How the Florida Legislature Works

Monday, March 3 • 4:30 - 5:45PM

League members will learn the intricacies of the legislative process in Florida and discover the strategies to make their advocacy calls impactful. We will also look at the 5 Calls app used for Federal legislative advocacy.

Members Only. Email info@lwvmanatee.org for Zoom link.

Hot Topics - Discover the Hidden Chemicals in Your Water!

Monday, March 10 • Noon - 1:00PM

Click here for more information and to register for Zoom meeting.

Learn about unseen contaminants that can infiltrate our water supply and the indispensable purification processes, and the chemicals that safeguard our health. 

Florida Gulf Coast Trail - Coming to Manatee County

Thursday, March 20 • 5:00 - 6:00PM

Click here for more information and to register for Zoom meeting.

Hear about the progress of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, areas it will traverse in Manatee County, and why it will create a healthier, safer and connected region. Learn where it will traverse in Manatee County and what impact it may have on our recreation, revitalization and economy.

Youth Education: Making Healthy Informed Choices

Thursday, March 27 • 5:00 - 6:00PM

Click here for more information and to register for Zoom meeting.

With Florida's extreme abortion ban, pregnancy prevention is more important than ever. Hear from Kira-Lynn Ferderber, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida's Outreach Educator and Community Liaison, about how youth obtain the information they need to make healthy informed choices.

Tuesday, March 4, 5:00 pm - Social Issues Action Team Meeting

Click here to join the Social Issues Meeting

For more information, email Social Issues Co-Chairs Tina Juillerat and Nina Tortelli

Monday, March 10, 9:00 am - Membership Committee Meeting

Join the membership meeting to help plan the 2025 LWVMC Annual Meeting on April 26.

Click here to join the Membership Committee Meeting. For more information, email Membership Committee Co-Chair Lyle Landon

Monday, March 10, 4:30 pm - Combined Government and National Popular Vote Action Team Meeting

Click here to Register for the Combined Action Team Meeting

For more information email Government Action Team Chair Holly Kennedy, for National Popular Vote, email Deb Mazzaferro

Wednesday, March 12, 4:00 pm - LWVMC Board Meeting

All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Tuesday, March 18, 4:00 pm - Education Issues Action Team Meeting

Click here to join the Education Meeting. For more information, email Education Chair Merrie Lynn Parker

Thursday, March 20, 5:00 pm - Natural Resources Action Team Meeting

See above description of program "Florida Gulfcoast Trail - Coming to Manatee County". Click here to register for the Natural Resources Meeting

For more information, email Natural Resources Chair Randy Miller

Wednesday, March 26, 5:00 pm - Voter Services Action Team Meeting

Click here to register for the Voter Services Meeting

For more information, email Voter Services Chair Terri Kondos

Thursday, March 27, 5:00 pm - Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting

See above description of program "Youth Education: Making Health Informed Choices". Click here to register for the Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting

For more information, email Nancy Hughes



The Fight for Abortion Rights in Florida Continues

by Nancy Hughes

On February 19, Senate Bill 870 to repeal the 6-week abortion ban was introduced!

Senate Bill 870 is sponsored by Sen. Tracie Davis of Jacksonville and would allow abortions up to the time of viability. A House version of the bill, HB 1139, was filed by Rep. Fentrice Driscall of Hillsborough County on February 26.

On February 27, the League of Women Voters of Manatee County Reproductive Rights Action Team held its monthly Zoom call to learn more about the bill and other reproductive rights legislation that has been introduced for the 2025 Florida legislative session, scheduled to start March 4. Taylor Belyea, Interim Public Affairs Director, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, discussed what citizens can do to affect the passage of legislation and how to research bills.

This year's League of Women Voters of Florida Lobby Days is being held on March 11 and 12 in Tallahassee, and one of the core issues League members will discuss with their elected officials is reproductive health and justice. To participate in Lobby Days, register here.

The next meeting of the Reproductive Rights Action Team will be by Zoom on Thursday, March 27, at 5 pm. The group will be discussing the importance of providing young people with the skills for safe dating and accurate information about their bodies. With the right information and skills, they can make informed and safe decisions on relationships. To register, click here.

