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| Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Diane Preston Moore
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” So begins the Declaration of Independence, the signing of which we commemorate this -- and every -- July 4th. The sanctity of these truths motivates the League of Women Voters to act, to defend democracy, and to empower voters.
In June, the League honored the ideal that “all men are created equal” while celebrating diversity at two major local events: Naples Pride Fest at Cambier Park on June 8th and Juneteenth at River Park Community Center on June 22nd. Read more about our work at these events, below.
As the August 20th primaries draw closer, our League has never been more active in ensuring that voters have the information they need to cast their vote.
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As part of the Collier County Coalition for Candidate Forums, LWVCC assisted in hosting Forums for County Commissioner, School Board, Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser Candidates. You can view the recording of the Commissioners' Forum on the LWVCC website. Other forum recordings will be posted when available.
- On July 12th, LWVCC will host LWVCC Ambassador Sandy Parker’s valuable presentation, “Get Ready To Vote,” on Zoom. You will not want to miss this! Click to view more information and to register.
- On August 14th, our Education Committee will host a Zoom presentation about ballot issues, including the Collier County Tax Neutral Referendum to benefit CCPS, Amendment 1 re: Partisan School Board Elections, and Amendment 4 re: Limiting Government Interference with Abortion.
- Our Voter Services Committee has been busy sending postcards reminding voters in Collier County precincts with historically low turnout to get out and vote.
- Our Returning Citizens subcommittee has been busy sending postcards to those who have completed their felony conviction sentences about resources to help determine whether they are eligible have their voting rights restored. Read more below.
- And our Engaging Young Voters initiative continues to produce creative social media videos to encourage young (ages 21-40) voters to get out and vote. Read more below.
Even as we celebrate our Independence Day and reflect how fortunate we are to live in the USA, we do not take our freedoms for granted. We recognize that we need to work every day to ensure that voters are empowered, educated, and energized. So as we enjoy July 4th celebrations, please read on to hear more about the incredible work our committees have been doing.
In League,
Diane
|  | Know Your November Ballot Questions
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On August 14, the LWVCC Education Committee is hosting an online discussion of three important issues on the November ballot. This video conference is open to LWVCC members and guests.
Lisa Morse-Senior Director, Strategic Engagement & Initiatives, Collier County Public Schools, will speak on the Collier County Public Schools Referendum on Using Capital Funds for Operating Expenses.
Rosemary Nilles, Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Citrus County and co-author of the LWVFL white paper on nonpartisan school board issues, will explain Amendment 1 on Changing the Ballot Category of School Board Members from Non-Partisan to Partisan.
Dawnyelle Singleton, Manager of Volunteers and Community Programs, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, will discuss Amendment 4 on the Constitutional Right to Abortion before Fetal Viability.
When: Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Register for Event
Video conference information will be provided in an email once registration is complete. | Canvassing Board Observers
| Please join League members as observers at the August Primary Election Canvassing Board! Every member is welcome to join in as an observer at one (or more) of the meetings of the Canvassing Board surrounding the upcoming August Primary election.
What is the Canvassing Board? A Canvassing Board is appointed to oversee the oversight and certification of each election cycle. The duties of the Board can be summarized in three main points:
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To certify the voting equipment correctly counts votes cast for all offices and on all measures
- To verify the accuracy and validity of all votes cast
- To submit the official returns to the Department of State
Who serves on the Canvassing Board? The Board is composed of three members: the Supervisor of Elections, a county court Judge who acts as the chair, and the chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Canvassing board member appointments will be finalized at the Logic and Accurancy Certification at the end of July. A substitute will be appointed for Melissa Blazier, Supervisor of Elections, because that primary race with opposing candidates is on the ballot. A substitute will also be appointed for Chris Hall, the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners because he has endorsed select candidates running in the primary election.
When does the Canvassing Board meet? The Canvassing Board will meet on July 24 for the Public Logic and Accuracy testing of the voting equipment. The Canvassing Board will certify the accuracy of the L & A test, which authorizes the Primary Election and processing of the Vote-by-Mail ballots returned. The Canvassing Board then meets three times to review Vote-by-Mail ballots referred for canvassing: on the Monday before election day, the evening of election day and the Friday after election day. Eight days after the election, the Canvassing Board meets for the Official Certification and one week later, meets to oversee the Manual Audit of the Election.
