It was a great turnout at Tuesday's LWVOC Showcase and New Member Welcome. If you missed it but want to get your advocacy journey started, consider visiting our Committees page to learn more about the many groups ready to welcome your input. Shown below at the Showcase, top l-r: Jane Hursh, Gina Hall, Kathy Sheerin, Kathy Schmitz, Jasmine Glass, Samantha Tucker; bottom l-r: Nancy Galyean, Katie Sanders, Barbara Knapp, Adrienne Katz-Katz, and Carol Wonsavage (event photographer) | Questions about your membership? CONTACT Operations Manager Katie Sanders for assistance. | OCT 7 Letter to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel by Leaguer Marilyn Baldwin, shown above at a voting machine demo at the SOE Office
Support voting rights for people with disabilities
"As the Nov. 3 election nears, it’s a good time for us to understand the challenges faced by our friends and colleagues who live with disabilities.
I can remember how excited I was to vote for the first time. I am legally blind with limited vision, and my mother helped me proudly cast my first ballot in 1976. The Help America Vote Act, passed in 2002, granted all citizens with disabilities the legal right to vote independently." Continue reading Marilyn's letter HERE. And next Thursday, OCT 15, experience "another world" literally by taking part in the 2026 Blind Experience in Winter Park RSVP HERE. |  |  |
Next week, we'll be questioning WHAT is making the voting public so anxious? HOW will it affect the election outcome? WHEN did you notice the tone change? Plus much more.
JOIN US for a unique conversation about the mindset of anxiety that is surrounding the upcoming mid-term election. Panelists joining us include:
- Brad Ashwell, Florida state director of All Voting is Local Florida
- Laudi Campo, Florida state director of the Hispanic Federation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the Hispanic community.
- Nick Shannin, General Counsel, Orange County Supervisor of Elections and Founder of the Shannin Law Firm
- Sandi Vidal-Moderator, vice president of community strategies and initiatives, Central Florida Foundation and former LWVOC Co-President
| | LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS
Following the OCT 14 program, Hot Topics Overtime session will be held 1:15-2:00 p.m. upstairs at the events center and will include a presentation about the three state constitutional amendments on the ballot and a proposed extension of the half-cent sales tax for Orange County public education. | | | Every conversation matters. Every volunteer matters. And every voter we reach helps build a stronger, more representative democracy.~Kay Hudson | | On Tuesday October 6, LWVOC members celebrated National Night Out (NNO) at the Orange County Multicultural Center with residents of the Pine Hills Community. The event was hosted by the Pine Hills Community Center and the staff of the PHCC and of the OC Multicultural Center were presented a participation award by OC Sheriff John Mina. LWVOC members Saudi Ellis and Jennifer Willman volunteered for voter outreach and were joined by Leaguer Cherlynn Williams who was volunteering with our outreach partner, Central FL Section of the National Council of Negro Women. There were great games for the kids, food, music, and community resource vendors! Shown above top l-r: Daisy Townsend, Saudi Ellis, Cherlynn Williams Jennifer Willman, OC Multicultural Ctr.; bottom l-r: participation presentation, Saudi Ellis, Sheriff John Mina | | WANT to get involved in community outreach like the Leaguers above? VIEW the volunteer options below. If you haven't volunteered before but are curious and have "how to" questions, each opportunity has a CONTACT person. Reach out to them and they can answer your questions and make sure that you're paired with a more experienced member to get started on your advocacy journey. | | VOLUNTEERS
>>OCT 11 The Mills 50 Fall Fest held at the House on Lang. Great outreach for the Zillenial-MIllenial generation!
>>OCT 13 Link Up The Vote Town Hall We will provide voter outreach and promote the League at this nonpartisan town hall with local candidates, The Link members, and community members. Hosted Orlando Chapter of Links Incorporated.
>>OCT 18 Hunter's Creek Farmers Market At this outdoor event, we will have a table to register voters and provide voter education/information. 500 expected at this market held monthly hosted by The Charities of Hunters Creek. | >>OCT 18 Senior Ministries Workshop Mt. Sinai SDA Church is hosting a Senior Ministries Workshop "Crossing the Line Again" about voting; other churches invited to attend. We will give a presentation (Speakers Bureau) and have a table to provide information.
>>OCT 24 Backyard Biodiversity Day This will be an important opportunity to encourage attendees to VOTE EARLY!
This is a free, family-friendly annual event at Mead Gardens. | | |  | The LWVOC sponsored candidate forums are available to help you choose your candidate!
Five Orange County Districts will decide on a new (or re-elected) commissioner. You can watch candidates answer tough questions as well as learn about their visions for their districts and the county. Also included is the Orange County mayoral forum at Hot Topics and the final undecided Ninth Circuit Judge, Group 1.
*Quick viewing TIP! When you've clicked on the video, scroll down and also click TRANSCRIPT. You can follow along and SEARCH for keywords and it will take you to the part of the video you want. For example, if you put "development" in the transcript's search bar, the video will move forward or backwards to the candidates discussing their views on local development in rural or urban areas. #nowyouknow | | |  | |
Louise Sprimont
Rick Hoepner
Elisabeth Dang
Julie Wargo
Ann Ballentine
Bruce Antone
Zoya Bajwa
Jaynise Santiago
Victoria Godio | | | |
The DEIA Committee invites League members to join us for the Come Out With Pride Parade around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando on Oct 17 at 4p .
Let’s have fun, celebrate community and inclusion, and show our League spirit! 💙
Bring your smiles, your energy, and your pride. We’d love to have you, your neighbors and friends march with us. Prefer to ride and cheer? We've got you covered. We'll have a League float with chairs as an option.
| | | | GOING to the No Kings Rally before the parade? Look for our Co-President Kathy Schmitz who will be speaking at the event which takes place that morning, Saturday-OCT 17, from 11am - 1pm! Shown below, pics from last year's events! |  | We're celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Unidos, Somos Más
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility Committee encourages all to continue celebrating the rich histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors whose families and roots come from across Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and beyond. This year’s theme, “Unidos, Somos Más” — “Together, We Are More,” reminds us that our community is stronger when everyone feels welcome and has a voice. Celebrate and participate in local celebrations such as Orlando Latino Fest and the City of Orlando’s Hispanic Heritage Month events.
And remember...Your Voice Matters. Your Vote matters.
If you are a U.S. citizen eligible to vote, learn about the issues and candidates at Vote411.org and make your voice heard. Whether you are a lifelong Floridian, a naturalized citizen, or part of an immigrant family, you belong here, and your participation strengthens our democracy. ¡Unidos, Somos Más! | | We made it into the Rollins school newspaper!
"To cut through the noise, the Democracy Project partnered with the League of Women Voters of Orange County, a local chapter of the national League of Women Voters based right here in Winter Park. “[It’s] one thing to vote and another thing to know what you’re voting for,” said Matthew Ewy (’28). Keep reading HERE! | | | 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. | |