CALENDARS

2025 Legislative Calendar 

Fri, Mar. 28 Last day to hear bills in the other chamber

Fri, Apr. 18 Last day for consideration of bills in Conference Committee

Sat. Apr. 26 Adjournment Sine Die

In this issue: League Events and Calls to Action

Save these dates and sign up today.

• April 4 & 6 -  LWVAZ Hosts consensus discussion to provide input to the LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study team.
  Registration links  April 4, 12-2 p.m. or April 6, 2-4 p.m.

• April 5 - Mobilizing for national day of Action - Join a Hands Off event on

• April 19 - LWVAZ Conversation with ACLU Arizona - "Legal Pathways and Actions Defending Democracy".  Registration Links for  April 19, 2-3:30 p.m.

• May 17 & 18 - WOMEN RISE UP: Boldly Taking Action to Defend Democracy - League of Women Voters of Arizona 2025 Biennial Convention at the Cambria Hotel Phoenix. (Members only event) 
  Registration link for members

Urgent calls to Action read more in this newsletter:

• CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY TO TELL THEM

  • The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a Trick- Vote NO

  • Demand Your Members of Congress Attend Town Halls! Turn up the Heat!

  LWVUS embarks on study to develop a position in the Federal Judiciary

LWVAZ Hosts consensus discussion to provide input to the LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study team.

At the LWVUS 2024 Convention, delegates voted to proceed with a fast-tracked study on the federal judiciary, with a final position to be presented at the LWVUS 2025 Council in June.

To facilitate consensus, the state is coordinating virtual, cross-League discussions. These sessions will begin with a brief overview of the proposed topics, followed by small group discussions aimed at reaching a consensus. The meetings will be moderated, and  the results from each meeting will be summarized. The aggregated responses will form the state’s official response to the national study committee.

It is strongly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the study topics before the meeting. A link to the study information is below. You will also receive this information once you are registered for the meeting, and in meeting reminders through ZOOM.

Information about the work of the study committee is available on the League website under the "League Management" section  https://www.lwv.org/league-management/advocacy-litigation/2024-2025-federal-judiciary-study-process-committee-and

Your input is so important. The League Public Policies have led to positive outcomes for democracy in the past.  

Signup today to learn about the study and join the consensus discussions. 

Friday - April 4,  12:00 - 2 p.m.  April 4, Registration 

Sunday - April 6, 2:00- 4:00  p.m. April 6, Registration 

On April 5, We Unite to Say: Hands Off!  

The LWVUS is a national partner in this Day of Action. People are taking action to stop the power grab, corruption, and vicious attack on our rights and social and economic welfare. Although this is NOT a League-organized event, league members across the country are urged to participate.

A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. Nevertheless, anyone who decides to attend must assess the political climate in their area and evaluate the risks to their safety. LWVUS is not providing legal or safety coverage for participants. Members who choose to participate do so at their own risk. Go to https://handsoff2025.com to find an event near you. 

Leagues can still have a visible presence - wear your League t-shirts and bring flyers to distribute. We are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to demonstrate League visibility and to grow our membership. 

At all times, follow the law and prioritize safety. The Hands Off organizers are recommending that attendees wear white, which just happens to be the League’s signature color!

Safety resources:

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights

https://www.lwv.org/LWVUS Protest Safety Guidance

Link to register: https://bit.ly/aclulwvazconvo

Join the League of Women Voters of Arizona and ACLU Arizona Executive Director Victoria López and Policy Strategist Katelynn Contreras for a dynamic, action-focused discussion on Legal pathways for defending democracy. Learn about the ACLU’s strategies and discover concrete steps you can take to support us in this vital work.

Our speakers will focus on these key issues: 

Rule of Law, Judicial Integrity, and Access to Justice will cover topics such as compliance with court orders, the impact of targeting major law firms on plaintiffs' representation, due process in deportation cases, and the safeguarding of constitutional rights like free speech and assembly. 

Voter Engagement and Public Participation will highlight education on lawsuits, federal versus state jurisdiction, and how public involvement can shape legal outcomes. It will also track significant cases and their implications. 

League of Women Voters of Arizona

2025 STATE CONVENTION

 WOMEN RISE UP:  Boldly Taking Action to Defend Democracy

May 17 and May 18, 2025

Phoenix, Arizona

Cambria Hotel Phoenix- North Scottsdale, 

4425 East Irma Lane, Phoenix, AZ, 85050 

Join us for the 2025 League of Women Voters of Arizona Biennial Convention, where we’ll Rise Up for Democracy with courage, perseverance, and bold action. As democracy faces mounting challenges, now is the time to unite, amplify our voices, and take concrete steps to protect our communities. This convention is more than just discussing issues; it’s about building strength in numbers and honoring the legacy of the suffragettes who paved the way. Together, we will draw from their courage to boldly defend democracy today, inspire courageous action, and make our voices loud in the fight for democracy’s future.

The 2025 LWVAZ Convention will convene on Saturday, May 17, at 9 am and will adjourn on Sunday, May 18, at 4:00 pm, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arizona. The Convention will be entirely in person in Phoenix, Arizona. The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix has generously offered to act as local host and is organizing the local logistics and events in Phoenix.  All League members are invited to attend, whether as a local league delegate or not.  

Key program elements include:

• Plenary speakers addressing the pressing issues we face in Arizona and nationally, and how we can take action

• Panels designed to prepare us for the critical 2026 elections, including strategies for GOTV and addressing disinformation

• Interactive breakout sessions to collaborate on practical steps to advance our mission and organize local efforts to protect democracy

Registration Fees:  $275

The Registration fee covers all meals from the start of Convention on  May 17  until adjournment on May 18.  Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days, as well as a dinner on Saturday. 

Registration fees are nonrefundable. They can be transferred to another League member attending the convention.

How to Register

Registration opens April 2. 

Convention registration is only open to members. Be sure to sign in as a member. Use your sign on credentials from your local league (usually your email) to sign on.  If you forgot your password, please select the password and you will be sent a link to reset your password.

Registration Link

Lodging

We urge all attending members who need overnight accommodations to reserve hotel rooms as soon as possible. 

The Convention will be held at

Cambria Hotel Phoenix - North Scottsdale, 

4425 East Irma Lane, Phoenix, AZ, 85050 

Click here to find lodging information in Phoenix, Arizona

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a Trick

URGENT: CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY TO VOTE NO

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, H.R.22, introduced by U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-TX), is scheduled for a vote in the U.S. Congress this week (March 31 - April 4).

H.R.22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, will require that every eligible voter provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering and voting. Additionally, the citizenship documentation would need to be submitted in person to election officials.

Together, we can stop this harmful bill. Voters don’t need more obstacles to making their voices heard. Congress must ensure that every eligible US citizen has the freedom to vote unimpeded by discriminatory rules rooted in fear and division. 

What Can I Do?

This bill is expected to come to the floor of the US House during the week of March 31, 2025. Now is the time to reach out to your representative. Let the bill’s sponsors—Reps. Elijah Crane, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Abraham Hamadeh—know that Arizonans reject any legislation that undermines our right to vote. Republican House representatives from Arizona are expected to vote in favor of this legislation. Call all the representatives to pressure them to vote NO on this legislation. 

Use the LWVUS action alert to email your Representative now, or find your elected officials and call the district or DC offices!  

The LWVAZ president submitted the following two op-eds to the media on behalf of the LWVAZ.  The op-eds, which forcefully oppose the passage of the SAVE Act, were published in the Arizona Mirror and two independent Arizona newspapers. You may find these helpful to prepare talking points when contacting your Congressional representative. You can read the two versions here:

“A GOP proposal would mean Arizona's 1.5 million married women could lose voting access”    AZ Mirror

“SAVE Act will make voting harder for everyone, including 1.5 million women in Arizona” - Daily Independent -

Is My ID Valid For Voter Registration Under the SAVE Act?

Maybe, but maybe not! The legislation lists several different forms of identification that can be used to provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as passports, birth certificates, military IDs in combination with a record of service that lists a member's birthplace, certain tribal IDs, and a few others.  

