THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS A NONPARTISAN, GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT

DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING EVERYONE TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE'RE APPROACHING THE FINISH LINE!


PRESIDENT'S MESSSAGE



Vote By Mail ballots have hit our mailboxes. Haven’t received your vote-by-mail ballot? It’s not too late to request it, but the deadline is Thursday, August 8th at 5 pm.


Early voting starts in just 10 days, on August 10th. As we approach this pivotal primary election, it's important to remember the incredible power each one of us holds. And the important work the League is doing to inform voters with Candidate Forums and Vote411.


Your vote is your voice, and every voice matters. In 2022 August Primary, voter turnout was only 36% in Sarasota County. Can you imagine the impact of a 50-60% primary turnout? Now is the time to encourage neighbors, friends and family to check their voter registration, use Vote411.org to be informed, and cast their ballot.


Share Vote411.org in your social media posts. Become a poll worker. It’s critical that we encourage everyone to use the power of their vote to express their values, hopes, and dreams for a better tomorrow. 


Together, we can create the future we want to see.


In League,


Shawn Bartelt, president

League of Women Voters of Sarasota County

Your Vote is Your Voice

There's Still Time to Request Your Vote-By-Mail Ballot

VOTER EDUCATION

VIEW THE RECORDED

AUGUST ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUMS



HOSPITAL BOARD REPUBLICAN PRIMARY 

 view on YouTube

 SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD FINAL ELECTION 

 view on YouTube

COUNTY COMMISSION REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Districts 1 & 3

CANCELED for more info


SPEAKERS BUREAU

BOOK NOW!


With the November Election less than 100 days away, find out what a vote for or against these six amendments means.

Book a Speaker Today!

LWVSRQ IN THE NEWS

LWVSRQ Advocacy Vice President Vilia Johnson speaks with Renee Gilmore about voting and the proposed changes to our State Constitution which will be on the ballot this November.

Want a public office? Then talk to the public

Bob Mudge July 26, 2024


‘Transparency” is a term on the lips of virtually every candidate for office this year, which makes it puzzling why it’s so common for some of them to avoid talking to editorial boards and the public.


We’ve had difficulty scheduling some candidates for interviews; a few have even declined to meet with us. And the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County recently cancelled a County Commission forum because only one of the four GOP candidates for two seats agreed to participate. read more...

Election Specific Voter Guides

Sarasota County School Board Report Cards

Our dedicated Observer Corps has been monitoring School Board meetings to objectively evaluate them for ethical, legal and professional conduct on the part of the board and chairperson. We share this evaluation with the School Board and the public following each meeting. This is the report from May 7th. You can view all of the previous report cards on our website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LWV Manatee is partnering with NOW for this event. If you wish to join them, bring a friend! If planning to attend please reserve so we know how many postcards and supplies to bring.  For more information email info@lwvmanatee.org.

Let Us Know If You Plan to Attend

LUNCH AND CONVERSATION

A way for our members to catch up on latest League news and get to know one another. Please join us!

For more information contact Vilia Johnson.

NORTH/CENTRAL COUNTY


We're taking a summer break!

SOUTH COUNTY


Lunch and Conversation

Tuesday, August 27th, 12:00 noon

Come at 11:00 to postcard for Amendment 4!

To find out more and/or to register

Click Here

NONE OF THE ABOVE

How Can We Restore Confidence in our Electoral System?

August 28th 7:00-8pm Via Zoom

An analysis of who is most or least likely to vote, and why some voters take the time to go to the polls but leave their ballot unmarked. What can we do to improve voter turnout and increase confidence in our electoral system?


Our speaker, John Scibak , will cover:


  • The history of protest votes (e.g., "None of the Above", third-party votes, abstentions, blank and spoiled ballots) in the United States and other countries.
  • The potential impact of third party candidates and non party affiliated voters on turnout and election results. 
  • How has the shift in U.S. voter demographics changed party affiliation and voting practices over time?
  • Who is most or least likely to vote in the next presidential election and why? 
  • How accurate are polls and do they influence voter turnout?
Register Here

"SAFE AND SECURE"

Learn What Guardrails are in Place for a

Smooth November Election

Thursday, September 12, 2024 5:30-6:30pm

Gelbart Auditorium Selby Library

1331 First Street

Sarasota, FL 34236

Our Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, Ron Turner, will describe the measures his team has put in place to ensure a smooth, safe and secure November Election.


Live-stream available on our Facebook Channel. Register for in person attendence.

Register Here

CHARTING SUCCESS IN SARASOTA COUNTY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2024-2025

Thursday, September 19, 2024, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Gelbart Auditorium, Selby Library

1331 First Street

Sarasota, FL 34236

Superintendent Connor will discuss the significant impact of referendum funding on crucial initiatives dedicated to supporting student academic excellence. He will share how these funds have been strategically utilized to enhance educational programs, improve school infrastructure, and provide essential resources, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.


 

Register Here

EVENTS RECAP

OUR RECORD BREAKING

AUGUST CANDIDATE FORUMS

Kudos to our August Election Candidate Forum Chair Rhonda Peters, Moderator Carol Hartz and their hardworking team! In person attendance, live stream and recorded YouTube views have greatly exceeded previous records. And the feedback we have received from both participating candidates and audiences have been positive. Stay tuned! We will be posting our November General Election Forum Schedule shortly.

VOTER SERVICES IN ACTION

VOTER SERVICES MEETS MONTHLY VIA ZOOM. FIND CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ON OUR WEBSITE. CONTACT KATHY McEACHRAN FOR MORE INFORMATION.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!


WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HAND OUT FLYERS AT FOOD BANKS AND ADDRESS POSTCARDS TO RETURNING CITIZENS. (CERTIFICATION NOT REQUIRED!) YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO BE A MEMBER!

SIGN UP! BRING A FRIEND!

Join Our Team!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

July New Members:


Penelope Gold

Ayleen Howe

Anthony Korzecki

Margaret "Meg" Maguire

Jenna E. Meyer

Michael Nash

Sara Okrent

Katherine Pappas

Jane Traub

Theresa Zona

ACTION TEAM MEETINGS

Education Action Team  

   

Meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday; 5:30-7:00pm EDT

Currently meeting via Zoom

Team Leader: Jill Lewis-Spector

email: Education@lwvsrq.org


You must be a member of the League to participate.


Join LWVSRQ

HealthCare and Reproductive Health Action Team  


Meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday; 10:30am-11:30am

Currently meeting via Zoom

Team Leader: Ruth Brandwein 

email: HealthCare@lwvsrq.org


You must be a member of the League to participate.

Join LWVSRQ

Natural Resources Action Team

Meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday

2:00pm-4pm

No meetings July and August

Location: The Fruitville Library Conference Room and Zoom

Team Leader: Joyce Fitzpatrick

email: joyfitz@verizon.net


You must be a member of the League to participate.


CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!

Join LWVSRQ

Voter Services


Meets monthly on the 1st Thursday; 5:30pm-6:30pm

Currently meeting via Zoom

Team Leader: Kathy McEachran

email: kathmceachran@gmail.com


You must be a member of the League to participate.


Join LWVSRQ

Has Your Membership Expired?

Renew Today!

Questions: contact membership@lwvsrq.org

The LWVSRQ Board meets on the second Tuesday of every month. 

Locations and times may vary.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 13th at 1pm via Zoom.

Contact Shawn Bartelt for more information.


Become a Member!
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EMPOWERING VOTERS.

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.

League of Women Voters of Sarasota County (LWVSRQ)

PO Box 18884, Sarasota, FL 34276-1884

email@lwvsrq.org