This week, on August 26th we celebrate the 103rd anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. The Founders of the League were brave women who fought for their rights and spoke out against injustice. As League members we need to uphold their legacy and continue to promote full participation in our democracy and speak boldly and truthfully to protect the rights of all Americans. Remember women power the vote!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
League Presidents from Sanibel Island, Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties published a joint letter in honor of Women's Equality Day, August 26th.
READ THE LETTER | WHAT IS THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE?
September 6 @ 1-2 pm
No one wants the candidate who loses the popular vote to become President of the United States, and that is entirely possible with the current statewide “winner take all” system. In 2006, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact was introduced. It’s an elegant solution to ensure that the candidate with the most votes in all 50 states wins the presidency. Learn how this works without a constitutional amendment. The LWVFL is offering the opportunity for Floridians for the National Popular vote (as an advocacy group) to do a presentation during the next year, sponsored and promoted by the LWVFL, to “spread the word” and educate League members everywhere in Florida. Suzanne Low, the NPV team leader for LWVCC and District Chair of Floridians for the National Popular Vote will be presenting the first of these, on Zoom on September 6. Register to learn more and join us September 6 from 1-2 PM.
| ANNOUNCING LEAGUE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CLASS 5
Nine talented LWVCC members have accepted invitations to join the League Leadership Program, Class 5:
- Nancy Chism
- Cari Funk
- Cathy Hackney
- Ellen Hannan
- Cath Maslyn
- Paula Schwerin
- Connie Fako Shoemake
- Kate Tardif
- Beth VanDamme
received a welcome letter in June from LWVCC President Diane Preston Moore. They will attend five monthly sessions, led by various members from Class 4, beginning in November. These half-day sessions are designed to increase their understanding of the mission, goals, and policies of the League of Women Voters, the political landscape of Collier County and the state of Florida, and our League’s unique positions and responsibilities in the community | LWV OF COLLIER COUNTY RECEIVES GRANT
The Collier Community Foundation announced that the LWVCC has been granted a $2500 Capacity Building grant as part of a project to better understand how to effectively motivate voters 18-35 years old. After studying voting patterns in the 2020 election, the LWVCC Voter Services Committee noticed a significant drop in voter turnout (from 45% to 30% for 2022 vs 2018) among voters in these age groups. Marketing to younger voters has also changed, and the Communications Team identified that we need some professional help guiding us on ways to address the issues and to effectively use social and digital media to motivate action.
We are delighted to accept the grant, which was approved at the last Board meeting, and look forward to working with a local consulting firm, Wilson Creative, to strategize on the most effective way to turn around these voter turnout figures. A total of $7500 was allocated for the project.
Members who are interested joining this Initiative are requested to contact Stacy Vermylen, 847-609-6016.
| RETURNING CITIZEN POSTCARD WRITING INITIATIVE
The League of Women Voters of Florida is committed to helping Returning Citizens regain the right to vote after completing their sentence. The State League is a founding partner in getting Amendment 4 on the ballot in 2018, which overwhelmingly passed with more than 64% of the Florida Electorate, and the League helped reduce the fees and administrative costs that returning citizens were required to pay. Cecile Scoon, LWVFL Co-President, established a state program to identify and educate returning citizens of their rights and developed training for attorneys to work pro bono for those in need.
Now, the LWVCC needs your help! Our League is assisting LWVFL in mailing postcards to returning citizens with the information they need to be eligible to vote. LWVCC wrote and mailed out over 5,000 cards in the past year with the help from many of you!
We received 2,000 postcards to be written and mailed. LWVCC will provide the postage. If you are interested in helping (or helping again) please contact me at Tina Palmese to receive the instructions, cards, mailing list and postage. You will also need to sign via Docu-sign a confidentiality agreement.
For those of us that have been part of this, it is truly a rewarding experience! |   It is not too late to sign the petitions!
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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September 6 @ 1:00-2:00
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What is the National Popular Vote?
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February 22, 2024
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Celebrate the League
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| ONLINE REIMBURSEMENT FORM IS NOW AVAILABLE
Board members, committee chairs, and others who need to submit reimbursement requests can now do so via our Submit Online Forms page. | UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Because LWVCC committee meetings are for members and their invited guests unless stated otherwise,
members should log in to the website to register
to get the Zoom links for committee meetings and other events. | Board Meeting
September 6 @ 9:30-12:00
Zoom
| Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting
September 6 @ 10:00-12:00
Finemark Bank NOTE CORRECTED LOCATION
| Social Policy Committee Meeting
October 5 @ 10:30-12:00
Moorings Park, Bldg O Social Room
| Education Committee Meeting
October 11 @ 12:00-1:30
North Naples Government Center Meeting Room | Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
October 12 @ 10:00-12:00
North Naples Government Center
| MISSED AN ISSUE OF THE VOTER?
NEED TO CATCH UP ON THE NEWS?
Check out our updated News & Newsletters page, which has all our latest news and links to current and back issues of The Voter and The LWVCC Update.
| Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in Government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. Our goal is to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of Collier County does not support or endorse any candidate or political party.
| League of Women Voters of Collier County
P.O. Box 9883Naples, FL 34101
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