However, the legislation is ambiguous regarding what additional documentation would be accepted if those items aren’t available or don’t match someone’s name or provide information about their birthplace. Over 140 million American citizens do not have a passport, one of the acceptable forms of proof of citizenship. This is especially true in rural areas. In seven states - West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Oklahoma,  over 70% of citizens don’t have a passport.

How Does the New Executive Order (EO) Impact the SAVE Act?

On March 25 an  executive order was issued including provisions that limit access to voting. The provisions of the SAVE Act are included in the executive order; however, this does not mean that the SVE Act is the law.  An executive order does not constitute a law.  The executive order represents another example of executive overreach. That said, both the executive order and the SAVE Act are blatant attempts to undermine voting access.

LWVUS AND LWVAZ file lawsuit against the EO:

A coalition of voting rights organizations filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to challenge President Trump’s unlawful executive order on voting that attempts to seize the power to set voter registration rules from Congress and the states, and doing so in a way that would violate federal law and the Constitution if carried out by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Key provisions of Trump’s order could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly voters of color, women voters, naturalized citizens, voters with disabilities, voters with low incomes, and first-time voters.

The coalition released the following joint statement about the lawsuit, League of Women Voters et. al. v. Trump et. al.:

“The president has no constitutional or statutory authority to unilaterally dictate how elections are run. This executive order is a blatant violation of the separation of powers. Election rules are decided by Congress and the states, and any attempt by the executive branch to override their power violates the Constitution. This order, based on a persistent false and racialized narrative, could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. It mirrors the SAVE Act, which would add unnecessary barriers to voter registration and silence the voices of American citizens. These unlawful attacks on voting rights are part of a broader effort to undermine our democracy. We have filed suit to stop this executive order and to keep it from interfering with eligible voters’ participation in our elections.”

A link to the complaint is here: https://www.aclu.org/documents/complaint-league-of-women-voters-education-fund-v-trump

Urgent Call to Action: Demand Your Members of Congress Attend Town Halls! Turn up the Heat!

The time to act is now! Your Members of Congress (MOCs) need to hear from you — and they need to hear from you directly. Your MOCs are expected to be home and in their communities during the upcoming congressional recesses:

April 12–27

May 27–June 1

As their constituents, you are the reason they are in office, and it’s critical that they hear how their decisions impact you, your family, and your community. In these challenging times, your voice is more powerful than ever. 

Demand that they host or attend town halls that are open to all constituents, not just members of their party! This is your opportunity to speak directly to them at public events, meet-and-greets, or even at their district offices. Don’t let them ignore you—show up and make your voice heard.

Why is this important?
From rising healthcare costs and hunger in our communities to the erosion of our democracy and skyrocketing bills, your MOCs need to take action. But they can’t take action if they don’t know what’s affecting you. Your stories matter. Your concerns matter. They need to know what you are facing, and now is the perfect time to speak out.

What should you ask?
There are countless critical issues impacting your life and your community. Here are just a few that may require urgent attention:

• Healthcare for veterans and their families

• Food insecurity in our communities

• Unchecked access to your personal health and tax information

• Rising grocery bills and inflation

• The security of our country and the future of our democracy, which is in crisis

• The dismantling of protections against corporate abuse and government corruption

• The devastating impacts of the trade war and tariffs

• The future of public education

How to Take Action?

1. Find your representatives – Use the LWV Elected Officials Finder to locate your MOCs’ contact information. 

2. Attend a town hall – Contact their district office to find out if they’re holding any events during the recess. If they are, make sure to attend and ask clear, pointed questions about how they are working for you.

3. If your MOC isn’t holding an event – Demand they do so by:

   • Calling their office or posting on their social media requesting a town hall during the next recess.

   • Going to their district office to deliver a handwritten note or share your story.

   • Posting on their social media, asking them to address the critical issues impacting your community.

