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Date: 8/1/2024
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins


Maybe you're prepared for election season but are your friends, family and colleagues?  SHARE this newsletter and encourage everyone to be #VoteReady for the upcoming AUG 20 primary and the NOV 5 election.  Here's the helpful links voters need:
 
VOTE411.org a one-stop-shop for election information
 
OCFElections.gov Official Orange County, FL SOE site
 
View our candidate forums on our YouTube Channel:
 
Attend the upcoming candidate event:
 
Catch up on ALL our news by reading our Newsletters and visit-follow-share our social media feeds by clicking on the icons at the top right of this newsletter.
 
Join Now if you're not a member. Students are free! If you're restricted with time or energy (we feel ya) then consider a gift and Donate  Your financial $upport builds the foundation for successfully empowering voters and defending democracy.
 
 
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The DEIA Committee honors the 34th anniversary of the passage of the ADA
On July 26, 2024, the DEIA and Voter Services Committees joined the Center for Independent Living in a celebration of the 34th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). League members in attendance above L-R: LWVOC President Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Alicia Homrich, Marilyn Baldwin, & Virginia Meany.
Shown right: League member and DEIA Committee Co-Chair Marilyn Baldwin gets a demonstration of the ExpressVote accessible voting machine from Sederia Ogden of the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Read the full article HERE by Ann Patton and the blog Voting with a Disability
 
 
LWVOC presented at the International Women's Council Conference at the Rosen Center on Wednesday July 24th at the workshop: Lest we forget: Empowering ALL People of Color to be Modern day Suffragettes. Shown L-R are League member Grace Lias; Dr. Shirley Stewart, IWC Parliamentarian; League member Adrienne Katz Katz; Annejanet Harpe, Vice-President IWC Social Justice; and League member Mary Montanus. Our presentation was requested by IWC's Social Justice group.
 
Dr. Stewart spoke on Black Women's Suffrage. LWVOC presented information on the League and DEIA Today, The League in Action, Why Your Vote Matters, the League and Recent Legislation, and League Outreach to Communities and Area Churches.
The LWVOC Voter Services team attended a recent voter registration event with the Orange County Elections office to register are football players.
 
Besides the Orange County representatives, attendees included Orlando District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose (middle in red) and Leaguer Kitty Woodley (far right)
 
Of note for those of you looking to counsel young voters, "registrants must be at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to register and vote."
 
Enjoy hearing from Leaguer Melva B. Ross about her experience helping a young voter preregister by watching her story HERE.
 
 
BE VOTE READY
Early Voting Locations will be open from August 5, 2024, through August 18, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily.

Secure Ballot Intake stations will be available outside of ALL locations during early voting hours.
 
Don't forget your Photo ID with signature.
 
Visit ocfelections.gov/early-voting for locations.
AUG 8 is the last day to request a VBM (Vote-by-Mail) ballot for Aug 20 Primary Click HERE to request a ballot.

Your vote-by-mail ballot will not count if the signature on the return envelope does not match the signature on file. Signatures often change due to age, injury, or illness.

To update your signature, complete a Florida Voter Registration Application (English PDF, Division of Elections Website).
Download a Florida Voter Registration Application (Spanish PDF, Division of Elections Website)

If you have questions, contact the Supervisor of Elections office: (407) 836-8683
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug 3, Sat, 10am-2pm
Gun Violence Prevention Comm. Smart Lock Giveaway
Location: Union Middle School, 1844 W. Fall Drive 
--Also on
 Aug 10, Sat, 10am-2pm
4801 W Colonial Drive
Aug 6, Tues, 7-8:15pm
Dist. 5 Candidate Forum, Orange County Commissioners 
Location: Westminster WP, 1111 S. Lakemont Ave, Winter Park
Doors open at 6:30pm and a full house is expected.  Plan accordingly for parking.  Masks encouraged.
HOT TOPICS SELL-OUT POTENTIAL IS HIGH!

Register for AUG 14 Hot Topics

Ugly rhetoric is already being flung around this election season...and we don't even have a full presidential ticket yet! There is another way. Join us for the Aug. 14 Hot Topics discussion, “Civil Discourse — Not Civil War.”

 
The moderator is Teresa Jacobs, chair of the Orange County Public School Board. Panelists include former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who served Florida’s 7th congressional district for six years; Dick Batchelor, political consultant and author of Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times; Dr. Joel Hunter, chair of The Pledge of Central Florida campaign; and Dr. Haley Winston, director of the UCF offices of Civil Discourse and Engagement and Public Policy Events within the Ginsburg Center for Inclusion and Community Engagement. Extended biographies are available on the Hot Topics webpage.
 
