With the excitement of the November election in the air, the League of Women Voters is very fortunate to have many new volunteers who have helped register voters and provide critical election material at over 90 events since August. Below, in the words of a few volunteers, are their stories about being a new volunteer.
Eddy Lou Peterson I began volunteering toward the end of August 2024. I wanted to do more to get out the vote. I took the class at the Bexar County Elections office to become a deputy volunteer registrar. When I finished the class, I asked where I should go to volunteer or to register people. The instructor told me to contact the League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area. I did that and I signed up to volunteer as spots came open.
Karen Shebaro and Eddy Lou Peterson
I have enjoyed every event. For me, these events offer the opportunity to go to places that I never would normally go. It also lets me meet many new people and make new connections with other volunteers. Although I have enjoyed every opportunity to register people to vote, my favorite is registering high school students. They are so excited and happy to be involved in this step into adulthood. I am just as excited for them to become civically engaged. Working with the LWVSA is a totally rewarding experience. I am grateful for the welcome I have been given within the group.
Elizabeth San Marco My name is Elizabeth San Marco and I trained to be a VDR this summer after hearing about it from an old friend who is a LWV member. I particularly enjoyed registering voters at the Pearl at a recent Sunday market event associated with the Twig Book Shop. There were many people who expressed their gratitude for our presence there. It was very rewarding because we registered new voters and new Bexar county residents. We reassured many registered voters that their registration was valid. It was great to share information about VOTE411.org and how to access the voter's guide.
Elizabeth San Marco
Bill Dobbs I began volunteering at the end of August. I found the League through my wife, she led me to water. I like all of the LWV events because I learn something new from each one. I was thrilled when I registered my first voter, a policeman who was working security at the Feminist Film Festival. I grew up in South America and am fluent in Spanish.
Susan Rothbauer I retired this summer and one of the things I wanted to do with my newly acquired free time was register Texans to vote. Once I became a VDR, I wasn't sure how to find people who needed to register. My mom showed me the value of the LWV Voters Guide when I voted in my first election in 1980. I was happy to find that the League was helping people register to vote. I have worked at a variety of events and discovered how much the League does, like reaching out to seniors, registering new citizens and sending election reminders. I have learned that the League also shows new voters how to operate a voting machine and educates people about VOTE411.org. I've enjoyed meeting and working with other volunteers trying to do their best to get out the vote!
Frank Huddleston
I have only been volunteering for about 6 weeks with the League. For years, I have used the League's Voters Guide and I have donated to the organization. Recently, I attended the Voter Outreach Training, then I found
opportunities with the League to utilize my VDR status. I really enjoy the interactions with my fellow volunteers. I have especially liked visiting the
senior centers because of the interactions with the volunteers and the
residents. I actually got to help with an address change and a request for a mail-in ballot.