Making Voting Count:  Empowerment Through Information at Freedom Village of Bradenton

by Elaine Graham

Vote by Mail (VBM) was once a cornerstone of voting in Florida—until a legislative change upended the process. Voters now must re-register to VBM for every election cycle. This change left many seniors unaware that their previous registrations were no longer valid.

As a newer resident at Freedom Village of Bradenton and member of the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, I started asking around. When I inquired whether neighbors had re-registered under the new law, the response was alarming: “No, I didn’t know I had to.” Most thought they were still covered.

At an early summer 2023 Resident Listening Group meeting, I announced the changes. Immediate questions were asked , revealing the need for a robust voter outreach campaign. That was the beginning of a year-and-a-half journey to ensure every one of our 350 residents who wanted to vote had the tools and knowledge to do so.

Planning for Success: Step by Step

1.       Raising Awareness:

•  Weekly announcements at Resident Listening Group meetings explained the legislative changes and provided critical contact information, including voter websites and my personal contact details.
• Articles in our monthly resident publication offered step-by-step guidance on re-registering for VBM.

2.       One-on-One Support:

• Countless phone calls, emails and in-person conversations ensured even the less tech-savvy residents could navigate the process.
• For those needing help with forms, I set up Lobby Hours, offering paper applications, pre-addressed envelopes and stamps to mail them directly to the Supervisor of Elections (SOE).

3.       Repetition and Reinforcement:

• Recognizing that new residents arrive regularly and that election processes repeat, I revisited these efforts in the summer and fall of 2023 for both the primary and general elections. I emphasized local voting issues, the election calendar and ways to stay engaged in our new community.

4.       Encouraging Participation: 

• With the help of Freedom Village’s Activities staff, we hosted Candidate Forums, providing residents a chance to hear directly from local candidates. The League provided a session about the Amendments to our residents and the “Voters’ Guide in print and on-line. Residents took pride in attending, discussing the issues and wearing their “I Voted” stickers afterward.

Impact That Matters

This focused outreach reconnected many Freedom Village residents with their civic responsibilities. By creating a clear and supportive process, we turned confusion into confidence. Seniors who had felt disconnected became informed and empowered voters.

What I Learned

What began as a two-minute announcement grew into one of the most meaningful projects of my 80 years. The pride of seeing neighbors engaged, wearing their “I Voted” stickers and sharing their renewed interest in the electoral process is unmatched.

As we enter a new election cycle, I’m preparing to repeat the process. I’ll soon remind our residents: Florida law requires a fresh VBM request every general election cycle.

A resident-led plan worked for our community.  It took time, effort, staff support and non-partisan resources from the League to make this happen. Residents helping residents gain information in a non-partisan way will improve voter participation.

Thanks to the unwavering support of the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, our community has stayed connected to its right and responsibility to vote. Together, we’ve proven that an informed electorate matters.

Tallahassee Visits Yield NPV Co-Sponsors

by Deb Mazzaferro

The National Popular Vote (NPV) bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, 65% support the NPV because Americans want popular vote, not the Electoral College to decide who is president. To date, the NPV has been enacted into law by 17 states and DC, totaling 209 electoral votes. To go into effect, an additional 61 electoral votes are needed.

Because the National Popular Vote initiative uses the Electoral College, it does not require a constitutional amendment. When a state passes the NPV into law, it is committing their Electors to the candidate with the most popular votes in all 50 states. It will go into effect when enough states have passed the law to total the 270 Electors needed to elect the president.

Members of Floridians for NPV attended 11 district legislative delegations, visited Tallahassee on February 18 - 19 and are actively recruiting co-sponsors. As a result of these ongoing efforts, 15 Florida legislators co-signed onto the bills so far this year. House Bill 33 was sponsored by Representative Michael Gottlieb, and the corresponding Senate Bill 208 was filed by Senator Geraldine Thompson. Senator Thompson passed away shortly after filing the bill. Our new lead Sponsor is Senator Kristen Arrington.

The League of Women Voters supports this innovation as a means of making our elections fairer. The NPV would ensure that candidates that do not win the popular vote are not elected to office due to flaws in the Electoral College.

Click here to learn about Floridians for NPV. Their subject matter experts are willing to speak to your group by Zoom or in person.

Click here to visit the The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact website

Homelessness in Florida and Manatee County - Changing Laws and Local Responses

Don't let the name fool you. EVERYONE is welcome.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.