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| Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Paula Schwerin
Recently, I was having a discussion with a group of friends about the work of LWVCC. After a while, one friend asked, “Do you really think you make a difference?” I responded by saying that I truly believe it is the small actions we take, on a regular basis, that make a difference.
As uncanny as it may seem, days later, an article from DMN (Daily Motivation News) showed up in my newsfeed. It was titled “9 traits of people who instinctively return shopping carts.” As I read the article, I thought back to the discussion. My two main take-aways from the article were:
- Individuals who return shopping carts care about the greater good.
- Individuals who return shopping carts recognize the impact of micro-actions.
If you find yourself feeling discouraged with your newsfeed each morning, and wonder if there is anything you can do to make a difference, remind yourself that every small action counts. Every conversation you have, matters. Every plastic straw you decline, matters. Every person you remind to check their voting status, matters. Every person you talk to about the importance of public education, matters. Every time you decide to shop or not shop at a certain retailer, it makes a difference. The list goes on and on.
Remember, small things make a difference. And, when we all do small things, on a regular basis, we take steps toward making a difference. | The May luncheon of the League Of Women Voters of Collier County hosted Bacardi Jackson, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. Bacardi shared with the audience what it was like growing up in America as a black woman. She is the descendant of slaves who experienced extreme racism and hatred. But, she said, that racism and hatred continued to follow her through life…in her childhood neighborhood, at Stanford University, and in the prestigious law firms in which she worked. She added “Racism is alive and well and strong as ever today, and we all must fight against it.”
Bacardi gave an overview of some of the issues the ACLUFL is addressing, from voting rights, to school censorship, to deportation of immigrants. Her speech was a call to action for all of us to challenge the state and federal infringements on our Constitutional rights. She urged us to use all the levers of democracy to assure rights for all citizens— contacting our representatives, demonstrating, lobbying legislators, writing letters to news outlets, and speaking out wherever and whenever we can when justice is challenged. She responded to many questions from the audience and left Leaguers inspired to act in whatever ways we can in this crucial time in our state and country to assure the rights of all people are respected and upheld. | Suzanne Low, JD, National Popular Vote Chair of the League of Women Voters of Collier County and District Chair of Floridians for the National Popular Vote, delivered a timely and informative talk on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) at the June meeting of the Democratic Women’s Club of Marco Island.
The compact offers a constitutional, bipartisan approach that does not eliminate the Electoral College but works through state-level law changes. It will ensure that the U.S. Presidency is awarded to the candidate who receives the most popular votes across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Currently, “Winner Take All” laws in 48 states disproportionately award electoral votes.
Low explained that the National Popular Vote law (NPVIC) allows states to allocate their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner without requiring a constitutional amendment. So far, 18 jurisdictions totaling 209 electoral votes have enacted NPVIC legislation. The compact will take effect once states representing a majority of the Electoral College (270 votes) have signed on. Florida has not signed on yet, however NPVIC bills continue to be introduced.
Low addressed and debunked common misconceptions, emphasized the broad public support among Republicans, Democrats, independents, and young and older voters, and encouraged attendees to visit floridiansfornpv.com to learn more. In addition, they can subscribe to the Floridians for NPV newsletter, sign up for legislative updates, and contact state lawmakers in support of the initiative.
The message was clear: the National Popular Vote will ensure every vote counts equally, no matter the state. NPVIC stands as a beacon of hope for a more democratic electoral system, one that aligns with core American principles of equality and voter empowerment. | 
Voter Services Committee
Laura Hansen Reynolds, Chair
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Further LWVFL Guidance for Amendment Petitions Collection
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First, a reminder that LWVFL is not a sponsor of any of the proposed state constitutional amendments for the 2026 ballot.
However, the League has approved supporting the amendment to expand Medicaid. The sponsor of this amendment is Florida Decides Healthcare (FDH). We are following their guidance regarding the handling of petitions.
At the June 16th Florida Decides Healthcare (FDH) meeting, the new procedures for handling petitions AFTER July 1 was announced. For League members, the new procedure will be familiar, as it is essentially the same procedure we currently follow for paper voter registration applications – provide the voter with petition form and envelope for mailing. The difference is that FDH will provide the forms and a pre-addressed, postage paid envelope! In other words, just like paper voter registration forms, we are distributing the petition forms but not collecting signed petitions to turn into a hub or mail to an auditor.
Why are we using this procedure? Under the new law, House Bill 1205, there is no limit on the number of blank petitions a volunteer can distribute. However, there is a limit on the number of signed petitions a volunteer may collect without being a registered petition circulator (no more than 25). We do NOT want any League volunteer to sign up to be a registered petition circulator!
Starting July 1:
- Volunteers/local Leagues should destroy blank copies of the current petition form as it will no longer be valid to use.
- Volunteers should shift to distribution rather than collection; that is, volunteers should not collect any completed (signed) petitions. You can answer questions the voter may have and review the completed petition for correctness, but do this without physically handling the signed petition.
- Volunteers will be given pre-addressed postage paid envelopes and should provide these envelopes to voters who will then mail their own completed petitions. Note that the address on these envelopes will be different from the address we are using currently for submitting completed petitions.
- Volunteers should NOT accept any signed petitions or signed petitions enclosed in the envelopes!
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Education Ambassadors
This month, Education Ambassadors took actions on two issues: the adoption of a biology text and the forthcoming State Education budget.
We had nine Steering Committee Members and Members on Call at the May 14 School Board special meeting about objections to the adoption of a biology text. We presented our argument supporting the review committee recommendation and several members spoke as individuals as well. The School Board affirmed the adoption of the text, as we had hoped. A video of these public comments can be found on the Education Channel of Collier County Public Schools. The text of the presentation is here. Gulf Coast News WZVN / WBBH TV carried the story, as well.
Following the presentation of budget plans at the School Board Working Meeting on May 21, we submitted a guest editorial to the Naples Daily News, arguing against proposed cuts in the State Education budget for 2025-26. The text of the editorial is here. We are happy to report success on this issue: as part of the state budget negotiations, funding for these programs was restored.
We received notes of gratitude from two School Board members for our efforts. |
Membership Committee
Beth VanDamme, Chair
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members:
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Christine Citrano
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Donna Fisher |
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Betsy Grady |
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Nancy Kaehler |
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Roseanne McTernan |
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Vivian Patterson |
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Wendy Rieger |
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Barbara Rudd |
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Madison Yates |
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We’re excited to have you join our community!
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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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