Join us, bring friends. If attending please reserve so we know how many postcards and supplies to bring. Reserve at https://forms.gle/bDxvaPPbaMfGpFJW6. For more information go email info@lwvmanatee.org.

Monday , 8/12, 8:30AM - Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting. Click here to join the Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting.

For more information, email Alice Newlon, Co-President

Wednesday, 8/14, 4:00 PM - LWVMC Board Meeting

All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Wednesday, 8/28, 5:00PM Voter Services Action Team Meeting - Click here to register for the Voter Services Team Meeting, email VS Chair Terri Kondos

Next Joint Government and Gun Safety Action Teams Meeting is 9/9. For more information email Government Chair, Ginger McCallum

Next Education Issues Action Team Meeting is 9/17 . For more information email Education Chair, Merrie Lynn Parker.

Next Natural Resources Actions Team Meeting is 9/19 . For more information email Natural Resources Chair, Dawn Hallsten.

Please participate in whatever way you are able in the Clean Water Amendment petition drive.

Next Social Issues Action Team Meeting is 11/18. For more information email info@lwvmanatee.org.

Don't "Vote by Postcard"

Let Candidates Know They Must Earn Your Vote

"I don't know any of these people that are on my ballot!" This, or something similar, is a common call to the League of Women Voters of Manatee County. Most of Manatee Voters do not follow local politics in the newspapers, on blogs/substacks or receive the LWVMC emails with notes from the County Commission and School Board meetings. We have all received the deluge of postcards attacking the candidate's opponent, claiming they are the "real conservative" or they are "tough on developers". One recent "voters guide" used Florida and Manatee GOP logos, but the guide was not associated with either. Unfortunately, many voters believe and vote based on these postcards.

Voters need to see and hear the candidates. The trend, however, is for candidates to not answer voters guide questions and not appear in non-partisan candidate forums. Instead, the candidates rely on their web page, only speaking to an audience that they know is receptive to them and sending postcards. We have even seen some instances where candidates will not even accept the invitation by their own party to speak at a candidate forum. Ray Turner declined the Lakewood Ranch Republican Party County Commission District 5 candidate forum and Robert McCann answered the questions with an empty chair next to him.

Candidates should "earn" your vote. Voters deserve and should demand the candidates be available to explain where they stand on issues and answer the tough questions. If a candidate is not available to the community when they are asking for your vote, it indicates they will likely not be responsive to the voters once they are in office.

Visit the League's Voters Guide, Vote411.org to see your ballot with candidate responses. If one of the candidates has not answered the questions it will be indicated in what would have been the responses.

How to Evaluate a Candidate

The League of Women Voters has two guides to assist voters, a guide for all candidates and a specific guide for school board candidates. Manatee County has prepared a specific guide for Supervisor of Elections, since this position is critical to a well functioning democracy.

“How to Judge a Candidate” by the League of Women Voters. Topics are:

1. Decide what you are looking for in a candidate
2. Find out about the candidates
3. Learn about the candidates’ leadership abilities
4. Learn how other people view the candidate
5. Cut through the rhetoric
6. Evaluate candidates’ use of television
7. Sorting it all out
8. Vote, and Ask your Friends and Family to do the same!

"Voting for School Board Members" by LWV of Florida. Topics are:

1. Knowledge of the District
2. Personal and Leadership Qualities
3. Knowledge of Public Education and Related Issues
4. Fairness and Ability to Represent Many Points of View
5. Transparency

When selecting a supervisor of elections, the following qualities are important: 



1. Knowledge of Election Law: A deep understanding of election statutes. 
2. Management Skills: The ability to conduct public elections, manage staff, and oversee the election process efficiently. The candidate should also have the ability to handle high-pressure situations  
3. Integrity: Maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that elections are credible and acceptable to all stakeholders. 
4. Communication Skills: Effective oral and written communication skills are necessary for interacting with the public, candidates, and other officials. 
5. Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with election equipment, computer systems, and data entry is essential  
6. Nonpartisan: Possess a commitment to fair and transparent elections. 
7. Proactive in community outreach and voter education.  
8. A commitment to continuous learning and adapting to new challenges in the electoral process.  

Terri Kondos, Voter Services Action Chair, presenting at Freedom Village where approximately 60 residents attended in person and it was also broadcast over closed circuit TV.

Supporting Manatee Seniors -

Voter Empowerment 2024

County Seniors at Freedom Village, Water’s Edge, Truewood/Summerfield, and Cypress Springs as well as our neighbors at Aviva in North Sarasota got a timely dose of voter education via a speakers series and voter assistance, offered just as citizens are receiving their Primary Election ballots in the mail.

The Voter Services Action Team and League Volunteers presented “Voter Empowerment 2024,” highlighting the important decisions on this year’s primary ballot, the impacts of recent legislation on how we vote in Florida, how voters can ensure and protect their vote, and then previewing the General Election ballot and the six Constitutional Amendments.

The seniors greatly appreciated that LWVMC volunteers personally assisted residents check their voter registration records, update their addresses, change their party affiliation, request to Vote By Mail, and confirm their polling location.

“Voter Empowerment 2024” will also be presented at Stone River, Holy Cross, Discovery Commons, and Inspired Living between now and Primary Day.

Printed “Primary Voters Guides” delivering primary-focused content from our “Vote411” service were provided at all the locations that opted to have in person presentation and assistance, as well as 4 other senior communities and all Manatee libraries.

The LWVMC Reproductive Rights Actions Team, which consists of both members and advocates for Yes on 4, did two hours of canvasing for Amendment 4 at Braden River, Central, Lakewood Ranch and Palmetto libraries on Saturday July 20. They enjoyed it, as the above picture will attest, and will be canvasing again at Bradenton Market on August 10 and back to the libraries on August 17.

What is the purpose of the canvasing? There are two purposes for the canvasing. First, to build awareness in voters and residents of Amendment 4. A significant number of those that the volunteers spoke to did not know about Amendment 4 and some were even unaware of the near-total abortion ban in Florida.

The second purpose of the canvasing was to get pledge cards where the individual pledges to vote yes on 4 in the November 5 general election. This saves time and money, as these individuals do not need promotional mailings or phone calls. They also can volunteer on the same form. Some of our members are also doing phone canvasing. The purpose is the same.

In future canvasing we will also be distributing information on all the Florida constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot.

If you are interested in joining the Reproductive Rights Action Team, email info@lwvmanatee.org.

Why Primaries are Important

and Protecting Your Vote

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.