Emailing - League of Women Voters of Orange County

Voter ready, voter empowerment, #Votes4All...whatever we call it, IT is the TOP priority for the 2024-25 LWVOC Program. With that in mind, the busy season of election year is in full swing! Education events, advocacy rallies, and voter registration tables are happening every week and are in need of League volunteers.

See our Volunteer Ops below or just visit the Volunteering Site Page to view opportunities. If you have questions about an event, team members have left their contact information so that they can provide answers to your queries.

LWVOC Civic Engagement

At the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center, the LWVOC in partnership with the City of Orlando, Zeta Phi Beta sorority and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity developed a four-part series for youth at the Parramore Kidz zone focusing on the History of Voting in the US and Misinformation and Disinformation....separating facts from fiction. Leaguers in the picture include Gina Hall, Melva Bentley Ross and Jerry Williams.

It's a very busy year for the Adopt-a-Precinct teams. After working the March 19th election, veteran team members stepped up and staffed three precincts for the very close April 16th Winter Park Municipal Runoff. Pictured above at Precinct #527 Winter Park High School are League members Kay Hudson and Terry Creighton in the center, flanked by poll workers Hector Figueroa and Ada Valentin. Not pictured are League AAP members: Mike Singer from #527; Precinct #512 AAP members at Orange Tech - Linda Dalton, Charlie Behrens and Dottie Harris; and Precinct #511 AAP members at Calvary Orlando - Karen Willis, Jill Giese, Darlyn Jimenez and Victor Collazo. Thanks to all our poll workers, as well as our generous Feed our Precinct volunteers, directed by Anne Coppenhaver. Next, we will have an AAP team at the May 21st District 5 Orlando Special Election. Contact Mary Montanus mcmontanus@gmail.com if this is the kind of fulfilling volunteerism that you want to join.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

YOU CAN HELP! Members, be sure you're logged into the system and visit our site page for ALL the available openings.

Volunteering Site Page

We have MULTIPLE opportunities to help with Senior Checkout Days at local high schools through May 23 and will need a large and dedicated volunteer force. Visit the Volunteering Site Page for a full list of openings and read about ALL the details HERE.

* We've identified the "volunteer" from last week's newsletter who was helping at Valencia Winter Park's Earth Day event. Thank you, Melinda Wright for stepping up to educate voters with Jean Yglesias and Jillian Bello.

UPCOMING EVENTS

APR 25, Politics on Tap, 5-6PM

What’s the Climate?
Democracy Project-Rollins College

Parking/Location Details

APR 26, Storytelling #2, 12-2PM

Zoom follow-up workshop

Details HERE

It's one of the HOTTEST topics in the country and especially important in Florida. May's Hot Topics will be highly attended! Get registered NOW. Members, sign into the system to assure your discount. Doors will OPEN EARLY at 10:30AM!

LWVOC President Tiffany Hughes will moderate. Panelists include Amy Weintraub, reproductive rights program director at Progress Florida; Dr. Kathryn Berryman, an Orlando ob-gyn who specializes in high-risk pregnancies; Taylor Aguilera, the statewide organizing director for Floridians Protecting Freedom, the coalition behind the amendment; Kait Thomson, senior director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, and Guerdy Remy, a nurse who has a personal abortion story.

Read their complete bios HERE.

If you missed April's Hot Topics "The Unshine State," VIEW the April Hot Topics video on YouTube HERE

Read the complete RECAP here.

MAY 3, Reclaim the Freedom to Learn
The DEIA Committee invites LWVOC members to attend a National Day of Action to defend the freedom and right to learn. In solidarity with the African American Policy Forum, Florida Rising will host a virtual Lunch and Learn on May 3 from 12p-1p.

Dr. Tamika Hobbs, Historian and Author will engage attendees in a conversation about the impact of book bans on Florida's students, followed by breakout sessions to discuss how we fight back. Join us in this important effort to defend the truth while Protecting our Democracy
Please register using this link HERE.

ACCESSIBLE DEMOCRACY

On April 18, 2024, the Department of Justice issued an updated guide of The Americans with Disabilities Act and Other Federal Laws Protecting the Rights of Voters with Disabilities | ADA.gov. This guide describes the legal protections designed to allow full access to every aspect of elections, including registration and voting, for people with disabilities.

For more information on this and other new and updated guidance on voting rights, please read the press release: Office of Public Affairs | Justice Dept. Launches Updated Voting Rights and Elections website | United States Department of Justice.

What is the status of the National Popular Vote bill as of April 15, 2024?
For the 2024 Florida Legislative Session, HB67 was sponsored by Representative Mike Gottlieb, and SB 236 was sponsored by Senator Victor Torres.

The national movement looks like this to date:
18 jurisdictions have passed NPVIC.
· Total 209 electoral votes secured;
· Need 270 votes to elect the President;
· Need 61 more votes for compact to activate
For a comprehensive look at the status, visit: www.nationalpopularvote.com and our committee National Popular Vote

Nithya Kinta

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Visit our Donor page to see the many different ways you can support the League of Women Voters of Orange County.

Why Give? Your financial support fuels our mission to educate, empower, and advocate for informed and active voters. As we strive to build a democracy that works for everyone, your donation becomes a catalyst for positive change. Your gift supports:

Voter Empowerment: We are dedicated to providing unbiased and comprehensive information to voters. Your donation bolsters information and education initiatives, allowing voters to make more informed choices at the ballot box.

Civic Engagement Programs: Our community outreach and educational programs encourage active participation in civic life. Your support helps organize events and community forums that foster dialogue and engagement among community members.

Advocating for Democracy: The League of Women Voters of Orange County is a relentless advocate for policies that enhance democracy and protect the rights of all citizens. Your gift adds your voice as an advocate for positive change.

Accessible Elections: We work tirelessly to ensure that elections are accessible to all citizens. Your gift helps eliminate barriers to voting and promotes fair and inclusive elections.

Ways You Can Make a Difference

One-Time Gift: A single gift has a significant impact on our programs and initiatives.

Sustaining Gift: Join our community of sustaining donors by making a monthly, quarterly or annual commitment to support our goal for a vibrant democracy.

Corporate or Individual Sponsorship: Partner with us to promote social responsibility and contribute to the betterment of our community.

Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community.

To further explore how becoming a Hot Topics Sponsor can align with your business goals, please contact LWVOC Vice President, Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE

A range of sponsorship levels are available.