PBC PROGRAM INFORMS LEAGUERS AROUND NATION
| Many participants cite desire to form local observer corps | Nearly 100 Leaguers from across the United States participated in Advocacy Chair Rich Bartholomew’s July 14 webinar, Monitoring & Interacting with Public Officials and their Staff. It was very well received by many of the 96 live attendees and 35 others who watched the recording later.
In addition to chairing the Advocacy Committee, Bartholomew, of Jupiter, also is a member of the Voting Rights Coalition of Palm Beach County. He has been a local League member since 2017, and has monitored various local communities, officials and the Florida Legislature for many years. His Zoom presentation included the two tasks of monitoring — observing official activities and reporting relevant information — based on his extensive experience and insights.
The largest group of webinar participants was from Florida, but local leagues in California, Colorado and North Carolina also were well represented. LWVPBC received many emails of thanks for setting up the presentation as well as many accolades for the information Rich presented.
This presentation was offered to League members throughout the country using ClubExpress and who wanted insights on setting up an Observer Corps/Monitoring group. All who registered received an email the day after the Zoom with a link to the presentation that they can share with others league members, several PowerPoint slides from Rich's presentation and a link to the LWVUS Resource Guide for Starting an Observer Corps. | |
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Your voice matters,
and we're listening | | | Thank you for sharing your feedback. Our recent member survey brought us invaluable insights from 92 of you, representing voices from across Palm Beach County. What struck me most was not just the 82 percent satisfaction rate — though that's encouraging — but the thoughtful, specific feedback you shared about how we can better serve our mission together.
You've told us you want more educational programming and panels, better geographic representation across our county and stronger connections with our broader community.
I also heard your concerns about maintaining our nonpartisan commitment — a cornerstone of who we are as the League of Women Voters. Let me be clear: our dedication to nonpartisan civic engagement isn't negotiable, and every decision we make will continue to honor that principle while we work to build bridges across our diverse community.
Over the coming months, you'll see us implementing changes that directly reflect what you've shared, from rotating meeting locations to expanding our Hot Topics format and developing authentic partnerships that strengthen our credibility as a trusted, nonpartisan voice.
Your feedback is already shaping our board discussions and strategic planning, because a League that truly serves its members must first genuinely listen to them.
— Amy Kemp‚ President
| DYNAMIC TEAM TO ORGANIZE 2026 FUNDRAISER
| I'm thrilled to share some wonderful news about our upcoming annual fundraiser luncheon. Rebecca Cohen has graciously accepted the role of chair, with Debbie Chandler as co-chair for next year's event. I could not be more excited about this dynamic leadership team.
Rebecca brings tremendous passion and dedication to everything she does for the League, and her organizational skills and community connections will be invaluable. Debbie's experience and deep commitment to our mission make her the perfect complement as co-chair. Together, they represent the kind of engaged, visionary leadership that will elevate our fundraiser to new heights of success.
I also want to recognize the tremendous work that Linda Kramer and Janet Elinoff have done to help us get to this point, for next year’s event and previous events. Their efforts in organizing processes have been absolutely essential. We're fortunate they will continue to be part of our fundraising team, working alongside Rebecca and Debbie to ensure continuity and leverage the excellent groundwork they've laid.
Please join me in thanking Rebecca and Debbie for stepping into these leadership roles, and Linda and Janet for their continued dedication to this important effort.
— Amy Kemp, President | CHANDLER HELPS LOG WIN FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County member Debbie Chandler, past co-president of LWVFL and a former criminal defense attorney, was part of a small group of attorneys that created a standard jury instruction for use in returning citizen voter fraud cases in Florida. Chandler was appointed to the panel by the president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, of which she is a member.
The League has had a member on NACDL’s committee for The Criminalization of Voting Rights since it’s inception in 2023. The committee was formed to assist in the defense of returning citizens facing prosecution for registering to vote and voting after the passage of Amendment 4 in 2018. While the initial focus was on Florida, the committee works across the nation to combat the criminalization of voting rights.
Chandler proposed the idea of collaborating on the problem of returning citizen arrests — on charges of improperly registering and voting — in Florida to NACDL’s president in early 2023. To her surprise, a committee was being formed for that purpose and Chandler was asked to join it. The lawyers from NACDL assisted Florida defense attorneys with training, proposed motions and other legal assistance. It provided free legal services to many returning citizens and assisted in the dismissal of several Florida voting prosecution cases.
