By Janice Garry
Dear Communications Chair,
In the last week, a journalist with the Independent Florida Alligator interviewed League members for a story on how the LWVAC is getting out the vote, the Gainesville Iguana has accepted a story from me that is chock full of voting information, and the Haile newsletter ran a prominent ad encouraging people to go to the League’s VOTE411.org site for information on ballot issues.
And we are working with Main Street Daily News to have 2,000 League Voter Guide inserts going to drop boxes all over the county. The vision of blanketing our community with information about ballot issues is coming to fruition. Well done to all who contributed!
We have set Oct. 20 as the date for the annual fall luncheon, but we could use help from those who enjoy arranging events: table decorations, set-up, program planning, that sort of thing. Contact us if you can help.
If you have a couple hours or a couple days, we need you! Opportunities are pouring in for tabling at fun events (contact Voter Services), Speakers Bureau presentations (contact Candy) and distributing voter guides (contact me). We have a scant eight weeks until the election. Let’s Get Out the Vote!
In League,
Janice
janice.garry@gmail.com
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General Election Candidate Forum, 9/22 @ 12:30 p.m. | |
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Together with our affiliate LWV student chapter at Santa Fe College (LWVSF) and the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service, we are proud to present a forum for general election candidates on Sept. 22 at 12:30 p.m., at the Lyceum Concert Hall at Santa Fe College.
Candidates for Alachua County Sheriff, State's Attorney, Supervisor of Elections, State Representative districts 10 and 22 and County Commission districts 1 and 3 have been invited to speak and answer questions about important local issues. LWV members composed questions for the candidates.
This event is free to the public and ample parking is available. The forum will be streamed by the Bob Graham Center and the League of Women Voters of Alachua County on their respective YouTube channels. Learn more.
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Fall luncheon set for Oct. 20 | |
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Please mark your calendars for the LWVAC's annual fall luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the UF Hilton Conference Center at 1714 SW 34th St. in Gainesville.
Debbie Chandler, the League of Women Voters of Florida's co-president, will speak on current issues in which the State and local Leagues are engaged. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., lunch is served at 1 p.m. RSVP here.
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Important Election Dates
October
Oct. 7: Deadline to register to vote in the General Election
Oct. 21-Nov. 2: Early Voting for the General Election
Oct. 24, 5 p.m.: Deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the General Election
November
Nov. 5: General Election and High Springs City Election
December
Dec. 3: Waldo City Election
Learn more at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections website.
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Voter Resources
Voting in local, state, and national elections is fundamental to our democracy. Elected leaders make decisions that touch our lives in nearly every aspect: work, health care, energy costs, schools and safety.
LWVAC has rounded up everything you need to be the most informed voter you can be. We've got links to our voter guides, candidate forum recordings, fact-checking sites, and more is being added all of the time. Check it out here. Then check back often and share the link with your friends, family and neighbors.
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VOTE411 Voter Guide available
LWVAC is excited to again offer the nonpartisan election resource VOTE411.org. Launched by the national League of Women Voters Education Fund in 2006, this one-stop online shop for election information has simple, accessible tools to help voters navigate the voting process.
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LWV stances on ballot issues
The LWV does not support any candidate or party. But in some cases, after careful study, we do support or oppose specific issues.
On the proposed amendments to our state constitution, LWVFL recommends the following:
- Amendment 1 — NO
- Amendment 4 — YES
- Amendment 6 — NO
LWVFL has summarized all the amendments and what a yes or no vote on each means. You can find that summary here.
On local issues, LWVAC recommends the following:
Read summaries of the issues by clicking the titles.
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Constitution Week at Santa Fe College
Every new academic year brings the return of Constitution Week at Santa Fe College. The public is invited to events in the college library; plenty of nearby parking is available.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, retired SF professor and LWVAC member Donna Waller will speak at 2 p.m. Her topic: "The Most Dangerous Branch: What the Framers Thought."
Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m., professor Charles Shields presents "Electoral College 2.0: How Modern Reality Diverges from Original Intent."
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Election merchandise orders on hold
League leaders have opted not to make bulk orders of yard signs or name tags at this time in order to better focus time and energy on voter registration efforts.
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Empower our elections
Every voter should be able to have an easy and efficient experience at the polls. There are several ways you can help make that happen, including being a Poll Worker, an Election Poll Monitor, or part of the Voter Concierge Corps. However you decide to get involved, do something today to help ensure our elections are accessible and run as smoothly as possible. Learn more.
