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Rigged by Design: The Architecture of Voter Suppression By Judi Hayes

On May 13, the League of Women Voters of Orange County and guests heard about how voters may be affected by the recently approved redistricting plan and a voter ID law that goes into effect Jan. 1, plus the ways the Florida Legislature and the governor have approved laws in recent years that have made it harder to make changes to the state Constitution.

 

Moderating the Hot Topics panel was Bill Cowles, retired as Orange County Elections supervisor after 34 years of heading local elections. Panelists were Karen Castor Dentel, who was elected Orange County Supervisor of Elections in 2024; Aubrey Jewett, an internationally recognized expert on American and Florida politics at the University of Central Florida; and Ricardo Negrón-Almodóvar, the Florida Senior Campaign Manager for All Voting is Local, a multistate, nonpartisan voting rights organization.  

 

Castor Dentel talked about the change in vote-by-mail ballot requirements, encouraging everyone to request a mail ballot regardless of whether they plan to vote that way in an abundance of caution. The supervisor is increasing outreach with marketing in English and Spanish. Requests for mail-in ballots are down by one-third from two years ago.

 

Negrón-Almodóvar said voters should support local election officials and participate in public meetings. Keep apprised of the developments in election law, including redistricting and registration. He spoke about early voting and reminded LWVOC members that we can probably vote early at the Winter Park Library next door when the August Hot Topics is held. 

 

Castor Dentel discussed the threat of armed election watchers and said that her main concern was people not voting because they were afraid. She said her staff is well trained to handle any situation. 

 

Jewett talked about the lawsuits, including three to which the League is a party. Identification remains a problematic issue — current legislation would prevent students from using their school IDs but allow for a concealed weapon permit to suffice. Constitutional amendment thresholds are also a hot topic, as well as petition signatures. He opined that the power of initiative is practically dead. 

 

Castor Dentel stressed that her office is prepared and ready to handle whatever curveballs come her way from the Legislature. Another hot topic — gerrymandering — was masterfully handled by Jewett as he broke it down into simple parts for us (as much as possible), including the gerrymandering arms race currently taking place. 

 

Discussing the special session the Legislature may have on property tax amendments, the panelists discussed the upheaval that would result if voters agree to eliminate or severely cut property taxes. 

 

There were lots of calls to action: register to vote, check your voter registration, register for a mail ballot. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Keep an eye on your precinct in case it changes. And VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!! 

Bill Cowles, former SOE Orange County

 

Bill Cowles retired as the Orange County, FL Supervisor of Elections, on January 31, 2024. His career as Supervisor of Elections first started as the Chief Deputy in 1989, for 7 years, and then elected 7 times as the Supervisor of Elections for a total of 34 years of service. During those 34 years, Bill conducted 103 elections, including the first countywide Mail Ballot Election. Bill was responsible for the fifth-largest county elections office in Florida.

 

Among his proudest accomplishments are the Voter Registration Helpline created in 1999 in partnership with local TV news outlets and his legacy project, Adopt-A-Precinct (AAP) beginning in 1998. The Adopt-A-Precinct program is a community partnership that allows organizations to serve their community, fundraise, and participate in the elections process. When he retired, almost 50% of the precincts in Orange County had been “adopted”.

 

Bill was actively involved in election professional associations such as: Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE), served as president; Elections Center, completing the certification program CERA, receiving the “Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the “Elections Hall of Fame”; and the International Association of Government Officials, served as president. He also served several years on the Federal Elections Assistance Commission Board of Advisors.

 

Bill is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Public Administration and currently serves as a member of the UCF School of Public Administration Advisory Board. Bill is proud of his UCF Knights.

 

After graduating from UCF, Bill’s first career was with the Boys Scouts of America where he served for 13 years. Bill is an Eagle Scout and remains involved with scouting as a board member of the Central Florida Council.

 

Now that Bill is retired, he has moved near the beach in Brevard County with his wife Cheryl and beloved mini labradoodle, Gus. His favorite past time is walking on the beach, bicycling, and spending time with his grandsons.

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Karen Castor Dentel, Orange County Elections Supervisor

 

Dr. Karen Castor Dentel was elected Orange County Supervisor of Elections on Nov. 5, 2024. A lifelong Floridian and dedicated public servant, she has spent over 25 years serving Orange County as a public school teacher, state legislator and school board member. 

 

She represented her community in the Florida House of Representatives (2012-2014) and on the Orange County School Board (2018-2024).

 

Born into a family deeply committed to public service, Karen followed in the footsteps of her parents—her mother, a former state Commissioner of Education, and her father, a county court Judge. Her siblings also serve as county court judge and U.S. congressional representative.

 

“Community service is part of my DNA,” Castor Dentel said. “I’m ready to get to work running safe and secure elections, increasing voter participation, and maintaining a nationally recognized elections office.”

 

In addition to her elected roles, Karen has volunteered with organizations like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the Junior League and the League of Women Voters. 

 

She holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Florida.

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Ricardo Negron-Almodovar

Ricardo was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to Orlando in 2015.

 

He has more than 10 years of experience working in the Florida nonprofit sector.

 

He currently serves as the Florida Senior Campaign Manager for All Voting is Local, a multistate, nonpartisan voting rights organization.

 

He is also the co-founder of Del Ambiente, an organization that promotes holistic development of Spanish-speaking LGBTQIA+ communities in Florida.

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Aubrey Jewett, professor and administrator at the University of Central Florida

 

Aubrey Jewett is an internationally recognized expert on American and Florida politics and is currently the associate director and associate professor in the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida.

 

He also served as associate professor and associate chair of the Department of Political Science at UCF.

 

Jewett received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Florida State University and B.A. in Social Science Education from the University of North Florida.

 

Jewett is co-founder of the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government, which has a primary mission of civic education.

 

Jewett is treasurer of the Florida Political Science Association (FPSA), and faculty adviser to UCF’s Mu Theta Chapter, Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society.

 

Jewett has published numerous journal articles, book chapters and scholarly books. He is co-author of “Politics in Florida” (5^th edition, Florida Institute of Government Press and Peppertree Press) and of “Political Rules of the Road” (University Press of America). 

 

Jewett received the Leon Weaver Award for his study of ballot invalidation in Florida during the 2000 presidential election.

 

He was selected and served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow in Washington, D.C.

 

Jewett has won numerous awards for teaching, advising and service excellence and has helped to secure over $1 million in state and federal grants, primarily to promote civic education.

 

There were lots of calls to action: register to vote, check your voter registration, register for a mail ballot. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Keep an eye on your precinct in case it changes. And VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!

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Vote by mail ballot requests are down by 2/3 as they expired on Dec 31, 2024.
Double check your voter status: https://www.voterfocus.com/VoterInformationLookup/voterSearch?county=FL-ORA

REQUEST your VBM ballot here: https://ocfelections.gov/vote-by-mail