Vote-by-Mail ballots are arriving! You can still request a ballot HERE! Take time to prepare as this November’s ballot will be 4- 5 pages long! There are lots of ballot questions: 10 for the Orange County Charter and 6 for the state. We've prepared a special voter guide to help you navigate your amendment choices. Click HERE to read and download quick reference voting guides in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. |  |  | I continue to find so many bright spots as I engage with fellow league members, partners in the community, and the citizens of Orange County. The level of commitment and skill I witness daily is astounding. In spite of the twists and turns, and occasional rough patches, in our grand experiment in democracy, I continue to be optimistic and deeply grateful. As we head into the home stretch of this election season, thank you! Thank you for your faith in and dedication to the possibilities for our county, our state, and our nation.
Yours in Service,
Kathy |  | LWVOC at Orlando Shakes
Join our League President and others on Friday, October 4 for Opening Night of What the Constitution Means to Me, at Orlando Shakes. $30 tickets in our LWVOC block are still available. Just let Kathy Schmitz (president@lwvoc.org.) know how many you need, and she’ll send you payment info. (Note: Performance is at Edyth Bush Theatre while Shakes gets a new roof.) | | |
NEXT WEEK, Hot Topics honors Hispanic Heritage Month! Join us for this special program that includes a youth-oriented panel that will discuss "Strength in Diversity: The Complex Hispanic Vote."
Attention League STUDENT MEMBERS! Your cost for attending Hot Topics is ONLY $10 (members, log into the system before registering to receive your discount)
| We're opening the doors EARLY at 10:30am!
Panelists include:
- Cecilia Gonzalez, a UCF student and advocacy coordinator for Voting Rights at LatinoJustice PRLDEF (Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund)
- Ricardo Negron-Almodovar, serves as the Florida senior campaign manager for All Voting is Local
- Carla Rivera is the Legislative and Policy Manager at Alianza for Progress
- Samuel Vilchez Santiago, member of the Venezuelan-American Caucus and chair of Orange County Democrats.
- Moderator Kirstin Delgado, morning anchor for WFTV, Emmy nominated veteran journalist of 14 years and author
Visit our Hot Topics page for all the details including bios of our panelists.
Join the DEIA Committee in honoring the contributions and accomplishments of the Hispanic community by celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15). It's an opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy the rich and complex cultures that make up the Hispanic diaspora. We know that nearly 35% of central Florida's population identifies as Hispanic or Latinx and represents one of the fastest growing communities in the United States. Follow the link to learn more about local festivities, dining and exhibits: visitorlando.com/blog/post/hispanic-heritage-month-orlando/: | | OCT 15, Fall League Showcase, 6PM New Member Welcome to the League @Winter Park Community Center, 721 W New England Ave, Winter Park
FREE parking and Refreshments Everyone is welcome!
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OCT 6, Amendment Informational
Are you election ready? In Orange County, voters have six proposed amendments to the state constitution. The public is invited to hear a presentation by the League of Women Voters, "VOTER GUIDE to the FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS" on Sunday, Oct 6, noon to 1:15 pm.
First Unitarian Church of Orlando, 1901 E. Robinson St., Orlando, is hosting this in-person event in its Sanctuary. Also, online viewing will be available on their Facebook page: facebook.com/orlandouu/live_videos
| | OCT 15, noon, Special guest at Educ. Mtg
The Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, Oct.15th at noon via zoom.
We will hear from Judi Hayes, plaintiff in the federal lawsuit fighting book bans in schools, and a presentation on the renewal of the OCPS half penny for construction on this year's ballot. All are welcome to attend!
| | |  | | On Sunday, September 29, at Engage in Your Community: Central Florida Young Voters 2024, Victoria Shinker (shown left above) did a wonderful job representing LWVOC as part of a panel on Youth Engagement to be aired on Engage on Central Florida Public Media (wmfe, 90.7 and 89.5 FM). The show is available by podcast. |  | | Leaguers Theo Webster and Wendy Wallenberg (shown above far right) were in attendance at the recent reception for "Art in the Chambers" featuring artist Carl Knickerbocker at the Orange County Administration Center. This is a collaboration between OC Arts & Cultural Affairs with the Public Art Review Board. | | |
 | | It was a busy weekend for Voter Services! NEW members Gail Ridgeway (shown above) and Charles Mapson tabled at a Voter Information Forum on Sunday at St. Paul AME Church in Apopka. This was one of three voter outreach events Sunday where the League was asked to participate. |
 | | LWVOC was welcomed back to the Conway Community Market for its opening on Sunday 9/29. Members Margo Hamel, Anne Mayer and Chloe Scott (not pictured) warmly greeted attendees with voter and election information. |
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 | National Night Out was celebrated at the Taft Community Center on 10/1 and LWVOC was there! Members Saudi Ellis, Donna Goda, and Anne Peckham provided voter outreach to neighborhood residents along with other community resource vendors. Members of the Gun Violence Prevention Committee were also present!
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| Even if you’re already registered, it’s a good idea to CHECK your registration. Visit VOTE411.org/check-registration by OCT 7 to confirm your registration information in case you need to update it. |  | WATCH the candidates on the LWVOC YouTube Channel HERE. From recorded candidate forums, you can watch the candidates in action to help you make your final ballot decision.
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LWVOC hosted a special Hot Topics in May of this year. It dove into the recent pivotal rulings concerning abortion rights in Florida. The Florida Supreme Court has made significant decisions, including paving the way for the implementation of a six-week abortion ban and allowing Floridians to vote on whether to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution. Take the time to reread our RECAP here which provides a review of the event, bios of the panelists, a photo album and a video link of the program or go directly to our YouTube channel and view it by clicking below:
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| FOLLOW - LIKE -SHARE We need your help to grow our social media accounts, engaging ALL voters, especially our younger generations. You can click the media icons at the top right of this email to go DIRECTLY to our accounts or click on the links below.
Currently, we're highlighting a campaign from Leaguer Bobby Sena and his team to educate voters. FOLLOW-LIKE-SHARE
| | | 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.
|  | | Suzanne Lane – Ida B. Wells Member
Karen Griner
Sharyn Trapp
Share this newsletter and invite your family and social circles to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Orange County!
|  | Emily S. Glickstein
Melinda Rigney
Cynthia M. Stump
We are almost there! The Double Your Gift Campaign is close to our goal.
Visit our Donor page to see the MANY different ways you can support the League of Women Voters of Orange County. | | |
| With the primary and presidential elections around the corner, we hope you have plugged into the power of your vote to protect democracy.
Jennifer and Phil Anderson are back! Thanks to their generosity, we are pleased to announce that any gift you make by November 5 will be doubled by a matching grant up to $25,000.
| 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. | |