Noticing a lack of standard jury instructions in these cases, a sub-committee of a few Florida attorneys crafted a proposed instruction, which the Florida Supreme Court accepted. In Florida, juries find the facts, but the judges explain the law. Having a standard jury instruction ensures the law is explained and applied uniformly across the state. Bravo! | A LEGACY OF DEDICATION AND SERVICE | Phyllis Applebaum celebrated for leadership of Voter Services | After years of exceptional leadership, Phyllis Applebaum, the retiring chair of the Voter Services committee, was honored at a gathering of more than 40 people who came together to celebrate her unwavering dedication to making sure that everyone can vote and that every vote counts.
As chair, Phyllis worked tirelessly to educate voters, organize registration drives, train and re-train voter registrars, as well as teaching computer skills one-on-one when needed. She always encouraged new members to jump in and “get their hands dirty,” learning on the job under the supervision of an experienced team leader. The number of events Voter Services handles yearly has grown enormously, despite constantly having to adapt to new, increasingly restrictive regulations coming out of each legislative session.
At the celebration, colleagues and friends shared stories of Phyllis’ contributions, reflecting on her kindness, determination and passion for our work. We wish her all the best in her retirement and thank her for her invaluable service. We know that her husband, Joe, and Bo, her Persian cat, will be happy to have more attention from her.
— Pamela Maldonado, Voter Services
| IN MEMORIAM: STATE REP. JOE CASELLO | Florida District 90 Rep. Joe Casello, the 2024-25 chair of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, died July 18. In 2021, he co-sponsored HB 79, which established Florida’s Purple Alert system that helps locate missing adults with cognitive, developmental or emotional disabilities who are not covered by the state’s Silver Alert system. His career also included serving as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force, a firefighter in Massachusetts, an electrician and a city commissioner in Boynton Beach. He was term limited, and had planned a run for Palm Beach County Commission. A special election primary for his seat will be held Sept. 30, with a general election Dec. 9, if needed. Article. | | | PBC League member Jan Courte, of Wellington, died at her home June 21. She was a member of the Voter Services committee, and helped with registration drives at high schools and senior living facilities. She also served as a Vitas hospice chaplain. She worked on Wall Street, toured Europe, lived in Greece and Israel, farmed on a kibbutz, worked at an archaeological dig, served as a cantorial soloist, and, of course, volunteered. She was buried at Palm Eastern Cemetery in Las Vegas. Her family has requested memorial contributions to the League of Women Voters, among other organizations. Obituary.
| | | PUBLICATION 'TECHS'-PERTS |  | | Becky Haltermon Robinson |  | Kris Serbesoff-King | | |
Voters' Guide sees Team Leader change | Our gratitude to Becky Haltermon Robinson, an invaluable part of the LWVPBC Publications team, who moves to Los Angeles this month with her family. For a decade she has been the technical team leader for our printed Voters’ Guide and for the local portion of the national League’s Vote411 website. We wish her much happiness in her new life and community.
And with great relief from our team and leadership, our gratitude also goes to Kris Serbesoff-King, who is stepping up to take over Becky’s role. For the past two Voters’ Guides/Vote411 cycles, Kris has served as leader of the candidate team, which contacts and follows up with all the local candidates from included elections and reminds them (sometimes several times) to fill out our e-questionnaires, as well as researches their social media.
This is all done so we can publish our printed Voters’ Guide ahead of the Midterm Elections and the General Election. In addition to Becky and Kris, I would like to thank all the other team leaders for this effort: Maria Velez, production and graphics; Christene Campbell-Gabor, distribution; Rebecca Cohen, candidate questions; and Carol Carnevale, research and editing. Most of these leaders manage their own teams of volunteers.
— Joyce Sullivan, Publications Chair and First Vice President | Help Common Cause vote-by-mail phonebank | Interested LWVPBC members are encouraged to participate. The League of Women Voters of Florida is partnering with Common Cause Florida to call (less engaged) inactive voters in one priority county to remind them to request their vote-by-mail ballot for elections in 2025 and 2026.
You may sign up for one day or all three. Select “League of Women Voters of Florida” as your organization. We are seeking volunteers to make calls on:
* Monday, Aug. 4, from 2:30-3:30pm ET
* Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5:30-6:30pm ET
* Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 5:30-6:30pm ET
No phone banking experience is necessary and training will be provided. You can make calls from anywhere in Florida. We are encouraging inactive voters to sign up for vote-by-mail, which will 1) move them to active status and 2) ensure they receive vote-by-mail for elections in 2025-26. You may call from the comfort of your home, gathered virtually on Zoom. Please plan to use your home or cellphone. Otherwise, learn how to set up a Google number. It will be helpful to have two devices: your phone and a computer or tablet.
