By Janice Garry
Dear Communications Chair,
I hope that each of you has come through Hurricane Milton well. Emotionally, we are reeling from watching three hurricanes in three months cross our region with destructive force. We each have family or friends that have been affected. Leadership that understands and accepts and acts on the human effects on our climate is needed. Our vote is our power. Help get out the vote.
Since June, our League has printed 16,000 copies of Get Out the Vote handouts for distribution at our many events. Of those, 4,000 are our Voting Recommendations, a palm card that lists voting recommendations on the three local issues and the three state amendments. While a couple thousand remain in stock, the majority have been distributed to individual voters and groups.
As I write this, a group of League members is picking up 2,500 copies of our Voter Guide, which is the printed version of information available on our VOTE411.org site. Those copies will be distributed at public places throughout Alachua County. Another 2,000 copies will be inserts in the Main Street Daily News in drop boxes all over Alachua County later this week. League members have worked to register voters. We continue to provide factual information to voters. This is what democracy looks like.
You can still help. Handouts are available on my porch. Help distribute information to family, friends and any groups to which you belong. Person-to-person communication is the most effective. If you know where my home is, go to the porch at your convenience and help yourself. If you need the address, send a message to info@lwv-alachua.org.
Please scroll down for information about our festive Fall Luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 12:30 p.m. It will be SO much fun to enjoy the company of League friends, old and new. Please join us!
In League,
Janice
janice.garry@gmail.com
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While the registration deadline has passed, we are looking forward to seeing those of you who RSVP'd to our annual fall luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the University of Florida 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 that state and local Leagues are involved in. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., lunch is served at 1 p.m. We look forward to League fellowship!
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LWV Recommendations
Despite legal actions on the at-large districts referendum, votes will be counted and certified. The League's recommendation for a "yes" vote stands.
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Click on the image above for a PDF printable version of the LWV recommendations. | |
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.
Just added: Resources for spotting mis/disinformation. Check it out today!
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Voter Guides available
VOTE411.org
Once again, the LWVAC is offering 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.
For more information, please see our guide to using VOTE411.org. Video tutorials are also available for the most common VOTE411.org features. You can find those on our YouTube Channel. More are in the works so check back often.
LWVAC Printed Voter Guide
A printed LWVAC Voter Guide is now available in locations around the community, and it is available for printing on our website.
The voter guide is being distributed to locations around the community. It is available in English, Spanish and Creole.
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Candidate Forum recordings available
LWVAC partnered with the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service and the LWVAC Santa Fe group to hose the General Election Candidate Forum on Sep. 22 on the Santa Fe College campus. A recording is available on our YouTube Channel.
Recordings of other candidate forums and presentations on the 2024 ballot are available in our Voter Toolkit.
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Re-request your Vote by Mail ballot
The deadline for requesting a Vote by Mail ballot in time for the Nov. 5 election is drawing near. You must make your request before 5 p.m. on Oct. 24.
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.
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League at the Library needs tablers
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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Meet & Mobilize Collaborative Initiative
The collaborative is made up of nonpartisan community organizations coming together to create meaningful partnerships for 2024 election season. We come together to work in the community on voter mobilization and engagement activities, including door-knocking, phone banking, and tabling at community events. We must ensure our community has the information needed to vote in the November elections. If you are interested in joining us, complete this interest form and then sign up for canvassing by reviewing the available slots and clicking the button to submit. Sign up for as many slots as you can. Training and supplies are provided.
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Support Yes on 4
The citizen-led ballot initiative, designated on the 2024 ballot as Amendment 4 and titled the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion,” seeks to create a constitutional amendment that would protect Floridians’ freedom to access abortion. Restrictions on reproductive freedom affect everyone, regardless of who they are or their feelings about abortion. LWV supports Yes on 4. The amendment needs 60% of votes on the November ballot to pass. As such, there are weekly and monthly events including postcard writing, phone banking, relational organizing using Reach, canvassing and fundraising activities. Find an event near you and sign up today. Also, share this resource to counter disinformation about this initiative.
LWVAC members Shayna Rich, Alison Keel and Candy Birch will host a Gainesville Reception for the YES on 4 campaign on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6-8 p.m. A flyer for this event is here with the hopes you may be inspired to donate to the YES on 4 campaign, to attend the reception, and to forward to anyone who might be interested in attending in person this evening. Any amount you can contribute is much appreciated.
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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, a non-partisan 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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From tabling at libraries and local events, speaking to local groups (even when hurricanes force them to use Zoom) to door knocking in neighborhoods, LWVAC members have been busy. Now that the voter registration deadline has passed, it is time to get out the vote. Join us! | |
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Santa Fe College chapter
Linda Mussillo, LWVSF liaison/adviser
Gianna Rivera, LWVSF chapter president
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All month, the LWVSF chapter will work to get the word out about early voting at Santa Fe College via tabling and advertising. Members will assist with last-minute address changes or Vote by Mail issues, inform potential voters about ballot initiatives and promote VOTE411 as a research tool. On Oct. 30, the chapter will be at Fall Fest on campus, hosting Voters Bingo with prizes like voting pins and bookmarks. The chapter will also give out snacks for those with early voting stickers.
University of Florida chapter
Diana Boxer, LWVUF liaison/adviser
Stefanie Gadalean, LWVUF chapter president
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UF chapter president Stefanie Gadalean reports a great start to the academic year for the League on campus:
We have had two meetings thus far this semester, and our Oct. 9 meeting was a joint effort with UF’s Planned Parenthood Generation Action to discuss the importance of voting Yes on 4.
We have also been hosting frequent tabling events to assist students in voter registration and outreach with voter education on important ballot initiatives. Thus far we have tabled at UF’s Law School, Turlington Plaza, and at the College of Pharmacy with the Bob Graham Center. As always, it is an honor to be a part of this powerful organization in a historic election year.
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Contact: Gwendolyn Saffo
The committee's next meeting is set for Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Join us via Zoom or contact Gwendolyn to be added to the mailing list.
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Oak Hammock
Contact: Mary White
A meet-and-greet with local candidates at Oak Hammock was carefully planned for Oct. 8, but Milton interfered. The event is now planned for Thursday, Oct. 17. Former Gainesville City Commissioner Susan Bottcher will discuss the Gainesville issues on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The committee's next meeting is Nov. 12.
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Voter Services
Contact: Dillon Boatner
Now that the voter registration deadline has passed, it is time to get out the vote. 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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