Hot Topics!
Storm Surge, Flooding & Wildfires: Are We Ready?
The Future of Transportation Resiliency in Manatee County
Monday, January 12, 2026
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm via Zoom
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Hurricanes are nothing new to Manatee County — but the 2024 storm surge from Hurricane Helene and the flooding from Hurricane Debby were wake‑up calls. These events exposed just how vulnerable our communities, infrastructure, and daily lives are to extreme weather. And with new developments springing up across the county, the strain on our roads, bridges, and evacuation routes is only growing.
Speakers are:
Nina Venter and Nick Chiavini, of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
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The Right to Vote: Understanding the New Rules
Tuesday, January 13, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Manatee Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Avenue, Bradenton
| | Scott Farrington, MFCEP, CERA, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, will speak about the requirements to vote, highlighting recent legislative changes that impose new timelines and credentials needed. Ask questions about processes and concerns you may have for the upcoming mid-term elections. Learn how to check your registration status and track your ballot. Register to vote, update your registration and/or enroll in Vote-by-Mail onsite. | |
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Coffee and Conversation
Monday, January 19, 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Panera - 11505 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch
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The coffee is casual. We learn more about each other. We could be discussing politics, arts, travel and any number of other topics.
As well as enjoying the company of our League’s bright, interesting and engaged members, we will also have a postcarding activity to remind members to renew in 2026. Join us!
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Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, January 29, 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Panera - 6351 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton
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The coffee is casual. We learn more about each other. We could be discussing politics, arts, travel and any number of other topics.
At this coffee, we will have supplies so you can make signs for the Feb. 14 rally at University Town Center Mall. Join us!
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Monday, January 5, 12:00 pm - Membership / Events Committee Meeting
Click here to join the Membership Committee Meeting.
For more information, email Lyle Landon.
Tuesday, January 6, 5:00 pm - Social Issues Action Team
Join us in person to connect, learn and share ideas for the year ahead.
Location: 6818 Sagebrush Circle, Sarasota, FL 34243.
For more information, email Social Issues Co-Chairs Tina Juillerat
and Nina Tortelli.
Thursday, January 8, 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
Monday, January 12, 12:00 pm - Natural Resources Action Team
See Hot Topics! Event above.
Click Here for More Information & to Sign Up
For more information, email Natural Resources Chair Randy Miller.
Tuesday, January 13, 4:30 pm - The Combined Government Action Team and
the National Popular Vote Action Team.
Click here to register for the Government Action Team meeting.
For more information,
email Government Action Team Co- Chairs Holly Kennedy and Alice Newlon.
For information about National Popular Vote, email Deb Mazzaferro.
Wednesday, January 14, 4:00 pm - LWV-Manatee County (LWV-MC) Board Meeting. All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, Education Issues Action Team
Click here to join the Education Issues Action Team
For more information, email Education Chair Merrie Lynn Parker
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Unite and Rise for Democracy Rally:
We Love Our Country & League
10am to Noon, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
University Town Center Mall
| | | In honor of the 106 anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters, the Manatee and Sarasota Leagues are planning a Unite and Rise rally. The name will probably change, suggestions welcome. If you would like to help in the planning, and help us make this a success, email info@lwvmanatee.org. Save the date and have your friends join in a rally for upholding the Constitution and the rule of law! | | A Road Trip to Uphold Democracy and Fair Elections | | |
In 2010 Florida voters passed the Fair Districts Amendments Act with 63% of the vote. These amendments are part of the Florida Constitution. Even though mid-decade revision of district voting maps (redistricting) violates the Florida constitution, the State of Florida Legislature is considering doing just that. Spurred to action, four LWV Manatee members joined League members from around the State of Florida in Tallahassee to attend the December 4, 2025, Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting meeting to tell our legislators NO!
LWV Manatee members joined those from Sarasota, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties to ride a bus from Tampa to Tallahassee. It was exciting to see the resolve and feel the fellowship of the group. We were also impressed to see that, in addition to LWV Florida members, hundreds of Floridians showed up to speak out against this illegal redistricting. There were far too many of us to fit into the meeting room!
