THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS A NONPARTISAN, GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT

DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING EVERYONE TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.


PRESIDENT'S MESSSAGE


Congratulations to the winning candidates in the August Primary. Thank you to everyone who cared enough about our community to throw their hat in the ring!


The Sarasota League had an impact on the Primary voter turnout!


New voter suppression laws were designed to make it more difficult to Vote-by-Mail (VBM) and to impede organizations such as the League from registering voters.  To counter this, we launched our first comprehensive media campaign "Your Vote is Your Voice," along with forums, speakers and voter registration drives. While the August Primary voter turnout and VBM ballots cast were down significantly statewide, Sarasota County far exceeded the State average on both.


Sarasota County voter turnout held steady versus 2022, exceeding the state average by over 50%. Vote-by-Mail ballots were down 40% statewide. At a 24% drop, Sarasota tied Lee County for the lowest drop in the state.


LESSON LEARNED: 

People who are concerned, and educated on the issues, show up to vote! 


The attendance at our Sarasota Memorial Hospital panel discussion and voter forums, along with the interest in our School Board report cards, were well beyond expectations. We had record-breaking attendance and YouTube views of our Primary candidate forums, swelling to over 1200. We engaged the press with event information, OpEds, and Vilia Johnson's interview on "Empowering Voices" (WWSB ABC7).  Our newsletter now reaches over 1000 subscribers with a 69% open rate.


Taking this election turnout lesson to heart, we will move forward into the General Election by continuing to inform and empower voters. Our election plan includes:


Encouraging residents to register and reapply for their VBM ballot.

Providing educational events and forums.

Engaging with the press on key issues and events.

Publishing vote411.org and Voter Guides.

Emailing and posting key event reminders so you won’t miss a thing!


And to start us off, read on, and see what we have in store for you!


In League,


Shawn Bartelt, president

League of Women Voters of Sarasota County

Your Vote is Your Voice

Voting Questions?

VOTER EDUCATION

NOVEMBER ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUM SCHEDULE


NORTH PORT CITY COMMISSION

Monday, September 23rd - 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Shannon Staub Library 4675 Career Lane

North Port, Florida 34289

Learn more/Register Submit questions Live Stream


SARASOTA HOSPITAL BOARD

Wednesday, October 2nd - 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Venice Community Center 329 Nokomis Ave. S.

Venice, Florida 34238

Learn more/Register Submit questions Live Stream


SARASOTA COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

Monday, October 7th - 5:30pm to 6:30pm via YouTube

Learn more/Register Submit questions Live Stream


SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 3

Thursday, October 10th - 5:30pm to 6:30pm via You

Learn more/Register Submit questions Live Stream


Hospital Board Election Voter Guides

CLICK ON SPANISH OR ENGLISH VERSION TO READ

SPEAKERS BUREAU

BOOK NOW!


With the November Election only 67 days away, find out what a vote for or against these six amendments means.

Book a Speaker Today!

ADVOCACY

League Positions on Millage Referendum

and Amendments 1 and 4

CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO READ

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO READ TRI-FOLD

UPCOMING EVENTS

SIX AMENDMENTS ARE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER...CONFUSED?

"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe"

Should I answer Yes or No?

Wednesday, September 04, 2024

6:00 PM until 7:00 PM via Zoom

Our Voter Services members will unpack the six amendments on the November ballot. They will discuss each amendment, and explain what it means if it passes or fails.

Register Here

PERFORMANCES ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 7:30PM

AND SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH AT 2:00PM

1012 North Orange Ave. Sarasota, FL 34235


This theatrical masterpiece takes audiences on an emotional journey through Fannie Lou Hamer’s remarkable life—from her humble beginnings as a sharecropper in Mississippi to her pivotal role in the fight for voting rights during the 1960s. Themes of resilience, courage, community empowerment, and intersectionality are vividly portrayed, leaving audiences transformed and inspired. Read more...


Sunday's performance includes a panel discussion with Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, Ron Turner, candidates from various parties and Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye. Renee James Gilmore, Executive Producer at ABC7, WWSB will facilitate the panel discussion.


LWVSRQ will provide Voter Registration tables at both events.


Due to the mature topic and descriptions of violence, this program is recommended for individuals 13 years of age and up.

Reserve Your Seats Now

"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

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'll resume in November!

SOUTH COUNTY


Lunch and Conversation

Tuesday, September 24th, 12:00 noon


To find out more and/or to register

Click Here

Charter Review Board Election Overview

Wednesday, September 25th, 6pm - 7pm via Zoom

Sarasota is one of only 20 Florida counties that have the home rule powers of a charter county and the only one with a board elected by voters. Two members are elected (countywide) from each of the county’s five districts to serve, without pay in staggered four-year terms. Cathy Antunes, WSLR podcaster and local government guru will fill you in on why your vote matters in this local race.



Register Here

Saturday, October 26, 2024, 10:00 AM -12:00 PM 

Ringling College of Art and Design

2700 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34234


Gamma Xi Boulé presents a team of distinguished medical experts who will discuss reproductive health care policies and the impact the upcoming Hospital Board Election will have on our community. For more information and to register click here.



VOTER SERVICES IN ACTION

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

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

Join Our Team!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

August New Members:


Sharon A. Andrews

Mary P. Aust

Sherman Baldwin

Deborah A. Bellas

Beverly Brinson

Richard Brinson

Elana Carnes

Carol Fink

Jeffrey Kraus

Rachel Levey-Baker

Lori-Nan Mihaley

Jenny Paik

John Scibak

Kaylin Soto

Nao Teshima





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

September meeting canceled!

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, September 10th at 1pm via Zoom.

Contact Shawn Bartelt for more information.


Donate!
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