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| Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Teresa Stohs
You have received multiple alerts for the same set of bills, HB 991 and SB 1334. Why? The reason is these are the most serious sets of voter suppression bills presented by the State this year. As of this writing, HB 991 has passed the House (83 to 31), and SB 1334 is in committee with a vote predicted to be soon. We continue to evaluate what we can do to move the needle on this and other bills. The most important thing we can do is communicate with our legislators. Daily. I urge you to join me and do the same.
Later in this Voter, I am sharing the update on our Strategic Plan, which will go to the Board for vote on March 4. I want to quote the Greek historian Herodotus, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers . . .” Despite a leadership change, shifting deadlines, holidays, and daily pressing matters, our Board and Committee Chairs have worked tirelessly to create a three-year plan for the LWVCC. Bravo to them all!
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While the final version of the Strategic Plan still has to be approved by the Board, I want to share our five Strategic Initiatives with you. These came together through a compilation of Strategic Plan survey results, feedback from new and existing members, and input from Board members and Committee Chairs.
- Strategic Initiative 1 – Re-center on voting rights and voter education as the unifying mission across all committees and actions.
- Strategic Initiative 2 – Rebuild and safeguard nonpartisan credibility in the community through training, messaging discipline, and transparent communication.
- Strategic Initiative 3 – Grow membership with diverse voices and increase engagement of our members in League activities. Invest in leadership development and volunteer support to reduce burnout and sustain engagement.
- Strategic Initiative 4 – Increase visibility and community presence with public forums, partnerships, and consistent digital engagement.
- Strategic Initiative 5 – Maintain sustainability in the areas of finances, fundraising, technology, infrastructure, and committees.
This plan is supplemented with goals and key action steps and will be shared with the members at the Annual Meeting on April 13. | An Agenda of Joy for Troubled Times | By Libbie Bramson
At a recent LWVFL Zoom meeting concerning “Bringing Floridians Together / Embracing Differences to Strengthen Civic Life,” the speaker mentioned that our nation is more deeply polarized than ever in our lifetime. We need to develop trust with one another to build engagement, powerful bridges, and strong relationships to mend the gaps and heal. On everyday issues, most Americans have more commonalities than differences. She also discussed the importance of maintaining our physical and mental well-being.
A few days earlier, I had received “An Agenda of Joy” Valentine email from Joyce Vance that also addressed maintaining our physical and mental health during a time of high anxiety and stress. It is organized into 11 categories with more than 43 specific suggestions of things you can do for yourself, your family, and your community. Category 9 (Volunteering, Civic Action) caught my attention as the suggestions include volunteering with the League of Women Voters and attending school board and local government meetings. Be sure to read Joyce Vance's Valentine. Print it out and keep it on your desk. It’s more than a Valentine. It is a compass to guide us to the light!
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Voter Services Committee
Tina Palmese, Chair
Naples City Council Election – February 3
Naples’ citizens went to the polls on February 3 to select city council members for three open seats. There were eight candidates on the ballot.
In accordance with Florida Election Law, the Naples Canvassing Board oversaw the administration of Naples’ Municipal Election. Patricia Rambosk (City Clerk), Teresa Heitmann (Mayor), and Christine Greider (Senior Judge as a Naples citizen) oversaw the Logic and Accuracy Test of ballot processing equipment one week before the election. On election night, the Canvassing Board reviewed VBM ballots with signature issues and released the preliminary return. Two nights later, VBM ballots and provisional ballots were canvassed followed by the Official Certification of the Official Results and the selection of a precinct for the required Manual Audit. On February 11, a full audit of the Moorings precinct was performed.
LWVCC volunteers (Laura Hansen Reynolds, Carolyn Alden, Susan Sonnenschein, and Donna Adan) observed at the four Canvassing Board meetings. At public comment, we thanked the members of the Canvassing Board for their service and, in addition to thanking the Supervisor of Elections staff, noted the free, fair, and transparent administration of the entire election process, with 100% accuracy on the audit.
There will be new County Canvassing Boards overseeing the August primary election and the November general election, so all members are encouraged to consider volunteering as observers – you’ll see the inner-workings of our Supervisor of Elections ballot processing machinery and the Canvassing Board’s mandatory oversight of the entire election process.
