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These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
Thomas Paine
Common Sense (1776)
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As we enter the new year, our focus shifts to the 2026 midterm elections. Historically, voter turnout in midterms is low—and even lower in primary elections. We are determined to buck this trend through a comprehensive Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign.
Empowering voters is multifaceted: helping voters register and renew vote-by-mail requests; providing direct access to candidates so voters can hear their positions in their own words; and rallying all eligible voters to get to the polls.
To achieve this, we hold candidate forums; publish bilingual voter guides (in English and Spanish); research and develop candidate questions for Vote411, our comprehensive online resource for every race; and conduct voter registration events throughout Sarasota.
Our success depends on the dedication of our members.
We invite you to find your role in this effort. Join us on Saturday, January 31st to learn about our upcoming initiatives.
Together we can empower voters and defend democracy.
In League,
Rhonda, rhonda@lwvsrq.org and
Vilia, vilia@lwvsrq.org
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A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members | | | | |
Jennifer Abbott
Chris Sloane
| | Thursday, January 15, 1:15 -2:00pm | |
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Elections Operations Center Tour
All are invited to view the new Supervisor of Elections Operations Center. Find out how this facility will improve operational efficiency and optimize election planning and administration.
If you've considered becoming a poll worker or member of a canvassing board, this is a great opportunity to learn more about what that would entail.
| | | | Friday, January 16, 11:30am - 1:30pm | |
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Access and Affordability:
The Impact of Healthcare Cuts on our Community
Please join us for this luncheon presentation that will shine a light on the local impact of the federal healthcare cuts in terms of access and affordability.
Cuts to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are expected to significantly impact
Sarasota and the rest of Florida by making health insurance unaffordable for millions, leading to higher numbers of uninsured individuals, increasing
strain on hospitals and causing worse health outcomes.
The buffet lunch includes menu items for those with dietary restrictions. Cost is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Reserve now! Space is limited!
Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club, 8801 Stoneybrook Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34238.
| | | | Monday, January 19, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | |
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Walk
Join us for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Walk. The walk begins at Robert L. Taylor Community Center (1845 34th /John Rivers Street), and ends at Dr. MLK Park (2523 Cocoanut Ave.). Register below to let us know you are joining us! Please wear your League of Women Voters t-shirt!
See the full schedule of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events here.
| | | | Saturday, January 31, 10:30am - 12:00pm | |
Where's Your Fit in 2026?
Building on our successful non partisan 2024 “Get Out the Vote” campaign, the League will hit the ground running in 2026. Attend to learn how we are planning to reach, inform and educate all Sarasota County voters ahead of the August local elections.
Prospective Sarasota League members are also invited to this overview of current and future programs. Team leaders will spotlight opportunities for involvement .
Come and meet other members, share your insights and find out which activities speak to you - Find your Fit!
Coffee and light bites will be served.
Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Sarasota, FL 34231
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| | These LWVSRQ meet-ups offer the opportunity to catch up on the latest League news and enjoy camaraderie with like-minded folks. They are open to everyone; members and non-members, no matter where you live in the county. | | | | |
Lunch and Conversation
January 14th at Noon
North and Central County
1395 Main St, Sarasota
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Lunch and Conversation
January 20th at Noon
South County
101 West Venice Ave.
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Mix and Mingle
January 28th at 4pm
North County
1528 Main Street
| | Monday, January 26, 4:00 - 5:00 | |
Monthly League Update: Get to Know Your League
This Zoom event is open to all members and is a great opportunity to learn more about our current initiatives and explore ways you can get involved.
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Join "LEAGUE IN ACTION"!
What is it?
It's a powerful FREE mobile app whose outreach is exponential.
When you share an action alert with your contacts, your contacts are then able to share those alerts with their contacts and so on. It’s a warm, trustworthy networking tool that has far reaching capabilities.
Click the button below to learn more. Join the LIA LWV Sarasota Circle here.
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MARKETING:
Contact: email@lwvsrq.org
Help us develop/implement a marketing plan for a variety of projects ranging from fundraising (the Giving Challenge) to voter education (Vote4111 the online voter guide), to motivating voters to take action (rallies, action alerts). Work with the project leader and committee members to inform an actionable plan.
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RALLY ACTION TEAM MEMBERS:
Contact Liz Barber at Rallies@LWVSRQ.org
Work with our team to organize and present local rallies in support of the U.S. League’s Unite & Rise Campaign. Volunteers are needed for such tasks from helping design signs and banners, to passing out t-shirts and signs at rally events. We are looking for individuals who wish to drive change through on the ground, civic mobilization. Rallies are currently planned for January 19 and February 14.
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Sarasota County Proclamation on 50 years of protecting the Myakka River
Sarasota County recognized organizations that have worked to preserve and protect the Myakka River. Ann Hardy, as the Chair of the Natural Resources Team and as a member of the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council, was there representing the League. The League has a long history of working with the County and the State to provide protections for the Myakka River. The League was an integral partner in facilitating the River's Wild and Scenic designation and in acquiring properties adjacent to the river. Learn more about the Natural Resources Team here.
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Watch the Video of our Holiday Luncheon
Missed our 2025 holiday luncheon? Diane McFarlin,
one of the most respected
and successful media leaders in Florida, addressed "Truth and Trust: The Proliferation of Misinformation." Read her handout.
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We Rallied in Tally to oppose mid-cycle redistricting!
The Florida League of Women Voters mobilized members to rally in Tallahassee on December 4th to coincide with the meeting of the
Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. You can read more about the rally here.
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What You Can Do About Mid-Cycle Redistricting | | | | | | Write a letter using these templates to your state representatives. (Hand written letters get the most attention.) | | Use the Five Calls app to contact your state representatives. (You can download the 5Calls app on your phone.) | | |
November 18th County Commission meeting
Topics of interest included the condition of Hudson Bayou, hazardous boaters off of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido, and changes to the Comprehensive plan for post-disaster redevelopment on Siesta Key.
Read reports here.
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November 18th Sarasota County School Board Report Card
The School Board elected new officers. During public comment periods, members asked the the School Board to take a public position as a board against the Schools of Hope. Most speakers addressed the need for more interaction with the Board
during this time of crisis in public education.
Read notes here.
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Florida Driver License Changes: What to Know
An important message from our Supervisor of Elections regarding how these changes will impact your ability to request a vote-by-mail ballot online.
If you received a new Florida driver license after July 31, 2024 and did not opt to update your voter record at that time, it is strongly recommended that you update your voter record with your new driver license number. Visit the Update Voter Information section of our website for a complete list of options.
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The LWVSRQ Board meets on the first Tuesday of every month.
Locations and times may vary.
The next meeting will be on January 6th at 10:00 am
Gulf Coast Community Foundation Philanthropy Center
1549 State Street Sarasota, FL
Contact Vilia Johnson for more information.
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| Do you enjoy reading the "Sarasota Voter"? | | | | |
EMPOWERING VOTERS.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
League of Women Voters of Sarasota County (LWVSRQ)
PO Box 18884, Sarasota, FL 34276-1884
president@lwvsrq.org
| | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy. | | | | |
