NOTE: The LWVCC will not be publishing The Voter in October.
The next edition will be issued on November 1.
This newsletter contains links to pages and documents on the LWVCC website: .
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| Luncheon and General Meeting
October 14, 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club | Freedom of the Press
presented by
Bob Orr
Naples Press Club
For our October luncheon, we are excited to welcome Bob Orr, broadcast news reporter and news anchor from CBS News in Washington. He is coming to address our League as a member of the Naples Press Club and to share his experience in broadcasting for over 40 years. Mr. Orr will speak to us about the importance of freedom of the press and the challenges facing those in the media today.
Bob Orr spent more than four decades in broadcasting before retiring in February 2015 from CBS News. His experience covered many events including the Columbia Shuttle disaster, September 11th, the death of Osama bin Laden, the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary, the Boston Marathon bombings, plus many more.
Registration details will be available later this month.
| Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Teresa Stohs
I am reminded of the Flying Wallendas. They began their act working with a net. Then they were invited to perform at Madison Square Garden, and their net did not arrive. Did they give up? No, they faced their fear and performed without a net, a tradition that continued.
Today, many of us do not feel like we have a “net” when it comes to voting. There appear to be threats to the safeguard to protect all voter rights. But we do not give up. It is more important than ever to educate voters about their voting rights and encourage them to vote.
While the LWV supports many important issues, and works with a number of committees, our core work is Voter Services--none is more important at this time in the life of the LWVCC than Voter Services. As stated by LWVUS:
“The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.”
No matter what other League work we perform, today we are all members of the Voter Services committee as we go into our next election year.
This Fall, we will be working on a new Strategic Plan for the LWVCC. We will be asking two questions to frame our work. 1) What is the most important thing the LWVCC does? 2) What does the LWVCC do that no one else in our community does? Please reflect on these questions as you will be asked to answer them as members of the League, and as leaders in our community.
Please note that former LWVCC President, Paula Schwerin, had to step down due to personal reasons. Teresa Stohs, who was 1st Vice Chair, was selected to fill her spot.
| On Monday, August 10th, Governor DeSantis announced that he will urge the Florida legislature to pursue a new redistricting of Florida’s congressional districts. Jessica Lowe-Minor, President of the LWVFL, condemned the recent Florida Supreme Court ruling for permitting a 2023 redistricting plan that was viewed as a significant setback for minority representation in the state. LWVFL has also taken a strong stand against this additional attempt to redistrict.
The League is encouraging voters to contact their legislators and urge them to oppose this proposed mid-cycle redistricting. Here are suggested talking points:
Fair Maps
- When the 2010 Fair District Amendment was passed, Floridians made it abundantly clear that they don’t want political districts drawn with partisan intent. Legislators must adhere to the 2010 Fair Districts Amendments and the clear standards they provide.
- Floridians sent the message that district maps should be drawn fairly. Maps must not be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor any political party or politician, and districts must follow existing political and geographic boundaries, when possible, such as city or county lines.
- Redrawing districts in the middle of the decade or on partisan grounds, without new Census data, defies the will of the people and undermines the Florida State Constitution.
Cost of Living Considerations
- Florida families expect their elected leaders to focus on kitchen table issues affecting their daily lives, not divert millions in taxpayer dollars to a rushed and unnecessary redistricting process that does not address their economic reality.
- Redistricting is not free. The last statewide process cost Floridians millions in consultant hours, staff time, and new technology. In a year when insurance premiums continue to hit record highs, families continue to be priced out of their homes, and local governments struggle to keep up with infrastructure demands. Taxpayer dollars should be utilized to address real economic problems.
Public Trust
- Changing electoral maps haphazardly creates confusion, reduces accountability, and weakens the connection between those elected and their constituents.
- From the Panhandle to the Keys, stable electoral maps mean communities can count on consistent representation to address local concerns, like clean water and disaster recovery, at the federal level.
Setting a Dangerous Precedent
- Moving forward with mid-decade redistricting sets a dangerous precedent by opening Pandora’s Box to constant political line-drawing in future legislative sessions.
- Constant redrawing of electoral maps risks instability in our democracy, erodes voters’ confidence in elections, causes confusion, and makes it harder for communities to elect their preferred candidates to advocate for their needs.
Now is the time to reach out to legislators, urging them to oppose mid-cycle redistricting for partisan reasons. The LWVFL urges us to act now. |
Environmental Affairs Committee
Lynn Martin, Patti Forkan, Co-Chairs
SB180 is Preventing Resiliency in Florida
SB180 was passed at the request of several of Florida’s largest developers at the very end of the Florida legislature's 2025 spring session and was subsequently signed by the Governor, becoming law on July 1, 2025. This bill modifies the State Emergency Management Act (252 F.S.), which provides the framework for Florida’s emergency management activities, recognizing the state’s vulnerability to a wide range of emergencies including natural manmade and technical disasters.
This bill, however, pre-empted the ability of local governments to undertake land-use planning changes for three years following a disaster, including measures to protect safety and the environment. This sweeping undefined provision would rule out changes to local growth guidelines that, based on past experience, could be counted on to better protect the population and the environment from future natural disasters. The provision, as passed, would apply retroactively from August 1, 2024 through October 1, 2027.
The LWVFL opposed this bill as it usurps planning control from local governments leaving them unable to strengthen their plans and ordinances to prevent future disasters. To this end, the State League has signed a letter along with other environmental and planning organizations asking that this provision be rescinded through legislation in the fall 2025 legislative session.
Local Leagues and their members are encouraged to contact their legislators to help to repeal this detrimental provision. Local governments in the state are also working to repeal this provision.
If you have further questions, please contact Judy Hushon. |
Membership Committee
Beth VanDamme, Chair
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members:
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Maria Bustamante
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Deirdre Flint |
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Jenny Smith |
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Jan Temkiewicz |
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We are excited to have you join our community!
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Summer Wine and Wisdom
For those “Leaguers” and their friends and partners who are in Naples for the summer, two Wine and Wisdom events gave us the opportunity to get together, socialize, and enjoy. We met at Taberna Burntwood in Mercato on June 25, and Rebecca’s Restaurant and Bar on August 6. Both venues provided space in their newly renovated locations. We had an open bar, and appetizers were provided by LWVCC. It was a great opportunity to touch base, relax, and talk about hot topics! A good time was had by all.
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LWVCC Book Club
A Sneak Peek at Book Club Selections for 2025-26
If you're interested in the environment, you won't want to miss The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance by Dan Egan. While the title may sound scientific, this best-selling book is an eye-opening and fascinating account of a serious environmental issue. Florida plays a large part in the story, from the Bone Valley to the "dead zones" in our waterways. Mark your calendar for Monday, December 8, at 3 p.m. for the discussion. All members and anyone interested in the topic are welcome!
For those who enjoy an inspirational and candid memoir, Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson is a perfect choice. The book offers an intimate look into the personal and professional journey of the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court. Suggested by League members, this book is sure to spark a great discussion about Jackson’s Miami-raised roots and her path to the highest court. Join us to chat about this book on Monday, March 16, at 3 p.m. A shorter young adult version will also be available in January.
Locations for both discussions will be announced soon.
| 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
Sent by lwvcc@lwvcolliercounty.org
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