Upcoming Events Highlights | |
Early Voting: Oct. 19 - Nov. 1
Election Day: Nov. 3
Visit LeonVotes.gov for more info.
Voter Registration Deadline: Today, Oct. 5, is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election. Visit LeonVotes.gov to register or make updates.
Big Bend Environmental Forum: Today, Oct. 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the LeRoy Collins Main Library. Candidates will answer questions about energy, the environment, and sustainable growth and development. Doors open at 5:15 for candidate meet and greet. Visit the BBEF website.
2nd Thursday Cocktails and Conversations: Thursday, Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m at Casa Grande Midtown (Joann Fabrics plaza across from Whole Foods). Join us for food, fun, and casual conversation about League issues and more.
No Kings Get Out the Vote Rally: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10:00 a.m.-noon. The LWVT and Leagues across the country are participating. Local partners include Indivisible Tallahassee.
November Hot Topic: Watch for details to come about this Hot Topic to be presented via Zoom, after Election Day.
Check out our full calendar here.
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As you may have noticed, I have finally updated my picture from voting in 2024 to voting in 2026. I choose to vote early and to bring my son Felix with me so he can experience the process. In fact, he went the polls three times in August: with me, my husband, and my parents, who live in Jefferson County, FL. I want voting to be a normal and regular part of his life. Now that the Nov. 3 election is almost here, he'll get to go again!
The general election ballot is longer and more complicated than the primary ballot. In addition to candidates, we have three state constitutional amendments to consider, as well as five Leon County Charter amendments, a city/county consolidation straw poll, and two Leon County School Board questions. If you feel overwhelmed, you aren't alone! As always, the LWVT is here to help. Visit our 2026 Election Info page to watch candidate forums, read voter guides, and watch a presentation by Ernie Paine on our local Leon County ballot measures. Along with VOTE411.org, you will have everything you need to be an informed voter for this election.
This election will shape our community, state, and nation's future, so I am asking every Leaguer to speak with their friends, families, and networks about the importance of voting and how to become educated on their ballot. Don't worry about being pushy or annoying— most people are grateful for the information and glad you took the time to share with them. The stakes are too high to be shy!
Make your voting plan, whether it is Vote-by-Mail, Early Voting (recommended!) or voting on Election Day. Historically, turnout is lower during midterm elections, but I am hopeful Leon County will exceed expectations. If we all do our part, it certainly will.
In League,
| | Miriam Tellechea, LWVT Co-President | | VOTE411.org has information on our local races for the Nov. 3 election. Please check it out and share with your networks. | |
Last week, over forty FAMU students attended "Your Vote, Your Voice," an interactive voter education class held in FAMU's Efferson Student Union. LWVT Co-President Miriam Tellechea, FAMU Professor Dr. Bruce Strouble, and LWVT member, FAMU student, and Miss Black Florida USA Zula Oliveira (pictured) discussed voting basics and ballot questions, and led activities related to the upcoming election.
Several students who attended will soon be voting for the first time. Davion Smith with People Power for Florida, a regular League partner, also attended to register new voters and to make registration updates.
Students were very interested in the constitutional and charter amendments, and understood the importance of learning the context and potential impacts of each. They also learned the benefits of voting early, especially because the FAMU Efferson Student Union is an early voting site.
Events like this can only be successful with the help of our partners. I am very grateful to Dr. Strouble, Miss Oliveria, the FAMU Electoral Commission, the Efferson Student Union staff, and People Power for Florida for making it happen.
| Miriam Tellechea , LWVT Co-President | | |
University of Florida Political Science Professor Daniel Smith was the speaker at the LWVT Oct. 1 Hot Topic at the American Legion.
Professor Smith described his recent research finding new voters who move to Florida from other states are overwhelmingly likely to be Republicans, in sharp contrast to earlier years when there was a mixture of new Republicans and Democrats. He also shared information on the impact of recent state laws limiting third-party voting assistance.
Professor Smith was the recipient of the League of Women Voters of Florida's David King Defender of Democracy Award in 2022.
| Natural Resources & Clean Energy Committee | |
Our Saturday, Sep. 19, Lake Henrietta Shoreline Clean Up was a success! We gathered some 16 bags of trash, helping to make the beautiful lake and park a bit more presentable. This activity was organized by our Natural Resources & Clean Energy Committee as part of the International Shoreline Cleanup that takes place every September around the world and inspires a sense of worldwide camaraderie.
Our team included: Pictured (L to R) – Jan McPherson, Claudia Holland, Fred Calder, Patti Sanzone, Lisa Waxman, Jo Deyo; plus not pictured – Heather Brown, Meta Calder, Christine Reilly.
| Meta Calder, Natural Resources & Clean Energy Committee | | Isabella J. Miletic, LWVT Board Member | | |
Welcome New Members! You make our work possible.
Elizabeth Jakubowski
Zula Oliveira
Kelly Otte
Cheryl Parker-Rose
Katrina Rivers
Judy Taps
Susan Watt
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The LWV educates and advocates for our constitutional democracy primarily through membership dues and donations. In other words, we could not do this work without you!
A sincere thank you to the following renewing members for donations to the general fund.
Jessica Lowe-Minor
Cyneetha Strong
Susan Taylor
Dianne Wears
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If you'd like to donate to either our education or general fund, please visit our website and select the large DONATE button in the banner for more information about the funds and how to donate.
And if you are not yet a member, visit the website to join us!
Trish Neely, Membership Chair
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