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Re-request your Vote by Mail ballot
Don't forget that all Vote by Mail applications expired in December 2022. Now everyone must re-enroll in Vote by Mail every two years. You can sign up for Vote by Mail online. And you can check your registration and Vote by Mail status here.
The deadline to request a Vote by Mail ballot for the general election is 5 p.m. on Oct. 24.
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LWVAC is gearing up for an important and busy election year in 2024. We have created an Action Team focusing on Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. Please contact Janice to get involved.
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Meet & Mobilize Collaborative Initiative
This initiative is a collaborative is made up of nonpartisan community organizations creating meaningful partnerships on education, engagement and empowerment as we enter the 2024 election season. With two successful canvassing activities ahead of the primary election, the plan is to continue with additional engagement activities, including door-knocking, phone banking, and tabling at community events leading up to the general election. If you'd like to get involved, complete the interest form and then sign up for activities here.
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League at the Library needs helpers
League at the Library, a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiative, is tabling once a month for two hours at 10 Alachua County library branches. The program boosts League visibility while we engage with potential voters. We need more volunteers to keep it up until the November election. Can you spare some time? Contact Voter Services.
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Straight story: Countering mis/disinformation | |
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LWVAC VP Gwendolyn Saffo and Speakers Bureau chair Candy Birch and team member Alison Keel gave a presentation on fighting the tide of both misinformation and disinformation at the Matheson Museum on Sept. 7.
Called, "Building Resilience to Mis/Disinformation," the trio had as their backdrop the Smithsonian traveling exhibit "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" exhibit. While Sept. 7 was the last day of the Smithsonian exhibit, the local exhibit, "Voices and Votes: Alachua County" remains on display through early 2025. LWVAC is proud to partner with the Matheson and the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections on these powerful exhibits.
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Election season is always a busy time for the League and this year is no exception. LWVAC volunteers have been canvassing neighborhoods, manning tables at local libraries and tabling at local events like the Freedom Walk and Black Business Expo.
Interested in joining us? Now is a great time! Contact us to get involved today.
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Committee goings-on. Get involved! | |
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Santa Fe Chapter
Linda Mussillo, LWVSF liaison/adviser
Caitlin Holmes, LWVSF chapter president
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LWV Chapter @ Santa Fe College is busy this month. The club has a new president, vice president, treasurer, and soon, a student senator. On Sept. 17, Voter Registration Day, the chapter participates in the college's annual Civic Engagement Day, where we'll work with LWVAC members to register new voters. On Sept. 22, we'll help sponsor the General Election Candidate Forum.
Throughout the month, SF chapter members will register voters at pop-up "Democracy and Donuts" events and share information on ballot amendments including YES on 4.
University of Florida Chapter
Diana Boxer, LWVUF liaison/adviser
Stefanie Gadalean, LWVUF chapter president
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The UF League jumps into a busy season with a focus on voter education and registration assistance on campus. Third-year pre-law student Eden Layman is the group's new communications director. The next meeting is Oct. 9 with Planned Parenthood Generation Action where we will discuss the Yes On 4 campaign. Starting Sept. 17, the chapter will table on campus every week to increase voter registration and reach as many UF students as possible.
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Contact: Gwendolyn Saffo
The committee's next meeting is Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
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Contact: Jay Rosenbek
The Natural Resources Committee has been working to support local government applications for environmentally conscious purchases such as hybrid buses. We wrote letters opposing the state's efforts to put golf courses, pickleball courts and other inappropriate facilities in state parks, and we are giving input for local government Climate Action Plans.
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Oak Hammock
Contact: Mary White
A recording of the Sept. 10 Oak Hammock meeting is now available with two election-related presentations. Lindsay Kallman from Yes on 4 discussed how Amendment 4 would limit government interference in abortions and Donna Waller discussed amendments on the November ballot. Find the recording here.
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Voter Services
Contact: Dillon Boatner
At just under 23% turnout for the August primary, Alachua County voters still outpaced the statewide average of 22.3%. The county's turnout was lower than the nearly 30% who cast ballots in the 2022 August primary, however.
There are many opportunities to help reach voters this month. Email Voter Services, if you would like to help with tabling, neighborhood canvassing or making calls.
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LWV of Alachua County Leadership Team
President: Janice Garry
Vice President: Gwendolyn Saffo
Secretary: Diane Dimperio
Treasurer: Anne D’Amico
A full list of LWV of Alachua County Board Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.
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