Sign up to volunteer.
— Judy Giller, Voter Services Chair
| 'Petition Chase' phonebank seeks help
| Interested LWVPBC members can help make follow-up phone calls — from home, and on their own schedules — to Florida voters who have been mailed a Medicaid Expansion petition, asking them to sign and return it. This petition drive, seeking a state constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid that would be on Floridians’ 2026 ballot, is run by Florida Decides Healthcare. Even an hour of calls over the next few weeks can make a huge difference. Sign up to volunteer.
— Judy Giller, Voter Services Chair
| UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the event
| SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE WINS AWARDS | The Palm Beach County Elections Office earned two national awards and an honorable mention from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the most of any Florida county at this year’s award reception:
* Outstanding Use of HAVA Grants for deploying ExpressVote ballot-marking devices at all Early Voting sites. Traditionally used only by voters with disabilities, ExpressVote devices now enhance the experience for all voters by reducing errors and improving accuracy.
* Creative and Original “I Voted” Stickers for newly created braille stickers distributed during the 2024 General Election.
* Honorable mention for a custom Election Day mobile app, which improved communication with polling locations to ensure faster response and smoother operations.
In addition, Supervisor Wendy Link was selected as one of the 2025 Emerald Award Honorees by the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, honoring women who exemplify leadership.
The Palm Beach County Elections Team also was recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants with three national Pollie Awards, known as the "Oscars" of political communications:
* GOLD – Best New & Unusual Tactic: "Vote On Your Time" Early Voting Appointment System
* SILVER – Best Field Collateral: "Feel the Vote" Braille ‘I VOTED’ Sticker
* BRONZE – Best Grassroots Program: "Today’s Special" TakeOut Stickers distributed via local restaurants and food trucks
|  | Do you need a LVWPBC name tag? | If you would like to purchase a LWVPBC name tag to wear to our events, or even have a spare to keep in your car's glove box, it's easy as 1-2-3-4. After you log into LWVPBC.org
1. Click on "Member Resources"
2. Then click on "Submit"
3. Next, "Name Tag Order"
4. Lastly, click on the name tag picture and you are set to order.
These are magnetic (they won't ruin your shirt) and easy to put on. Most important, they'll help others get to know you better.
— Donna Colabella, Membership Co-Chair | A warm-hearted welcome to our newest members | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Bruce Linser (Atlantis), Joyce Mauney (Delray Beach), Jacelyn Mijares (Boca Raton), Barry Trilling (West Palm Beach), Susan Trilling (West Palm Beach), Arthur Levin (Delray Beach), Phyllis Jepson (West Palm Beach), Barbara Richardson (West Palm Beach), Elizabeth Marshall (Palm Beach), Kathleen Polly (Boca Raton), Anne Pepper (Palm Beach) and Kimberly Riehn (Palm Beach).
— Linda Sorenson, Membership
| NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE | 'TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN OUR DEMOCRACY'
LWV Supports Senate Introduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
| KEEP COURTHOUSE DOORS OPEN TO VOTERS
LWV Files SCOTUS Amicus Brief to Preserve Access to Justice for Voting Rights Groups
| 'ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE' ELECTION SECURITY
Inappropriate and Concerning: Statement on DOJ Voter Data and Election Machine Requests
| COURT STRIKES SOME ANTI-VOTER PROVISIONS
League of Women Voters of Florida and LULAC Secure Narrow Preliminary Injunction in Ballot Initiative Case
| HOW VOTERS CAN FIGHT BACK
Why local elections are critical to democracy
|  | Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy. As a nonpartisan organization, the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is dedicated to ensuring that every vote counts and that voter turnout continues to grow through robust registration and education efforts.
We’d love your help in expanding our reach by spreading the word about our social media presence. Please take a moment to like or follow our pages, and encourage others in your networks to do the same. Staying connected online helps us amplify our impact and keep our community informed about upcoming events, voter resources, and important advocacy work.
Here are our official social media pages:
🔗 LinkedIn: League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County
📸 Instagram: @lwvpalmbeachcounty
🎵 TikTok: @lwvpbc
📘 Facebook: LWV Palm Beach County
Your engagement makes a difference. Thank you for helping us strengthen democracy here in Palm Beach County.
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