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Florida Politicians Should Not Be Choosing Their Own Voters ~ April 7 Op-Ed, Co-President Rev. Kathy Schmitz
Later this month, the Florida Legislature will consider taking dangerous action — redrawing our state’s congressional maps outside of the normal constitutionally mandated process. This isn’t just a procedural quirk; it wastes taxpayer money, and violates the Florida Constitution, and ignores the clear will of the people.
In 2010, Florida voters sent a clear message to Tallahassee by passing Amendments 5 and 6, also called the “Fair Districts” Amendments. Our state Constitution now specifically states that “Congressional districts or districting plans may not be drawn to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party.”
Continue reading Kathy's Op-Ed, reposted from the Orlando Sentinel HERE.
| WHAT CAN YOU DO?!
- Speak up! The Special Session on Redistricting is still scheduled for April 20-24. Contact them at Find Your Representative HERE.
- Attend special Zoom session, Say No to Mid-Decade Redistricting in Florida, on Wed. April 15th at 7:00 PM. RSVP today: bit.ly/LWVFL_RedistrictingWebinar
- Refresh your memory about the details and consequences of mid-cycle redistricting by exploring our Hot Topics RECAP here.
- Invite a friend and attend the ENGAGE session detailed below!
|  | | APRIL 16, 6-8pm
League leaders will be in attendance. Join them! Central Florida Public Media is hosting an Engage in Community experience focused on redistricting and how district lines are drawn, what they mean for representation, and how they can shape communities like ours here in Central Florida.
The evening will include hands-on activities followed by a guided discussion with local experts, including Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida, Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington, and Amy Keith of Common Cause Florida. Details HERE |  |  |  | HOT TOPICS--The hot topic was very serious yesterday, Why Immigrant Rights Matter to Us All, and yet the mood veered toward hopeful. That probably had a lot to do with being inspired by the "Singing Resistance" led by Pastor Sarah Robinson (shown lower right) as well as having Sister Gail Grimes and Sister Ann Kendrick (top right) from Hope CommUnity Center in attendance. Panelists shown above left (Kathy Schmitz, Ericka Gomez-Tejada, Josephine Arroyo, Ryan Gillespie, Kate Rodriguez, Jane Hursh) offered their insights and suggestions for calls to action. Leaguers lower left: Ann Murrah, Stephanie Vanos, Scott Hottenstein RECAP coming soon! Enjoy Sue Foreman's Photo Album HERE
| | |  | | When everyday Americans are tightening their belts, why isn’t Washington doing the same? Kam Shenai examines the federal budget through the eyes of working families and reveals the uncomfortable truth about our nation’s growing debt and misplaced priorities.
| | It's time for our 2026 Annual Meeting, April 11, 9am-noon
Log in and REGISTER HERE
*Non-members are welcome to attend but may not speak or vote on League business.
SPECIAL GUEST joining us remotely: LWVFL President Jennifer Lowe-Minor
We will be transacting business as required in our bylaws, celebrating the accomplishments of our League and the hard work of our members. | | | | M. Gail Silver
Joyce Romano
Alexandra Green
Patrice Knowles
Deborah Ofsowitz
| | | Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet Emma Boggs Tena McGuff Diana Couch
Karan Kirby Kellie Welsh Brooke Charlan Carol Ferrer
Share this newsletter and encourage your friends and family to JOIN HERE
*Current members, don't forget that you'll be renewing through our national LWVUS site! Watch your email for reminders! | | |  |
>>Click How to Volunteer video for easy instructions! Volunteer opportunities are open to League members only.
Hot Topics Merch Table
Once a month, come a little early to Hot Topics to set up and manage a table selling our League branded merchandise. Upcoming opportunities in MAY.
Hot Topics Audio/Visual and Photography Help
The Hot Topics Committee needs your technical expertise. If you're comfortable (or ready to learn) using programs that control audio/visuals, we need you. Our current guru has done the hard work already and he can teach you how to manage the programs on a League laptop during Hot Topics.
PHOTOGRAPHER needed for Hot Topics! Once a month, we need your photography skills (hobbyists are welcome)!
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Voter Info/Registration Community Events
Observer Corps
Volunteers observe council meetings (via Zoom or in person) and submit for Gov. committee. Check the Volunteer page for Apopka.
NEEDED: Voter Outreach volunteers who speak Spanish or Haitian Creole!! Please contact>> Saudi Ellis
Speakers always needed to handle our public outreach. We offer different topics and our Speaker's Bureau committee is happy to train you. For more information, contact Chairperson Jean Yglesias lwvocspeakers@gmail.com
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If you'd like to join them, click on the link above and get started with a fulfilling and inspiring advocacy journey. |  | Join Global Peace 360 at the Winter Park Library during National Library Week for a special Indie Lens Pop Up screening of The Librarians, a film directed by Kim A. Snyder that shines a spotlight on the importance of public libraries in our public discourse.
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Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community and we have a range of sponsorship levels available. To further explore how to become a sponsor, please contact LWVOC Vice President and Fund Development Chair Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE
|  |  |  |  | LWVOC is a 501(c)(3 )tax-exempt organization and your gift is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a gift as a deduction on your taxes, please keep your email gift receipt as your official record. The receipt is sent to you upon successful completion of your donation.
A copy of the official registration and financial information for LWVOC, a Florida based nonprofit organization (Registration No. CH26900) may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free 1-800-435-7352 within the state or visiting their website at fdacs.gov/CONSUMERSERVCES. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. | |