For the 2024 August primary cycle, the schedule is:
Wednesday, July 24, 9:00 a.m. — Logic and Accuracy Test and Primary Election Authorizations
Monday, Aug. 19, 9:00 a.m. — Review of Vote-by-Mail Ballots
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 5:00 p.m. — Review of Vote-by-Mail Ballots and Preliminary Returns
Friday, Aug. 23, 9:00 a.m. — Review of Vote-by-Mail Ballots, Provisional Ballots, 1st Unofficial Results and Selection of Precinct and Race for the Manual Audit
Wednesday, Aug. 28, 9:00 a.m. — Official Certification
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 9:00 a.m. — Manual Audit of the Election
When you volunteer as an observer, you represent LWVCC as members of the public observing the Canvassing Board meeting. We try to have at least 3 members attend each Canvassing Board session, to observe the work of the Canvassing Board and to ensure a fair and secure election. It’s interesting to watch as the Canvassing Board considers acceptance of ballots that are referred for canvass. You’ll receive detailed guidelines on participating as an observer prior to the session you volunteer for. To volunteer, sign up on the LWVCC website, Take Action>Volunteer.
| Voter Services Activities
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Returning Citizens Initiative
In 2018, the Florida electorate overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4, granting the right to vote to former felons who have completed their sentence (except murderers or felony sex offenders). The League of Women Voters of Florida, which was instrumental in the amendment initiative, is committed to help these “Returning Citizens” regain the right to vote and has helped reduce fees and administrative costs that are required to pay due to related legislation passed in 2019. Cecile Scoon, LWVFL Co-President, established a state program to identify and educate returning citizens of their rights and developed training to work pro bono for those in need.
Our local League has been part of the ongoing statewide postcard writing campaign to encourage and inform returning citizens about the change in the law that allows them to vote if their sentence is completed. The postcards direct returning citizens to the League Voter Assistance phone line for free legal assistance. In the past few years, our LWVCC volunteers alone have written and mailed 15,000+ cards!
We plan on continuing this good work and have scheduled postcard writing parties on Thursday afternoons throughout the summer, please see our Event Calendar for details or contact Tina Palmese.
It is truly a rewarding experience and a big Thank You to all who have participated!
Get in Line or Don’t Whine!
“The future of our country depends on engaging younger voters”, says Stacy Vermylen, chair of the Voter Services project called Engaging Younger Voters. The project is a hip (yes, hip!) project aimed at GenZ and Millennial voters in Collier County, who have shown a concerning lack of interest in casting votes in elections. Less than 35% of voters ages 18-40 bothered to vote in previous elections, and our League hopes to voter turnout for this group as well as among all registered voters.
To attract younger voters, LWVCC hired the young principals of Pink Shark, a media communication agency in Naples. Together we have created a non-partisan “man on the street” style of videos, interviewing local residents about voting and what issues concern them. To give the campaign some oomph we are using references to popular celebrities like Taylor Swift or have used provocative lead-ins like “Do you remember your first time……. voting that is” as a fun way to engage younger voters.
The campaign goes well beyond Facebook to Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and X to attract younger voters, and efforts also include events, T-shirt giveaways, and texting with younger demographics than the League normally has. The effort is non-partisan, with interviews presenting varying attitudes about policy and a wide range of ages from college to more mature voters in these groups. Amendments to the Florida Constitution in November are expected to interest younger voters, too, especially Amendment 4 (Women’s Rights to Choose) and Amendment 3 (Marijuana). Success for increased voter turnout among this age group will be measured at the ballot box in November.
The Theme of the campaign is “Get in Line, or Don’t Whine: Vote!”. Anyone can order theme T-shirts to support the initiative by going to https://get-out-the-vote-by-sbv.printify.me/products. Options include a T-shirt, cap, or mug…help get the word out!
Check out the LWVCC campaign on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@leagueofwomenvotersofcolli1721 or search Instagram @lwvcolliercounty. Follow, too!
| Maine is latest state to pass the National Popular Vote
Joining sixteen other jurisdictions, Maine’s legislators passed the National Popular Vote (NPV) interstate compact in April 2024 with bi-partisan support. Maine first introduced the NPV bill in 2006 when it was a completely new concept for “one person, one vote”. Persistence finally paid off.
Connecticut passed NPV in May 2018, Oregon in June 2019, Colorado in December 2020, and Minnesota passed it in the spring of 2023. To date, states holding 209 electoral votes have passed NPV. When enough states, with 270 Electoral votes pass NPV, the law will elect the President by the total of the national popular vote in all 50 states. This would replace the state by state “winner take all” that predominates today.
The goal is “Every Vote Equal.” No blue states, no red states, no battleground states. So, we are 77% of the way there - only an additional 61 more electoral votes are needed to enact the law. The bill has passed one or more legislative chambers in 7 additional states possessing 74 electoral votes: Arkansas, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia.
Contact LWVCC National Popular Vote team leader Suzanne Low at npv@lwvcolliercunty.org with any questions or to schedule a speaker for your organization. And stay tuned for more updates! | We are thrilled to announce that the LWVCC Endowment Fund has reached $30,000 and is now at the Collier Community Foundation. In recognition of the generosity of former President Helen Franke in donating the original gift that started our endowment fund, the LWVCC formed the Helen Franke Legacy Society, and all donors to the Endowment through the end of 2024 will become Charter Members of the Society.
