September 2026

September brought voter registration, community events, conversations with local officials, a public education gathering, a new relationship with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and representation at Ohio’s Election Protection Summit. The president’s letter connects these efforts through a simple idea: people can participate more readily when they know where to go, whom to ask, and how institutions work.

The annual Commissioners Dinner brought one recurring challenge into focus. Residents may assume every organization with “Ashtabula County” in its name falls under the commissioners’ authority. Clear information about who is responsible for a decision can help people direct their questions and requests effectively. The League can make those pathways easier to find through voter information, public meeting links, local government guides, and community conversations.

The letter also calls for more shared capacity. Longtime volunteers are stepping back from major roles, while the League’s work is growing. Members can contribute through research, events, outreach, technology, administration, community connections, or one recurring task they can sustain. The invitation is to bring a skill, relationship, or curiosity and help build the work together.

Accessible democracy partnership

League representatives met with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities to begin a longer conversation about voting access. Rights and accommodations are most useful when people can locate and understand the information. The partners discussed local accessible voter materials, testing resources with people who use them, improving connections to election officials, and sharing trusted information in community spaces.

The Board of DD’s October Trunk or Treat offered an immediate chance to share VOTE411 and Election Protection information with residents. Members who enjoy talking with people at community events can help make this work more welcoming and accessible.

Election Protection comes home

Vice President Dawn Grimm attended the September 19 Election Protection Summit in Columbus. A $2,200 Election Protection grant supports local outreach, including community tables, voter assistance information, targeted outreach, and volunteer recruitment. Members can share resources through groups they already know, help at events, or learn about trained Election Protection roles.

Need voting help? The nonpartisan voter assistance hotline is 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). See our Election Protection pagefor additional language lines and examples of when to call.

County projects

At the annual Commissioners Dinner, county leaders described a planned Public Safety Center in Jefferson of about 55,000 square feet and 219–220 beds. They said roughly $40 million had been assembled from state, federal, ARPA, and county sources, with construction expected to take several years. The newsletter also reported court consolidation, broadband expansion, water and sewer infrastructure, and plans for a permanent animal shelter with A-Tech. Members raised questions about wind and solar development, possible data center development, recycling, schools, and other county issues. These figures and plans reflect what officials reported at that gathering.

Ashtabula State of the City

League members also attended an August 27 presentation by City Manager Jim Timonere, hosted by Harbor Topky Friends of the Library. He described Main Avenue improvements funded through a $4 million ARPA grant, including façade and sidewalk work for 22 businesses. He discussed citywide recycling expansion, master plan and zoning updates, greenspace, paving, sewer infrastructure, housing on Station Avenue, and major city projects including Shea’s Theater and the Carlisle Building.

The newsletter records these as meeting updates at the time. Readers can follow ongoing decisions through our public meeting calendar.

On September 16, the League gathered at Kent State University at Ashtabula for a Public Education & Democracy watch party and local discussion connected to a statewide program featuring Derek Black’s Schoolhouse Burning. A local handout moved the conversation from national history to Ashtabula County.

What conditions help residents develop the knowledge, relationships, opportunities, and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in local democracy?

The group considered where residents learn how government works, which institutions bring people together across differences, where participation demands insider knowledge or extra resources, and what the community could strengthen for the next generation.

League members shared VOTE411 and voter registration information at Kent State Ashtabula, the Ashtabula and Geneva school back-to-school events, and Harvest in the Harbor. The issue thanks Toni Kohler, Jess Leveto, Janet Grout, Dawn Grimm, Cindy Nagy, Mary Howe, Ann Rapose, Frank Cervas, and Tia Woodard, along with Gallo for arranging a festival location.

Dates featured in the September issue

• September 28: LWV Ohio’s Your Voice | Your Vote | Your Power tour was scheduled to stop outside Stocker Hall at Kent State Ashtabula from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with voter registration and nonpartisan election information.
• September 28: A community screening of Disturbing the Peace and discussion was scheduled at the Ashtabula Public Library from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This was a shared community event, not an LWVAC sponsored program.
• October 1: The Geneva Chamber of Commerce requested League volunteers to help time its candidate forum and review submitted questions. The League was assisting, not sponsoring, the forum.

These dates are retained as part of the September 2026 archive. Check the League events calendar for current opportunities.

The League launched its new .org website as a local civic information hub. The September issue describes a gradual transition from the existing .com site and plans to gather election information, VOTE411, Election Protection, events, public meeting links, League history, and resources about running for office in one place.

Board members continued work toward a planned 501(c)(3) transition. They reviewed organizational records, incorporation steps, bylaws, governance questions, and the compliance work ahead. The League filed its 990-N and began strengthening financial continuity and training. Members were invited to help research and verify sections of a proposed “Know Your Ashtabula County Government” resource organized around what offices and agencies do.

The issue welcomes new members Erin Fenner, Sherry Snitcher, Carol Baker, and Nicole Noscal. It also invites members to take on manageable work: coordinating voter registration, supporting administration, helping with digital communication, connecting community groups, checking civic information, staffing events, and supporting fundraising. A sustainable League has room for many kinds of contributions.

Make a plan and help others vote

VOTE411offers nonpartisan election information to help people prepare their ballot. The issue also encourages residents to serve as poll workers: staffing a polling place helps create a welcoming experience for first-time voters, voters with disabilities, and people who need assistance. Our voter guideconnects readers with current resources.

Pause before sharing election claims

The newsletter encourages readers to check the source and date, read beyond a headline, and compare a claim with trusted sources. When correcting a false claim, share accurate information directly and avoid repeating the misleading message. Report inaccurate election information to the relevant platform or election officials.

Members interested in nonpartisan Election Protection work can help distribute information, place hotline yard signs, attend Board of Elections meetings, or learn about trained roles through Protect the Vote.