League of Women Voters of Florida
| File:LWV Logo.svg | |
| Founded | 1939 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Carrie Chapman Catt |
| Type | Political advocacy |
| Focus | Political action, responsible government |
| Location | |
Members | ~3,350 |
Key people | Pam Goodman (President) |
| Website | thefloridavoter |
The League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) is a civic organization in the state of Florida. The League's bylaws mandate that the organization will not support any candidate or party, but the League's members do advocate on policy issues.[1]
The Florida League got its official start in the state in 1939, when women in Winter Haven, Winter Park and St. Petersburg initiated the Florida League of Women Voters, following some earlier efforts. Its first project was a study of state government with a particular focus on the State's Constitution.[2] Early advocacy efforts encouraged the Florida Legislature to end the process of gerrymandering.[3] Voters approved two gerrymandering-related amendments in 2011[4] which were placed in the State Constitution.[5][6]
Thirty local Leagues statewide[7] hold candidate forums, issue an election year Voter Guide, and sponsor public forums. Pam Goodman is President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. She is the former CEO of Express Limited; [8] The current full board of directors for the Florida League includes Chuck O'Neal, First VP, Maribel Balbin, Second Vice President, Former Republican Senate Majority Leader Alex Villalobos,[9] Former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder (D), first woman elected to Congress from Colorado; former state legislator Annie Betancourt: and former Senator Paula Dockery.
Local leagues advocate and educate on policy issues. Local activism has included recommending the initiation of a recycling program in St. Petersburg;[10] supporting the Central Florida commuter rail network SunRail;[11] endorsing a court case which ended voter purges held 90 days before a federal election;[12] striking down of restrictions on volunteer voter registration efforts;[13][14] and the re-institution of early voting days and early voting on the Sunday before election day.[15]
References
- ^ "History". League of Women Voters of Florida. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Recollections : a history of the League of Women Voters of Florida 1939–1989". University of Florida Digital Collections. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Gerrymandering - Proving All Politics Is Local | Politics & Policy". Politicsandpolicy.org. 2011-05-04. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ Macnab, Deirdre (August 25, 2011). "League of Women Voters Florida: Fair districts coming to an end". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Redistricting in Florida". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "About Redistricting - The Florida Senate". Flsenate.gov. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Local Leagues". League of Women Voters of Florida. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Board of Directors 2013-2015". League of Women Voters of Florida. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Former Senator Alex Villalobos joins League of Women Voters of Florida board of directors". SaintPetersBlog. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
- ^ "St. Pete may be on road to recycling". Tbo.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "SunRail may help to create urban "villages," advocates say - Orlando Sentinel". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ Bousquet, Steve. "TALLAHASSEE: Appeals court: Florida's voter purge violated federal law - Political Currents". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "League of Women Voters of Florida v. Browning | Brennan Center for Justice". Brennancenter.org. 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ Declaration of Deirdre Macnab Submitted in Further Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction, United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
- ^ "Rick Scott Signs Law Restoring Florida's Early Voting, Limiting Ballot Length, Expanding Polling Places". Huffingtonpost.com. 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2014-04-24.