County Commissioner District 1

Candidate Forum

Thurs, July 16 • 5:00 PM

Click Here to Register for the Zoom Candidate Forum

Join the League of Women Voters of Manatee County Candidate Forum for District 1 County Commissioner. Participants are Carol Ann Felts (R), Jen Hamey (NPA) and Glenn Pearson (D).



Please join us for County Commissioner District 1. Candidate Forum. Candidates will answer questions prepared by the Manatee League of Voters and then answer questions from the forum participants.

Wednesday, 7/10, 4:00 PM - LWVMC Board Meeting

All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Monday, 7/15, 5:00PM - Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting. Click here to join the Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting.

For more information, email Alice Newlon, Co-President

Wednesday, 7/24, 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..

The LWVMC Gun Safety and Education Action Teams were concerned that the statute provided a back door for students to carry loaded and unlocked firearms in a safe school zone under certain exceptions. It appeared that, in the case of the proposed revisions drafted by a consultant, a student could carry a loaded gun, be under 18, and still be authorized to 'carry'. 

The LWVMC Gun Safety Team, in co-ordination with the Education Issues Action Team prepared a series of questions about the impact of the revisions for clarification and submitted it to the School Board Members prior to the meeting. Holly Kennedy, the Gun Safety Action Team Chair, attended the workshop carrying the above basket of gun locks, and spoke with school board members and school district staff.

Our letter to the School Board of Manatee County outlining our concerns regarding the revisions and updates to the District's weapons policy had its intended effect! 

It prompted Board members to address some of the topics we raised, and the Board directed its attorney to review the Consultant's proposed new policy to see why they recommended "unloaded" firearms, and rescinded the Districts original policy banning firearms in vehicles on school property. 

Holly was also able to provide 30 gun locks to the school security guard for distribution as well as another dozen, along with Be Smart Literature to school district staff!

Democracy Denied

Florida is a closed primary election state. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective party candidates for an office in a primary election. The exception is when all the candidates for an office have the same party affiliation. Because the winner of the primary election will not face any opposition in the general election, the primary election becomes an open election for all voters. However, Florida law allows the election to be closed to only the voters of the candidates' party if someone files as a write-in candidate.

In Manatee County, the Supervisor of Elections Office and County Appraiser would be open to ALL voters to vote for them in the primary election, except someone has filed as a write-in candidate in each of these races. Only Republicans can vote for candidates in these two primary races so the results of the primary will determine the winner. Democrats, no party affiliates and minor party voters will have no say in who represents them.

In Manatee County 53% of voters are either independents or Democrats, and they will be prevented from voting in both these closed primary races due to the write-in candidate. Historically write-in candidates only motivation is to close the primary.

Under closed primaries, primary elections are only open to voters who are members of a party. In Florida, closed primaries prevent 3.8 million independent voters from participating in the primary process.

Independent voters pay taxes that fund the elections, but they cannot vote. In the recent primaries, 27 million independent U.S. voters were disallowed their constitutional right to vote by partisan primaries. That is voter suppression.

The League of Women Voters of Florida supports open primaries.

Abolishing partisan primaries offers benefits:

• Increased voter participation. All voters vote and voters are more motivated to participate.
• Elections are decided by a majority of voters. 
• A reduction in extreme partisanship and polarization. 
• In this polarized political climate, moderate incumbents can be representative and responsive with less fear of losing in the primary.

Florida is one of only 14 states that still has closed primaries. It’s time to correct that and let all voters vote.

Know the Difference! Election Related Work/Volunteering

Poll Worker:

• Paid by county Supervisor Of Elections (SOE) to work directly with county SOE team to administer fair and safe elections
• Work inside polling location for early voting days or Election Day (primary and/or general), many different roles
• For more information or to Apply see Manatee County Supervisor of Elections online
• *SOE must attempt to balance Democrats, Republicans and Independents in their workforce

Poll Watcher:

• Present inside the polling place to observe and determine if any violations of election laws occur
• Have no authority to interfere with voting or interact with voters
• One poll watcher allowed per polling place for each candidate, and one for each political party/political committee
• Apply through your political party

Poll Monitor:

• Present outside the 150 ft “no solicitation” zone to identify issues at the polls, answer voters’ questions, and connect those who are denied a ballot to legal resources.
• Organized by Election Protection Coalition – nonpartisan
• Stay tuned for announcement on training, which will be several weeks before the August 20 primary election.

National Popular Vote Documentary

The film pulls the curtain back on the Electoral College –– exploring the unique and opaque system by which America elects its highest official –– through the eyes of four dynamic electors from different parties (a Republican, a Democrat, a Green Party, and a Kanye West elector) whose motivations range from the noble to the absurd. Click Here to Watch the Video

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.