During the 2025 legislative session, LWVAZ will be fully engaged in reviewing key bills and advocating for our priorities. We need your active participation to ensure we have the most substantial possible impact.  Here’s how you can stay informed and take meaningful action:

1. Read Our Weekly Newsletter:
   Commit to reviewing our Advocacy and Action Newsletter each week during the legislative session. It will keep you updated on pressing issues, upcoming votes, and strategic steps you can take.

2. Connect on Social Media:
   Follow LWVAZ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We consistently share timely calls to action, breaking legislative news and valuable insights to help you respond quickly and effectively.

3. Sign Up for Text Alerts:
   Opt into the League in Action tool so we can send you text messages with immediate legislative updates and prompts to engage through the Request to Speak (RTS) system.

We can make our collective voice heard by staying informed, sharing information, and taking action when it matters most. Join us in shaping the legislative landscape and driving meaningful change this session.

The 57th legislative session is two years; the first regular session begins in January 2025, and the second regular session begins in January 2026. 

Mark your calendars for these very important dates:

2025 Legislative  Calendar (dates to be confirmed after the session starts)

Monday, January 13 The 2025 legislative session starts  
Monday, January 27 Last day for Senate introduction of bills 
Monday, February 3  Last day for House introduction of bills 
Friday, February 14 Last day for consideration of bills in the originating chamber 
Sunday, March 16 CROSSOVER DEADLINE
Friday, March 21 Last day for consideration of  bills in the other chamber
Friday, April 11 Last day for consideration of bills in Conference Committees 

*The session is expected to adjourn on April 26, 2025*  

Pre Filing of bills started on November 25, 2024.

Request to Speak (RTS)

RTS is a real-time online system that enables Arizonans to express support or opposition to a legislative bill scheduled for a committee hearing. Share your opinions directly with legislators without traveling to the state Capitol. 

You can take the following actions:

• Indicate “for” or “against” a bill

•  Write a comment explaining your position (optional but could be persuasive)

•  Sign up to speak in person if you wish

Obtaining an RTS account:

You do not have to be a registered AZ voter to use RTS. However, you need to log in to access RTS. If you sign up online, you will not be able to register your opinion on bills. Your login must be activated at the Capitol.  We continue to utilize our league member volunteers to help activate and set up RTS accounts for league members and the public. 

If you wish to activate your current account with a new password, or have a new account created for you please complete this  Google Form.

We are looking for volunteers to go to the Capitol during business hours and register members (and others).  There are kiosks in the House and Senate. It’s an easy process and an invaluable service for those who can’t get to the Capitol.   Instructions and training will be provided.

Please email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com to learn more and volunteer.

RTS Training

• Request to Speak (RTS) Dec 11, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30 PM  

• Request to Speak (RTS) Dec 18, 2024,  Noon - 1:30 PM   

Please  Register in Advance at the LWV of Arizona Website - www.lwvaz.org.  RTS training (Dec 11 & 18)  is open for members and non-members. 

Each year, the LWVAZ Advocacy Committee conducts a statewide survey among league members to identify advocacy and legislative priorities. The Advocacy Committee recommends the following 2025 priorities to the state board based on member input:

Top Priorities:

1. Voting Rights / Election Security

2. Women’s Rights

3. Education

4. Climate (Water)

We will focus our primary efforts on these top four priorities. As always, our capacity to address lower-ranked priorities will depend on available resources, including member engagement, volunteer lobbyist time, intern support, and the prevailing legislative environment.

Additional Priorities (as resources permit):

5. Ranked Choice Voting

6. Healthcare

7. Gun Safety

8. Immigration

9. Criminal Justice Reform

Our advocacy efforts are organized around issue teams that are aligned with our priority areas. Each team works collaboratively, ensuring that no prior experience is necessary. We offer training, mentoring, clear guidance, and written instructions to help you maximize your skills and passions. Whether you’re an experienced policy expert, someone with a strong interest in public issues, or simply eager to learn, you are welcome and encouraged to join. You can successfully transform your unique contributions into meaningful advocacy actions with the right tools and support.

Please email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com to learn more and find your niche.

Legislative Analysis  (LAT) Training: Dec 15, 2024,  Noon  - 2 PM Members only.

Please  Register in Advance at the LWV of Arizona Website - www.lwvaz.org.  

Save the Dates for Legislative Week: Feb. 17- Feb. 21, 2025

Our highly successful and anticipated annual Legislative Week tradition continues, and planning starts now. 

Overview

The state league will host an in-person Legislative Day at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, for members only.  In addition,  four virtual lunch and learn sessions will be offered to members and non-members on Feb. 17, 18, 19, and 21.

Opportunities include, but are not limited to: 

• Planning and administrative support for all events

• Brainstorming topics for lunch and learn

• Suggesting and contacting speakers 

• Moderating and presenting virtual programs

• Providing tech support for Lunch and Learn sessions

• On-site assistance at the Capitol

We need to convene a Planning Team now to help make this week a success. Please volunteer using this link or email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com to volunteer. 

Registration for the Lunch and Learn sessions and the LWVAZ Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol will open in January 2025. In the meantime, please save the following dates:

February 17, 18, 19, and 21 – Lunch and Learn Virtual Sessions, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

February 20 – Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol. Registration and check-in will begin at 9:00 AM. The program will start at 10:00 AM. Depending on the legislative calendar and committee schedules, League members will have the opportunity to meet with legislators to present League priorities and positions. Members can also attend floor sessions of either the House or Senate. Registration will include an option to request a meeting with legislators.

 VOTE411 Wrap-Up for 2024

VOTE411 Wrap-Up for 2024

Kudos to all our league members who contributed to and promoted VOTE411.  It was a truly collaborative effort by dedicated members. Here is a big-picture overview of our actions and impact.

VOTE411 goes for the gold!

VOTE411 won GOLD (first place) in the Anthem Awards  "Human and Civil Rights - Product, Innovation, or Service" category. The Anthem Awards celebrate purpose and mission-driven work worldwide. This win is a testament to our work in our communities each and every election cycle!

VOTE411 IN ARIZONA 

• Races/ candidates (general)

  • 443 races

  • 1007 candidates

  • 314 responded (many more than once to update) = 31% response rate

  • 108 snail mail; 13 returned

• State Ballot Measures (general)

  • 13 propositions (11 legislative referrals; 2 citizens’ initiatives)

• Site Traffic (primaries and general total)

  • 149,209  total users [sessions] = 71% increase over 2022

  • 132,462 new users [unique users]  = 61% increase over 2022

• Total volunteers  

  • > 50 members 

• Contacting candidates  - texting/ calling/ emailing 

  • Approximately 12 times x 12 volunteers 

Our media campaign was diversified, targeted, and geographically broad, consisting of:

• TV ads

  • PBS KAET programs on Horizon.  twenty  30-second spots 

• Print / digital media 

  • Independent News Media 

    • Florence, Glendale, Apache Junction, Queen Creek

    • Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, Litchfield Park & Peoria

    • Fountain Hills, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise & Town of Paradise Valley

    • Scottsdale

  • White Mountain (print and digital)

    • Holbrook, Showlow and White Mountain Area

  • Prescott News Network

    • Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley (print and digital)

  • Wick Communications

    • Cochise County (Sierra Vista Herald Review, Vista Weekly Power Pack)

    • Graham and Green Lee County - Eastern Arizona Courier

    • Santa Cruz County ( Nogales International and Santa  Cruz Pack)

    • Flagstaff (print and digital)

    • Green Valley news (print and digital)

    • Sahuarita Sun

• Radio spots

  • KNAU - Flagstaff

  • KUYI -  Tribal communities