 
Adopt-a-Precinct
On February 3, LWVCC members volunteered as election workers for Precinct 464, Moorings Presbyterian Church. This is part of the long-standing Adopt-a-Precinct initiative whereby workers generously donate their paid wages to the League. Getting there at 6 a.m. and leaving well after 8 p.m., they kept the precinct open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. assisting over 1000 voters cast their ballots for the Naples City Council Election. We'd like to give a big thanks to Becky Newell for heading this effort and the following election workers: Janet Eustis, Michael Finkel, Linda Hayes, Janet McQueen, Tina Palmese, Lindsey Richardson, and Kathleen Ryan. |
Education Ambassadors
Education Ambassadors, composed of members of the LWVCC, AAUW, and Interfaith Alliance of SW Florida, was founded to support public education in Collier County. Each founding organization is a non-partisan, non-profit 501c3.
Highlights of the February 4 Collier County School Board (CCSB) meeting include discussion of:
- SB 318 Educational Scholarship Programs
- Florida Citizens Alliance (FLCA) lawsuit, proposed settlement
SB 318 Educational Scholarship Programs. This bill is intended to improve oversight and accountability of the over $4 billion of state funds that have been distributed to date to private schools and home schoolers. Recent findings show that $47 million has been misappropriated due to flaws in student enrollment tracking. This impacts not only Collier, but all Florida public school districts. Note: the bill does not have a HB companion.
CCPS Chair Stephanie Lucarelli suggested that people contact their local Florida legislative representatives to raise awareness and support this bill. Even without a companion House Bill, there is still an opportunity to append the contents of SB 318 to another HB.
Contact Representatives Botana, Benarroch, and Melo plus Senator Passidomo to support SB 318.
— Yvette Benarroch (850) 717-5081 yvette.benarroch@flhouse.gov
— Adam Botana (850) 717-5080 Adam.Botana@flhouse.gov
— Lauren Melo (850) 717-5082 Lauren.Melo@flhouse.gov
— Kathleen Passidomo (850) 487-5028 Passidomo.Kathleen.flsenate.gov
Talking points include that SB 318: 1) improves accountability and transparency, 2) strengthens fiscal oversight, 3) stabilizes public school funding, 4) creates a more predictable scholarship process, 5) reduces administrative costs through streamlined processes, and 6) clarifies programs by renaming the Hope Scholarship Program as the Hope Program.
EA, with approval of the three founding groups, has already contacted the above legislators, and sent letters to the editor in support of SB 318. Now hundreds of letters from individuals are needed.
Florida Citizen Alliance Settlement. This case began in March 2023 when the FLCA requested the database records of parents with children attending CCPS. At the February 2026 meeting, the CCSB unanimously voted to reject the proposed settlement and not provide thousands of e-mail addresses as they are private information, would create a bad precedent, and the information could be potentially used for nefarious purposes. The case will next go to a circuit district court. Several members of the public spoke in support of rejecting the proposed settlement. In addition to privacy and safety concerns, speakers and CCSB members pointed out that one of the goals of the FLCA is to destroy public education by defunding it.
Next Meetings. March 4, regular CCSB meeting and March 18 Board Workshop regarding budget. The public is always welcomed.
For more information about Education Ambassadors and how you can participate, contact educationambassadors@lwvcolliercounty.org |
Membership Committe
Beth VanDamme, Chair
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members:
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Ann Biddlecom
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Cheryl Dromgoole |
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Betsy (Elizabeth) Kampmeinert |
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Carol Kelly |
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Annette Kirk |
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Nicole Torres |
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Amelia Vasquez |
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Heidi Walker |
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| We are excited to have you join our community! |
| 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
| SUPPORT THE THE LEAGUE
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Recurring Gifts
It’s easy to make a bigger than average gift by giving smaller amounts monthly.
We now have the ability to accept recurring gifts. Click the donate button on our
homepage and you will see options to give to the education fund or the endowment.
There are two buttons – Donate and Recurring Gifts.
You can make recurring gifts monthly or quarterly.
Give it a try!
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