THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS A NONPARTISAN, GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT

DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING EVERYONE TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE

WE MUST UNITE TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY!

On April 17, LWV US issued a statement declaring the country to be in a “full-on constitutional crisis” while announcing a nationwide initiative to mobilize voters. The full scope of that campaign will be revealed in early May.

LWV Sarasota is already hard at work. A team of members (including our board) is developing our focus and initiatives to educate, motivate, and engage our community.

Our local chapter has over 350 members. In order to carry out these ambitious plans, we need to recruit leaders and volunteers who recognize the urgency of this moment in our country's history. Just a few hours of your time will make a difference.

Please complete and submit our “Our Democracy Depends on You” questionnaire.

Thank you,

Vilia Johnson and Rhonda Peters

Co-Presidents LWVSRQ

SPEAK OUT!

Tell your senators to oppose the SAVE Act.

The House and Senate introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require citizenship documentation to register to vote even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering. The House has already passed it. But we can still stop it from passing in the Senate!

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. Click here to easily send a message to your senators.

Are you concerned about other actions taken by this administration that violate our laws and constitution?

Call or email all your elected representatives.

Download the 5 Calls App (Check it our here!)

Start following LWVSRQ and LWV on Bluesky!

UPCOMING EVENTS

LUNCH AND CONVERSATION

We will continue to meet throughout the summer in South County. All are welcome to attend. Our next get together will be on Tuesday, May 20th at noon. Please join us!

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION WEBINAR

Dr. Monica Elliott and Dr. Jill Lewis-Spector will review the 2025 Florida legislative session. Monica will be covering voting and reproductive rights legislation. Jill will cover education legislation.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE EVENTS

APRIL HOT TOPICS

Invaluable Insights on Important Issues

Find out What You Missed!

Watch Recording

2025-2026 ANNUAL MEETING

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County presented Barbara Ford-Coates, the longest serving public official in Sarasota County history, with the inaugural "Distinguished Public Service Award".

Our speaker for the Annual meeting was Renée James Gilmore, host of ABC7's Empowering Voices.

Attendees agreed with Renée's sentiment that the current political environment is leaving many people feeling angry and paralyzed. The solution is to do something!Democracy is built on the active participation of its citizens. Every voice matters! Change happens when we engage, organize, and demand that elected officials work for the people, not themselves.

Renée reminisced about her family history of activism and encouraged us all to show up, stay informed and Do Something!. If we do not act, we risk losing the freedoms and rights that define our nation.

We also recognized our outgoing board members, who have contributed so much! Joyce Fitzpatrick, who resurrected our Natural Resources Action Team. Tracy Geannopulos, who served as Treasurer and Vote411 chairperson. Brenda Griffiths, who headed membership and served as secretary and Elena Vizvary, who chaired our Events Committee.

Three League members received "In League" Awards for extraordinary service. The recipients included past president Carol Hartz, Nancy Morrison and Dorothy Murphy. Watch Shawn Bartelt's presentation.

YOUNG ADULT ENGAGEMENT

A DELICIOUS WAY TO LEARN ABOUT

RANKED-CHOICE VOTING!

As part of Suncoast Remake Learning Days, sponsored by The Patterson Foundation, LWVSRQ teamed up with the Suncoast School for Innovative Studies for a deliciously fun family event—Dessert Dash!

Kids and parents ranked their favorite treats using ranked-choice voting, with the winning dessert crowned after reaching 50% +1 of the votes. Alongside the tasty fun, families practiced math skills, effective group decision-making, and even learned some dessert history. The best part... Everyone got to eat the winner!

OBSERVER CORPS

Observing our Government in Action -Preserving Your Right to Know

Sarasota County School Board Report Card April 15, 2025

"Despite a lengthy explanation, commenters still expressed concern about the caseload for school staff providing mental health care and for future funding to Mental Health Service partners in the community."

"The board seemed genuinely interested in going to Tallahassee to advocate for the district’s schools, and we agree this would be a good idea." read more...