceeds will benefit Northwest Maricopa County LWV. The League is a nonpartisan, grassroots, all-volunteer, nonprofit dedicated to empowering voters to defend democracy. The monies raised at Tea for 3 event will help our local league's mission to educate and empower voters in the West Valley through voter education & registration, our Youth Ambassador Program and One Person One Vote campaign.
Registration questions can be sent to Lois Hansen, loisjhansen@gmail.com
REGISTER HERE | |