Here are the Charter Members through May 2024:
| Patricia Aiken-O'Neill |
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Melinda Heim |
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Susan Pezzullo |
| Carolyn E Alden |
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Janet Hoffman |
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Pat Plummer |
| Sarah Berg |
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Joanne Huskey |
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Wendy (Susan) Riedel |
| Libbie Bramson |
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Ray Kalich |
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Linda Scherzinger |
| Nancy Chism |
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Anna Christina (Paul) Kardon |
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Betty Schwartz |
| Cynthia Cromwell |
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Suzanne Low |
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Karen Sendik |
Stephanie Dixon
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Lynn Martin |
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Elizabeth Smith |
Katherine Doerr
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Denise McLaughlin |
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Susan Sonnenschein |
Jan Eustis
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Diane Preston Moore |
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Teresa Stohs |
| Carissa Funk |
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Judi Palay |
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Lisabeth VanDamme |
| Susan Golden |
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Tina Palmese |
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Stacy Vermylen |
| Ellen Hannan |
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Sandy Parker |
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Diana Walsh
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| Anonymous (2) |
Ensure that you are on this illustrious list by making a tax-deductible gift to the Endowment Fund today! This distinguished group includes 100% of our Board members (as of the beginning of April). We hope you will want to join these individuals who have “voted with their wallets” to ensure the League has a strong future defending democracy and educating voters in Collier County, regardless of economic, weather, political or other unforeseen events to come. Donations may be made through the LWVCC website or by check mailed to PO Box 9883, Naples, FL 34101. Contact Endowment Chair Suzanne Low at endowment@lwvcolliercounty.org for more information. | 
Is our Democracy at Risk?
by Joanne Grady Huskey
According to the World Economic Forum the five most successful democracies in the world are Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Denmark. The United States wasn’t on the list!. In fact it wasn’t listed in the top 10! Global democracy indices consider electoral process, functioning of the government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties. Why do we not measure up? Is our democracy really at risk? What can we as citizens do?
As Plato stated ages ago, uncovering truth through reasoned argumentation and debate among citizens leads to better governance. A well-functioning democracy depends on civil discourse – open respectful conversation about public issues, allowing for diverse viewpoints, fosters mutual understanding and is crucial to the democratic process. Are we losing this ability?
Today in America we have trouble discussing the important issues confronting us. Our Congress cannot function as it should because of partisan infighting. We tend to hold onto our own beliefs and fear interacting with those who differ from us. There is a pervasive tendency to vilify those who think differently. We may not do the necessary studying and research to understand what candidates, who are running for office at the local, state, and national level, stand for. We increasingly rely on biased media to feed us information.
However, in the upcoming election, we citizens have the power and responsibility to address the issues that really matter to our unique form of democracy. We have the freedom to educate ourselves about the issues and discuss ideas with others who are equally concerned about our nation. We, the people, can do this, if we listen to each other in a civil manner, engage in constructive conversations and truly dedicate ourselves to preserving our nation. Let’s begin today! Democracy Needs Civility.
In the months leading up to our national elections, read reliable national news. Check out Sparker’s Soapbox, The Naples Daily News, and Naples Press for local and state news. Look at the League of Women Voters Vote411 website (vote411.org florida) to get up to date information about issues and candidates. We all must exercise our power to VOTE for those who will bring the best solutions for our nation and our world, and maybe one day we will get back on the list of most successful democracies in the world. |
Juvenile Justice Committee
Libbie Bramson, Chair
Did you know that Juvenile Justice has been a LWVCC Committee for the past 35 years? We read and hear about front-page topics including civil rights, environment, schools, and social policy issues literally daily. At the same time, Juvenile Justice usually remains a back-page issue. Unless someone has first-hand experience of Juvenile Justice, or a 10-year-old is hand-cuffed and arrested, most people aren’t aware of Juvenile Justice.
What is Juvenile Justice? It involves protecting the rights of at-risk, vulnerable kids up to age 18 and in some cases age 20. It involves preventing juvenile delinquency and keeping youths from being incarcerated for misdemeanors. It involves giving kids a second chance to keep them from having a juvenile arrest record that will have negative consequences for the rest of their lives.
What is the Mission of the Juvenile Justice Committee? To educate and inform the community, parents, youth organizations, and League members about Juvenile Justice; and support preventive and restorative programs that help save our kids’ future.
New JJ Promotion Materials. We have recently completed our new English / Spanish Flyer, and Saving Futures Power Point presentation in English and Spanish. If you believe in the importance of saving our kids’ futures, and want to increase community awareness of positive programs, we encourage you to check out our committee.
To learn more about Juvenile Justice, we encourage you to go to the LWVCC Website and visit our new Juvenile Justice issues page.
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Membership Committee
Beth VanDamme, Chair
| Please welcome the following new members: |
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Marlene Dimas
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Sylvia A. Natale |
| Liz Ellis |
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Gusti Rosenauer |
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Megan Greer |
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Fauzia Tahiry |
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Cheryl Inglis |
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Jean Waller
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| Maria Mair |
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| League News From Across the Country
| National League News
For more information, visit LWV.org.
State League News
For more information, visit LWVFL.org.
| Please refer to the LWVCC Weekly Update for a complete list of upcoming events or visit the LWVCC website: lwvcolliercounty.org.
Members should log in to ensure they see members-only events and registration options. | 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 9883, Naples, FL 34101
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