Critical times call for action and advocacy.


While the League neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties, we do take positions on public policy issues. 


On Amendment 3

Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption to $250,000 in the first year and then on a schedule toward full elimination, thereby reducing local revenue that funds critical services and quality of life.


We oppose Amendment 3 because the League believes tax policy should be established through state law, where it can be adjusted as needs and circumstances change, rather than embedded in the Florida Constitution. The League also strongly supports home rule, which preserves local governments' authority to make decisions that best serve their communities.


Op-ed: Why the Sarasota League opposes Amendment 3 

Amendment 3: What Would it Mean for Sarasota County?

Florida Policy Institute: Amendment 3 Impact Fact Sheet


On the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Referendums

We support extending the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and Neighborhood Parklands Program for another 20 years. Our chapter has a long history of promoting responsible stewardship of Sarasota County’s natural resources and believes these programs prioritize what voters care about most: clean water, flood protection, wildlife, natural areas, parks and open spaces.


LTE: Pre­serving Sara­sota’s nat­ural envir­on­ment 

What's on Your Ballot? A Speakers Bureau Presentation


Your Vote, Your Voice

As you prepare to vote, please consider how these amendments and referendums may affect you, your family, and our community.

If you found the included links to be helpful, please share them with your friends and neighbors.


Without the dedication of our volunteers and generous financial support of our donors, we could never have reached so many Sarasota voters during this election year. We can never thank you enough!


In League,

Vilia and Rhonda



Kathy Haugan 

Pamela Hubbell

Eileen Rosenzweig

Maggie Schell

Bonnie Stein



If you have allowed your membership to expire, this is a great time to renew!

"I love helping people understand the importance of voting and getting them to realize that their vote is their voice. We are seeing more and more people who really want to be educated in order to make their vote count."

Melinda Schell, Voter Services Co-Chair


Make a real impact in our community! Become a certified LWVFL Voter Registration Assistant! We provide all training, materials, and a tabling partner. After logging into our website, Start here!


Already a certified LWVFL Voter Registration Assistant? Go to our Volunteering Page to find a slot or slots that work for you!


Contact Barbara Ryder to learn more.

Please download and share the following flyers.

Find additional election resources on our Community Toolkit page.

2026-27 YVote Contest announced by League of Women Voters of Sarasota County for middle school students


Sarasota News Leader

September 24, 2026 by Staff Reports


The contest invites Sarasota County middle school students to create persuasive messages showing young people why voting matters,


The theme reflects the League’s concern about low voter participation among

people ages 18 to 24. “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “ the release points out, “73.6% of voting-age citizens were registered for the 2024 presidential election, while 65.3% voted. People ages 18 to 24 had the lowest participation rate of any age group, at 47.7%.” Read more...


To learn more about the contest and download entry forms go to lwvsrq.org/YVote

Saturday, October 10th 3:00pm - In Person and Livestream

Florida’s Resource Grab

Sponsored by Social Justice Alliance of the Florida Suncoast


Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota

3975 Fruitville Road

Sarasota, Florida 34232


A panel discussion moderated by Alice Herman of Suncoast Searchlight


Keynote Speaker: Jason Garcia

Award winning journalist, podcaster and producer of "Seeking Rents"


Livestream link will be available on October 10th at sjafs.org.


Saturday, October 10th 4:00pm - 6:00pm. In person only

Let Books Be - Protect the Freedom to Read

Sponsored by Local Civil Liberties & Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity


Church of the Trinity MCC

7225 Lockwood Ridge Road

Sarasota, Florida 34243



The state of Florida leads the nation with book bans. Join community leaders as we read and celebrate the banned titles of 2026 as well as hear from a variety of guest speakers from public education, Local Civil Liberties, Inc., and Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity. Registration is not required. Learn more...

Monday, October 26th 4:00pm - 5:00pm via Zoom

Monthly League Update:

Get to Know Your League


This Zoom event is open to all members and is a great opportunity to learn more about our current initiatives and explore ways you can get involved.

Lunch and Conversation

Coffee and Conversation

These LWVSRQ meet-ups are a popular opportunity to catch up on the latest League news and enjoy camaraderie with like-minded folks. They are open to everyone; members and non-members, no matter where you live. Register in advance so we can set up properly!

North County

Wednesday, October 14th

12pm - 1:30pm


First Watch

1395 Main Street

Sarasota, FL 34236



South County

Tuesday, October 20th

12pm - 1:30pm


Cafe Venice

101 West Venice Avenue

Venice, FL 34285



Wednesday, November 11th 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour


Mellow Mushroom

6727 S Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34231


Please join us for this Happy Hour event to celebrate the tremendous work by our members to empower voters for the November election. Bring a friend!


Learn more and register here!

September 15th Sarasota County School Board Report Card

"Board follows and advances a written agenda" received a B.


"The agenda for the Public Hearing on approval of millage rates and a final budget and the regular meeting had attachments that were added only the day before the meeting. Both attachments were critical for public understanding and involved huge amounts of data.

The public cannot be prepared to address items with little time to examine the material." 


Read the full report here.

New North Port Elections Office Opens


Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner announces that a new customer service office in North Port has opened.


The new office located at 14277 S Tamiami Trail in the North Port Village shopping center replaces the elections office’s former location at Biscayne Plaza in North Port. The new office began operation Friday, September 18. The Biscayne Plaza office will continue to serve voters through Friday, October 2. Read more...

 

Join an Action Team!

Education


Fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:00pm via Zoom.

Team Leader:

Jill Lewis-Spector

Natural Resources


Third Wednesday of

each month at 2:00pm

via Zoom.

Team Leader: Ann Hardy


Voter Services


Third Monday of each month at 4pm via Zoom.


Contact Team Leader:

Barbara Ryder

The LWVSRQ Board meets on the second Tuesday of every month. 

Locations and times may vary.

​

The next meeting will be on October 13th at 10:15 am via Zoom


Contact Vilia Johnson for more information.

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EMPOWERING VOTERS.

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.

League of Women Voters of Sarasota County (LWVSRQ)

PO Box 18884, Sarasota, FL 34276-1884

president@lwvsrq.org

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy.