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100 Days to The Vote

Staff | Published on 7/26/2020

“100 Days” Project Harnesses Power
of Suffrage Centennial to Empower Voters

 

ORLANDO, Fla. – On July 27, the League of Women Voters of Orange County launches “100 Days to The Vote,” a campaign that celebrates 100 years of votes for women in the United States and offers voter information about the upcoming primary and general elections, especially tailored for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign begins with daily social-media posts featuring fascinating nuggets of information about the suffragists and about the achievements of women in the century since 1920, both nationally and in Central Florida (www.facebook.com/LWVOC). It continues for 100 days until November 3, the Election Day that marks 100 years since the first time women across the nation could vote. 
“In the past couple of years, we’ve learned a great deal about our foremothers who fought so long for the right to participate in our democracy,” says Gloria Pickar, LWVOC co-president. “Today, the League strives to make sure every vote is counted and every voice is heard.”
As part of the campaign, on the morning of Monday, August 17—the day before the primary election—social-distancing Leaguers in costume will pay tribute to the suffragists of a century ago in a downtown Orlando gathering to encourage voting, followed by a news conference at 10 a.m. outside the Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., in Orlando. The spirit of Susan B. Anthony herself is slated to make an appearance.
“The ‘100 Days to The Vote’ campaign highlights both how the vote expanded opportunities for women and our recommitment to the importance of voting,” notes Linda Chapin, Orange County’s first elected mayor and chair of the League’s suffrage Centennial commemoration.
“The story of how the 19th Amendment became reality illustrates so well that one vote can truly make a difference,” Chapin notes. By a single vote in Tennessee, the amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, and declared official on August 26, 1920. “We invite all Central Floridians to join us in celebrating those dates, and also to honor this significant Centennial by recommitting to the importance of voting.”
The Orange County League also invites Central Floridians to commemorate the Centennial by lighting buildings and landmarks in the suffragists’ colors of purple and gold on August 25 and August 26, as part of the national Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission’s “Forward Into Light” project. The title honors a historic suffrage slogan, “Forward through the Darkness, Forward into Light.” (For details, see womensvote100.org/forwardintolight)

To learn more about the League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida, including extensive information on voting, please visit lwvoc.org.

 

The League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida, is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. 


League of Women Voters of Orange County, FL, P.O. Box 1901, Winter Park, FL 32790, 407-735-6540.


100 Days to The Vote: Important Dates


July 27The League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida, launches “100 Days to The Vote” with a series of 100 social-media posts highlighting women’s history and information about how to vote safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Visit www.facebook.com/LWVOC/

August 3Early voting begins in Orange County and continues through August 16, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. You will need a photo and signature ID. Unlike primary-election day, when you must vote at your assigned polling place, you can vote at any open early-voting site. (For more voting information, visit lwvoc.org and Vote411.org.)
August 8Last day to order mail-in ballots in Orange County before the August 18 primary election.
August 17Social-distancing League members pay tribute to the suffragist “Silent Sentinels” of history by carrying signs urging everyone to vote in the August 18 primary, followed by a 10 a.m. news conference at Orlando Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando.
August 18Primary election Centennial of ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
August 19League leaders available for interviews through August 26.
August 26Centennial of the day in 1920 when the 19th Amendment became official; also designated by Congress as Women’s Equality Day in 1973 to commemorate the suffrage anniversary.
October 5Deadline to update party affiliation or register to vote for the November 3 general election.
October 19Early voting begins in Orange County and continues through November 1, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  You will need a photo and signature ID. Unlike Election Day, when you must vote at your assigned polling place, voters can vote at any open early voting site. (For more voting information, visit lwvoc.org and Vote411.org.)

November 2A century since women across the nation first voted in a U.S. General Election; also the 100th anniversary of the Ocoee Massacre of 1920 in Orange County, considered the largest incident of voting-day violence in United States history.

November 3Election Day