, Here's your May Voter

Democracy is Calling – Be Counted

Thanks to all who attended our annual meeting on April 25. The camaraderie in the room was profound as we celebrated our recent accomplishments and honored member volunteers who contribute to our success.

Those who attended were energized by our Get Out The Vote campaign with the full room standing in support of the work we must now do. The goal is to drive record turnout among informed voters.

All we achieve is powered by our members.

We have ambitious plans for the next six months and ask you to become involved.

Please click on this survey and see where you fit.

Most importantly, become certified to assist with voter registration so you can assist at our county-wide voter drives.

We are all stunned by the unconstitutional district maps passed by the Florida Legislature this week. While we await our next moves from the Florida League, we are reminded that our most powerful tool is our voice. Our vote.

Let’s build on our proud history as we defend democracy, protect the rights of voters, and expand participation.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to engage – this is it!

In League,

Vilia and Rhonda

Near capacity attendance

Voter Services Co-Chair Kathy McEachran was recognized

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members

Elizabeth Arme

Linda Ellis

Catalina King

Lisa Klein

Olivia Lanna

Susan Scott

Sidney Turner

Satana Walsh

If you have allowed your membership to expire,

this is a great time to renew!

Friday, May 15th, 11:30am - 1:30pm

Closed primaries have a significant impact on Florida's elections and nationally as well. Learn how other states manage primaries and what

would need to happen for all voters to vote in Florida.

This program examines:

how primary election rules can restrict voter participation and choice
how reforms can expand participation and strengthen representation

Our Speakers

Vilia Johnson joined the League in 2019 and currently serves as Co-President. She serves on the board of the Digital Democracy Project; a nonpartisan organization equipping voters with the tools to monitor and influence the legislative process.

Special Guest Mike Bennett served in the Florida House of Representatives 2001-2002 and in the Florida Senate from 2002-2012, representing the 21st district, which includes Manatee and North Sarasota County. He then served as the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections from 2012 to 2024, earning a reputation for administering elections widely regarded as free and fair.

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.

Tuesday, May 12th, 2pm Webinar

No Accountability, No Transparency:

Scholarship Granting Organizations under the Federal Voucher Program

Join Public Funds Public Schools for a timely webinar on the expansive role of dangerous and unregulated scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) under the federal school voucher scheme.

With the program projected to funnel tens of billions of federal tax dollars through SGOs to vouchers, this webinar will highlight how these organizations have repeatedly been shown to lack adequate accountability and transparency leading to significant waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds.

The webinar will be moderated by Education Law Center Staff Attorney Katrina Reichert and will feature Carl Davis, Research Director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy; Dr. Sally Butzin, past President of the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee, Florida; and Dr. Alyssa Bowen, Deputy Executive Director & Director of the Equality Project at True North Research

More Info and to Register

Lunch and Conversation

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.

Wednesday, May 13th, 12 - 1:30

First Watch

1395 Main St.

Sarasota, FL 34236

Count Me In!

Wednesday, May 19th, 12 - 1:30

Café Venice

101 Venice Avenue West

Venice, FL 34285

Count Me In!

Join Our Voter Services Team

Voter Services is central to the League’s mission.

Make a real impact in our community! Become a certified* LWVFL Voter Registration Assistance Volunteer! We provide all training, materials, and a tabling partner.

Even if you can only spare a few hours a month, we'd be grateful for your help!

*Certification is obtained by scoring 100% on LWVFL’s online quiz, which consists of 21 questions. All the information you need to pass the quiz is in the LWVFL training guide. And you can take the quiz multiple times!

Contact Barbara Ryder to learn more.

Become a poll worker!

Get an inside look at the election process in Sarasota County while supporting your community and getting paid!

Learn more

Join an Action Team!

Education

Fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 via Zoom.

Team Leader:

Jill Lewis-Spector

Education@lwvsrq.org

Natural Resources

Will resume meeting July 15th at 2:00pm via Zoom.

Team Leader: Ann Hardy

annhardy14@gmail.com

Voter Services

Third Monday of each month at 4pm via Zoom.

Contact Team Leaders: Kathy McEachran

Barbara Ryder

Learn more about our Teams and Committees

Vilia Johnson, LWVSRQ Co-President, and Terri Kondos, LWV Manatee County President, spoke with Renée Gilmore about recent and newly passed Florida

laws that make voting more difficult. Vilia and Terri explained what voters can

do to ensure they are registered in advance of the 2026 mid-term elections.

Watch the Video

April 7th Sarasota County Commission Report

"In a unanimous vote that could set up a major legal showdown, Sarasota County commissioners this week moved to block developers from building large apartment complexes next to rural homes and farmland, rejecting applications amid legal uncertainty over a controversial state law." Read more...

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."