We do not expect any more RTS Calls to Action this legislative session. The deadline for committee hearings was March 28, except for Rules and Appropriations. During the coming weeks, dozens of bills will be considered on the floor of each chamber - and possibly amended  - until a final vote. 

Please contact your legislators and/ or the Governor, to speak out on bills the League opposes or supports, so please continue to read our Advocacy and Action Newsletter and follow us on social media. 

VOTE411 2025 - What's on Your Ballot?

VOTE411.org will include candidate information and more for all the races in 2025.
Stay tuned for more information

Special Election

A Special Election will be held in CD7 to replace Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who passed away on March 13, 2025. CD7 includes dozens of communities in part or all of 6 counties, including a few cities in Maricopa and Pima. This article provides a good overview of CD7, including each county and the communities that comprise CD7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona%27s_7th_congressional_district

You can check your district here: http://bit.ly/4iQ4hSF. Please share this information with friends and family who live in CD7.

Candidates filing deadlines

• April 14 - Deadline to file nomination papers and petitions 

• June 5 -  Deadline to file as a write-in candidate for Special Primary Election 

• Aug. 14 - Deadline to file as a write-in candidate for Special General Election  

Key Dates for Voters

Special Primary Election July 15, 2025

• May 31 -  UOCAVA (military and overseas) ballots mailed 

• June 16 - Voter registration deadline

• June 18 - Early ballots mailed and early voting begins

• July 3 -    Last day to request a ballot by mail

• July 8 -    Last day to mail back your ballot (recommended) *

• July 11 -  Last day to vote early in person

• July 15 -  Election day

Special General Election Sept. 23, 2025

• Aug. 9 -   UOCAVA (military and overseas) ballots mailed 

• Aug. 25 -  Voter registration deadline

• Aug. 27 -  Early ballots mailed and early voting begins

• Sept. 12 - Last day to request a ballot by mail

• Sept. 16 - Last day to mail back your ballot (recommended) *

• Sept. 19 - Last day to vote early in person

• Sept. 23 - Election day

Local Jurisdiction Elections

As many of you know, odd-numbered years in Arizona are historically “election-lite.” Most cities and towns hold council/ mayoral elections in general election years. The exceptions are Tucson and Prescott.

Prescott Races

• Mayor 

• City Council - 3 seats 

• 4-year term

Tucson Races 

• Council Wards 3, 5, and 6 - 1 seat each ward

• 4-year term

• Partisan election

Candidates Filing Deadlines

• April 7 -    Deadline to file nomination papers and petitions  

• June 26  - Deadline to file as a write-in candidate 

Key Dates for Voters

Primary Election Aug. 5, 2025

• June 21 - Last day to mail UOCAVA (military and overseas) ballots

• July 7 -    Last day to register to vote

• July 9 -    Early ballots mailed and early voting begins  

• July 25 -  Last day to request early ballot by mail

• July 29  - Last day to mail back your ballot (recommended) *

• Aug. 1 -   Last day to vote early in person

• Aug. 5 -   Election Day

General Election Nov. 4, 2025

• Sept.20 - Last day to mail UOCAVA (military and overseas) ballots

• Oct. 6  -  Last day to register to vote

• Oct. 8 -   Early ballots mailed and early voting begins 

• Oct 24 -   Last day to request early ballot by mail

• Oct.28 -   Last day to mail back your ballot (recommended) *

• Oct.31-    Last day to vote early in person

• Nov. 4-     Election Day

* Ballot must be received by 7 pm on Election Day to be counted

RESOURCES

QUICK LINKS

LWVAZ Event recordings are available on YouTube. 

LWVAZ Public Policy Positions 2023-2025

LWVAZ Advocacy and Action Newsletters

Introduction to Legislative Analysis and the 2025 Legislative Session (League Program)
RTS An Introduction to the 2025 Legislative Session (League Program)

Arizona Law: The Legislative Process (a reader-friendly overview) 

How a Bill Becomes a Law (a detailed visual explanation of the process from Arizona Agenda)

Guide to Getting Public Records. Another great resource from the Arizona Agenda

RTS Manual

BSI Manual

League in Action! Support and Join Our Work