All Vote-by-Mail Requests Expired January 1, 2023

Renew Your Requests Now!

As of January 1, 2023, all vote-by-mail requests in Florida expired. There are no exceptions. To get a mail ballot going forward, you must submit a new request. You can renew online or by phone. 

Renew Online
You can quickly submit a new request online at voteseminole.org/vote-by-mail for Seminole County. 

Renew by Phone
You can also call the supervisor of elections office and renew by phone. Call 407-585-8683 for Seminole County (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday).

Dear League Members,

We are off to a great year as we make every effort to “Empower Voters and Defend Democracy.” Last month we communicated with our Seminole County delegates and hosted an outstanding forum and Hot Topic presentation.

League members attended the Seminole County Delegation meeting on January 11^th at the Seminole County Services Building. Vice President, Cathy Swerdlow, addressed the delegation on key points related to reducing gun violence.

On January 18^th we hosted a Women’s Reproductive Rights Forum via zoom, with panelists, Anna Eskamani, Florida State House Representative, District 42, Dr. Cori Baill, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Central Florida and Amy Weintraub, Progress Florida. View Recording

We concluded last month’s activities on January 26^th hosting Grant Maloy, Seminole County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. He provided an outstanding presentation on the responsibilities of the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller for Seminole County.

Link to PowerPoint Presentation 

February is Black History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.  Our League has chosen to educate our community on the accomplishments of retired Florida Supreme Court Judge, James E. C. Perry, on February 16^th, at the First United Methodist Church, in Sanford. Register Here   

In preparation for the upcoming Florida Legislative session, Jennifer Adams, Executive Director of Florida Community Partners, will discuss “The Legislative Process and Advocacy.” This is our February 23^rd Hot Topic held at the Patio Grill.  Register Here

Lastly, it is with a sad heart that I share the news that our friend and colleague, DeDe Schaffner has died. She was a long time member of our  League and a stalwart member of the Education Committee. DeDe will be missed. 

I hope to see you at one or more of our upcoming events, as we continue our work "empowering voters and defending democracy."  

Geraldine D. Wright, EdD

President, LWV Seminole

Black History Month

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

You do not need to login to our website to RSVP and attend. The login section is for members, so that it autofill’s their information in for them. But you can type in your name and information to RSVP without being a member. There is no cost to attend.

After the event: If you took quality photos or videos and want to share them, please email them to us.   Email your photos 

Click Here to RSVP

ACTION ALERT

The League of Women Voters of Florida 

 Urges Florida to Accept AP African American Studies!

Presently, Florida offers AP courses in European History, AP Japanese Language & Culture, as well as AP German Language and Culture, yet the course on AP African American studies is rejected. 

Read the complete AP AF Studies Curriculum HERE as supplied by NBC News.

Click to use this link to an automated tool enabling you to send an opposition letter NOW.

February Hot Topic - Held at the Patio Grill

Become Engaged and Informed Citizens 

The Florida Legislative Session starts the first week in March, and it is important for everyone to understand the process and your role in advocating for legislation that supports your values.

Rumors are flying regarding potential legislation that could change our lives dramatically in the future, so being educated on the process and staying current on legislative proposals is imperative. Our speaker, Jeniffer Adams, addresses the process and the advocacy role you can play.  

Details and Registration Here

In Memorium Deanne "DeDe" Schaffner

With deep sadness we share that long time League member, Deanne “DeDe” Schaffner, died on January 27, 2023.  She held many positions in our League and played a significant role advocating for education in Seminole County for the past 40 years.

From 1999 to 2005 she was a member of the Seminole State Board of Trustees serving as chair from 1999 to 2001. DeDe was also a co-founder of the Foundation for Seminole State College’s Dream Gala and established an endowed scholarship to support the Rising Achiever Program she helped create.

Her service reached well beyond our League and Seminole State. She served as a member of Seminole County School Board and was active with Leadership Seminole and Rotary Club among many others. “There was hardly an organization in Seminole County that did not benefit from DeDe’s commitment to education and community,” said Seminole State President Dr. Georgia Lorenz.  

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Northland Church, 522 Dog Track Rd, Longwood, FL 32750.

Legislative Committee Update

Six members of our League attended the Seminole County delegation meeting on January 11, 2023. Our Vice President, Cathy Swerdlow, made an excellent three minute presentation on the Leagues’ position on gun violence prevention. Her presentation was well received by the public audience, and it was one of only three speeches that received applause that day!

A lunch following the meeting was held at “Shantell’s Just Until” restaurant. League members attending the lunch were Cathy Swerdlow, Zelda Ladan, Anna Thoma, Pat Southward, Rebekah Richey, Deb Carswell, pictured here with Shantell, the restaurant owner. 

Cathy Swerdlow and Deb Carswell also met with Senator Jason Brodeur’s aide and newly elected Representative Susan Plasencia in their offices, presenting the 2023 Legislative priorities of the League of Women Voters of Florida.

Sharon Lynn, Pat Southward and Deb Carswell are scheduled to meet with Representative David Smith in February. The Orange County League met with the other representatives for districts primarily in Orange County.

New Storage Space!!

We’ve moved to a bigger storage space… there’s now room to stand up!

If you have any shelving in good condition that you would like to donate, or if you have LWV materials at your home that should be in the storage unit, contact Cathy Swerdlow.

LWVSC Name Badges

Would you like to have a name badge for when you attend LWV events? Or would you like to have one with the new LWV logo on it? If you are a board member, you can request the badge with your position on it, such as Voter Registration Chair or Secretary. Otherwise, it will have your name along with the current LWV logo on it. The cost for a badge is $10.00.

If you are interested, please let Lynn Fenster know by emailing her at [email protected] or telling her at an upcoming Hot Topic.

LWV Seminole Home Page

Click Here for more information.