During the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting meeting we learned that legislators are ready to draw a new voting map during the rapidly approaching 2026 Legislative session. Many of us who traveled to participate in this meeting completed speaker forms to make our concerns known. Unfortunately, after the brief meeting, the nine legislators did not take any questions or comments from the audience. Jessica Lowe-Minor, LWV-Florida President however, had prepared personal letters for the Speaker of the House Daniel Perez and other leaders which we hand delivered to their staff en masse! There were so many Florida league members that we spilled out of the office lobbies into the halls. Ms. Lowe-Minor led us in a “role call” so staffers knew just how far across the State we came to be seen and heard. We then split up to hand deliver letters from LWV-FL to all Representatives along with personal letters each had written to our Representatives.
The redistricting battle is not yet over. While we weren’t given a chance to be heard by the committee, we made our presence known. The media saw us. Stories about the event appeared in national, state and local media. Our own league member, Ruth Rauch, was interviewed by a New York Times reporter and quoted in the resultant article. All things considered, our efforts were definitely worthwhile.
Related Articles: New York Times, US News and World Report, Tallahassee Democrat, Villages-News Video News Story: WFLA News Story
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December LWV Manatee Meet & Greet:
A Night to Connect
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The LWV of Manatee County Meet & Greet on December 5, 2025 was a success by every measure — full of energy, connection, and plenty of good conversation. Thirty‑four members and guests filled the room, creating a wonderful buzz from the moment the evening began.
President Ruth Harenchar opened the program with a warm welcome, setting the tone for an engaging night. Chey Heath interviewed Alice Newlon, who shared insights into the League’s origin, mission, and evolution over the years, reminding everyone why the League’s work continues to matter.
Each attendee introduced themselves and shared something they were grateful for, either about Manatee County or the LWV. The icebreaker was a hit, with each sharing positive feelings and appreciation for the League and the County.
The program spotlighted five of our Action Teams: Voter Services, Social Issues, Reproductive Rights, Education, and Government/Gun Violence Prevention. In addition, attendees were able to connect with representatives from Membership, Natural Resources, Health Care, Communications, and National Popular Vote, giving everyone a chance to explore new ways to get involved.
A special thanks goes to Nina Tortelli, whose lovely home provided the perfect setting. The food and drinks were abundant, delicious and almost completely consumed! The best sign of a great event? We kept talking and laughing well past the scheduled 8 p.m. end time.
With such a strong response, we’re excited to continue refining this winning Meet & Greet format in 2026. Many thanks to the planning by the Membership Committee.
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New Supervisor of Elections Website
- Register to Vote
- Check your Registration Status
- Sign up for Vote-by-Mail
- Sign up for Vote-by-Mail tracking
- More!
(941) 741-3823
www.votemanatee.gov
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It's That Time of Year:
Renew or Join!
Joining or renewing your membership with the League of Women Voters is a great way to get involved in your community and play an active role in our democracy. A new auto-renewal feature is now available. Check this option to painlessly renew!
Click here to Join or Renew Your Membership
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| A Bill to Abolish State Funded "Faux Medical Clinics" | | | |
Florida State Rep. Kelly Skidmore of Delray Beach was the guest speaker for the League of Women Voters of Manatee County Reproductive Rights Action Team meeting. Rep. Skidmore is the sponsor of HB 6001, a bill to abolish the nearly $30 million spent each year by the state of Florida to fund “faux medical clinics” designed solely to steer women away from abortion. | | Background: Florida law funds the “Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program,” which in turns outsources “services” to 192 anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers” across the state. These centers are not subject to normal oversight, safety and privacy standards because they are not contracted directly by the State. The LWV supports the rights of women to make their own personal decisions about reproductive health care based on accurate and honest information, not coercion, deceptive ads and disinformation. | | |
Richard Conrath
Nancy Fairchild
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Sarah L. Grote
Terri Holsinger
| | 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. | | | | |