Read the full press release HERE. More than 2/3 of our available spaces have been filled; we know it's going to be another highly attended event, especially with the esteemed panel that we have invited.  Don't delay!  Members, sign into our system first to receive your discount and if you haven't joined yet but want a discount, do that first HERE and then reserve your spot for the Aug 14 Hot Topics!  Everyone welcome!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Special Alert!  The Voter Services team is fielding multiple requests for Leaguers to "table" at community events with voting information and they invite all members to join their efforts!
 
To register voters, members must pass the certification test and then they can volunteer at events. Certification training and testing information can be found on the Voter Services Committee page CLICK HERE
 
New Voter Services members will be partnered with experienced members at tabling events and community activities to learn how to engage citizens as well as become familiar with the various policies and procedures we must follow. Click on the committee link above or reach out to our Co-Chairs if you'd like to learn more:  Kathy Sheerin or Gina Hall 
SIGN UP HERE!  Members, be sure you're logged into the system and visit our site page for ALL the available openings.
ADOPT-A-PRECINCT
QUICK FACT:  Between spring 2020 and June 2024, our 220+ precinct volunteers have clocked in 4400+ hours.  By volunteering that work, our volunteers have raised $55k+ for LWVOC!   A round of applause, please, for these phenomenal volunteers as well as the teams who feed them.  Use the information below to join their efforts!
You're doing great!  Just 5 more spots to fill! Adopt-a-Precinct League volunteers spend LONG hours staffing precincts on election day and it's not convenient for them to dash out to grab food.  Instead, we have another team (hopefully, you'll be a member of it) that brings in snacks, drinks, and meals for them.  Here's the precincts that we're staffing on AUG 20.  Sign up today:
Feed Our Precincts-#202   *1 spot open
Contact Anne Coppenhaver
ccoppenhaver@me.com if you have questions.
Sara Van Arsdel
Bob Gordon
Mary Louise Shafer – Carrie Chapman Catt Member
Vesta Hetherington
Amie Tishkoff
Cailey Cassity-Ness
Steve Siegfried
Gabriella Siegfried
Sierra Davila
Sugeilee Martinez Mercedes
Laura Bornfreund
Pamela Sherry
Renita Smith – Ida B. Wells Member
Caroline Coleman – Ida B. Wells Member
Alfred Roger Blauvelt
Heidi Zissman
 
Share this newsletter and invite your family and social circles to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Orange County!
Thank you to our renewing HOT TOPICS sponsors including:
 
Visionary Sponsor--Jennifer and Phil Anderson
 
Silver Sponsor--Lyn and David Berelsman
 
Silver Sponsor--"Voting Voices" team: Michele Levy, Laurie & Rick Wack, Charley Williams
 
and our new 
 
Bronze Sponsor--Alex and the Hon. Cynthia Mackinnon
 
 
Visit our Donor page to see the many different ways you can support the League of Women Voters of Orange County.

Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community.

To further explore how becoming a Hot Topics Sponsor can align with your business goals, please contact LWVOC Vice President, Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE

A range of sponsorship levels are available.

Why Give?  Your financial support fuels our mission to educate, empower, and advocate for informed and active voters. As we strive to build a democracy that works for everyone, your donation becomes a catalyst for positive change. Your gift supports:

Voter Empowerment: We are dedicated to providing unbiased and comprehensive information to voters. Your donation bolsters information and education initiatives, allowing voters to make more informed choices at the ballot box.

Civic Engagement Programs: Our community outreach and educational programs encourage active participation in civic life. Your support helps organize events and community forums that foster dialogue and engagement among community members.

Advocating for Democracy: The League of Women Voters of Orange County is a relentless advocate for policies that enhance democracy and protect the rights of all citizens. Your gift adds your voice as an advocate for positive change.

Accessible Elections: We work tirelessly to ensure that elections are accessible to all citizens. Your gift helps eliminate barriers to voting and promotes fair and inclusive elections.

 Ways You Can Make a Difference

One-Time Gift: A single gift has a significant impact on our programs and initiatives.

Sustaining Gift: Join our community of sustaining donors by making a monthly, quarterly or annual commitment to support our goal for a vibrant democracy.

Corporate  or Individual Sponsorship: Partner with us to promote social responsibility and contribute to the betterment of our community.
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