Watch Diana Wynn's Inspiring "State of the League" Annual Message | | "Every challenge we face underscores why our work matters". | | | | |
Calling All Members!
Annual Business & Planning Meeting
The midterm elections are fast approaching, and as history has shown us, the work we do in the months leading up to the primaries may well define the outcome.
Please join us on Saturday, April 25th as we map out our ground game for voter registration, education, mobilization and protection.
It is time to roll up our sleeves and do what the League does best: empower voters and defend democracy. The impact we have on our community will be determined by the energy of our members.
Two weeks prior to our meeting, all members in good standing will receive and are asked to review the nominating committee's report, last year's annual meeting minutes and our 2026-2027 proposed budget. Please be prepared to vote on these at this meeting.
This event will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members, recognize outstanding volunteers and celebrate our accomplishments over the past year.
In League,
Rhonda, rhonda@lwvsrq.org and
Vilia, vilia@lwvsrq.org
| | | FOR 106 YEARS, ENSURING VOTERS HAVE A VOICE | | The fight for women's suffrage did not end with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Through the support of donors like you, the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County informs voters of recent changes to election law that could interfere with their ability to vote. | | A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members | | |
Wendy Abramson
Carol Bebb
Hilda Canes Garduno
Kara Ebert
Alexandra Hope
Isabella La Fuente Amaya
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Janet Lemoine
Cheryl Markman
Elizabeth Rivera
Nancy Cooper Robb
Adrea Sukin
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If you have allowed your membership to expire,
this is a great time to renew!
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USE FIVE CALLS TO CALL YOUR SENATORS!
Congress continues to introduce bills that would require voters to present documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register and/or vote. Americans do not need MORE obstacles to vote. The SAVE Act would create one more barrier to the voting process, as many eligible voters do not have easy access to the necessary documents. Tell your senators to oppose the SAVE Act.
| | Wednesday, March 4th, 5:45 - 7:00pm | | Sarasota County district schools continue to confront new challenges. Our panel of experts will focus on several issues: separation of church and state, vouchers, Schools of Hope, the student experience and parental engagement. Q&A will follow. | | Friday, March 20th, 11:30am - 1:30pm | | |
Water Stewardship: Managing our Most Precious Resource
Friday, March 20th, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club
8801 Stoneybrook Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34238
Join us for lunch and this informative program.
Local educators and environmental experts and activists Julie Morris and Jono Miller are involved in research and deliberations involving local freshwater wetlands, our Wild and Scenic Myakka River, Midnight Pass, tidal creeks, and the bay.
Learn how protecting "our most precious" resource has become ever more challenging given the exponential growth and development of our county.
The buffet lunch includes menu items for those with dietary restrictions.
Cost is $35 for members and $40 for non-members.
| | Monday, March 23rd is the Entry Deadline! | | |
Empowering the Next Generation: Should the Voting Age Be Lowered?
The theme of this year’s contest challenges students to write a compelling essay or create 2D Artwork for or against lowering the voting age.
Please spread the word!
All students in Sarasota County’s public charter and district public high schools are eligible to enter, regardless of whether they are able to register to vote. Students will work independently on their entries, and the contest is not part of classroom activities or assignments.
The winner in each category will receive $500; the second place winners will receive $300 and the third place winners will receive $200. Winners will be announced by mid April.
| | Saturday, March 28, 10am - 12pm | |
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LWVUS Joins No Kings Rallies
What began in 2025 as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to tyranny, spreading from small towns to city centers and across every community determined to defend democracy. Our peaceful movement is bigger than ever. The League of Women Voters is a national partner organization.
Click buttons below for more information.
| | | | Wednesday, March 11 at Noon | |
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Lunch and Conversation
First Watch
1395 Main St, Sarasota, FL
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.
| | | | Monday, March 23, 4:00 - 5:00 | |
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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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Volunteer at the Sarasota County Fair!
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help staff our environmental and voter‑outreach booth during the Sarasota County Fair, March 13th–22nd.
Four environmental groups—LWV, Sierra Club, Third Act, and the UU Church Green Team—will rotate through the booth, all sharing voter‑education materials while showcasing their own environmental messages. Each group is signed up for 2.5 days --not necessarily consecutive, with volunteers working 3–5 hour shifts alongside a partner so we can break for a funnel cake!
A one‑time online training session will take place in late February.
If you’re interested, please contact Joyce Fitzpatrick - joyfitz@verizon.net - so we can get you on the volunteer lineup and schedule training.
| | | | Join the Suncoast Remake Learning Days Team! | |
Volunteers needed on April 18th
Launched in 2010, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading focuses on five pillars to address this: School Readiness, Attendance, Summer Learning, Family Engagement, and Health Determinants.
Our Young Adult Engagement team is once again participating in one of this organization's key programs, Suncoast Remake Learning Days. Our team has created a delicious way for both children and parents to learn about ranked choice voting.
| | | | 106 Years of Defending Democracy Rally | | |
"...there was such a feeling of joy and camaraderie."
-Rally Participant Diane D
| | We had a great turnout for our joint rally with the Manatee County League of Women Voters. Our message resonated, as evidenced by the many motorists who honked and waved, | |
Sarasota County Commission Observer Report
At the February 10th Sarasota County Commission Meeting citizens continued to express concerns about the Manasota Beach Road Extension and Phillippi Creek dredging.
| | | Important Updates from the Supervisor or Elections | |
2026 Precinct and Polling Changes
In the first of a series of informational videos, Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner explains the changes to Sarasota County precincts and polling places ahead of the 2026 Primary and General Elections.
| | | | Get an inside look at the election process in Sarasota County while supporting your community and getting paid! | |
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's 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 second Tuesday of every month.
Locations and times may vary.
The next meeting will be on March 10th at 10:15 am
Gulf Gate Library
7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231
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. | | | | |
