WE JOIN LWVFL TO SAY 'NO' TO REDISTRICTING | League members from throughout the state joined other Floridians to attend a legislative committee hearing and oppose mid-decade redistricting. This story's author, Kate Renchin, is one of the Palm Beach County members who attended. | We weren't heard — but we were seen | Jessica Lowe-Minor, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, gathered a large group of League members from around the state — including Palm Beach County — to let our legislators know we strongly oppose mid-decade redistricting.
The Florida House Select Committee on Redistricting held its first two hearings Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 in Tallahassee. They were essentially tutorials on map drawing and election law for the legislators. Both were shortened and no time was allowed for public comment.
Nevertheless, we filled the hearing room Dec. 4, and overflowed into the hallway. We weren’t heard — but we were seen.
Lowe-Minor then recruited all of us again — to hand-deliver LWV letters against redistricting to the Florida House speaker and minority leader. We split up to deliver the same letters to each remaining House member. We reminded them all that partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional in Florida.
LWVFL is focused on countering the mid-decade redistricting effort. We left feeling satisfied that we helped represent public opinion against a costly and time-consuming redistricting process.
— Kate Renchin, Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition Co-chair
| NOMINATING COMMITTEE AT WORK ON NEXT SLATE | The Nominating Committee of the LWVPBC is assembling a slate of candidates to stand for election at the Annual Meeting in April. Those elected then will serve until April 2028.
Positions open are First Vice President, Treasurer and four Director seats. Any candidate must be a League member in good standing. Potential candidates may be peer-nominated (with full consent of the nominee) or self-nominated. In addition, nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting, with consent of the nominee.
To nominate a peer, please email your request to Nominating Committee Chair Marilyn Ricci by Jan. 9.
All nominations must be emailed and must include, besides the nominee's name, the position in question, several comments about what the nominee will bring to the table, and assurance that the nominee is in agreement.
Self-nominees, please state the position you're interested in and why — what will you bring to the table?
For election details and information about the board, please refer to the Education Fund By-Laws in the Member Resources section of LWVPBC.org.
|  | PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION | 2026 Legislative Session
Jan. 13 — March 13 | Palm Beach County Day
Two days of advocacy, collaboration and connection are set for Jan. 13 and 14 in Tallahassee. Palm Beach County Day registration ($200) is now open.
Schedule:
* Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, Welcome Gathering at the Aloft Hotel
* Wednesday, Jan. 14, Legislative Appreciation Luncheon on the 22nd floor of the Capitol, an opportunity to engage with key policymakers
* Wednesday evening, Jan. 14, Legislative Reception in the South Plaza
* Wednesday will close with a Hospitality Suite at Charlie Park, in the AC Marriott hotel.
Download the Whova app and follow it on Facebook and Instagram for updates. | THIS MONTH'S EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the details
| JANUARY MEETINGS
Members must log in to see the Zoom link. Pre-registration is not required.
|  | Florida House District 87 Special Election: Jan. 13 & March 24
This ballot will elect the successor to Rep. Mike Caruso, who resigned in August during his term to become Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller.
Primary Election: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
General Election: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
District 87 stretches along the Palm Beach County coast from Juno Beach to Hypoluxo, and includes the oceanfront barrier islands. It also includes portions of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter. If uncertain, use VOTE411.org or VotePalmBeach.gov to see if you reside in District 87.
Candidates are:
Democrats: Emily Gregory, Laura Levites
Republicans: Gretchen Feng, Jon Maples
Deadline to register to vote Jan. 13 or change party affiliation: Passed
Deadline to request a VBM ballot: Thursday, Jan. 1, by 5 p.m. *
Early voting: Saturday, Jan. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline to return your VBM ballot: Jan. 13, by 7 p.m. to the Supervisor of Elections Main Office or by 5 p.m. to an SOE Branch Office or Secure Ballot Intake Station
* Because the Elections Office is closed in observance of a holiday, voters should submit their Vote-by-Mail request before the deadline or through VotePalmBeach.gov.
All questions should be directed to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections at VotePalmBeach.gov or (561) 656-6200.
| HELP WANTED
PUBLICATIONS TEAM NEEDS CANDIDATE CONTACT PERSON
FOR MARCH 10, 2026, MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
The Publications Team is seeking volunteers to help contact candidates for the March 10, 2026, Municipal Elections and remind them to respond to our VOTE411 questionnaire. Contact Publications Chair Joyce Sullivan to volunteer.
Job Description
* Contact candidates running in the March 2026 Municipal Elections.
* Remind candidates to complete and submit answers to the questions created for their specific race.
* Questions will be sent to each qualifying candidate with a unique identification number.
* Candidates who do not respond will receive a follow-up email and, if needed, a phone call reminding them of the submission deadline.
* A contact list with candidate information will be provided.
* Training will be provided.
Qualifications
* Comfortable using Google Sheets.
* Willing to learn key facts about this election (training provided).
* Friendly, persuasive and patient communication skills — especially when working with hesitant candidates.
| Judy Giller, LWVPBC Voter Services chair, hosted a cookie exchange at her home in Boca Raton, for her team. Above: Susan LaDuca, Pam Maldonado, Nancy Ballen, Chris Allen and Rochelle Shapiro. Below; Frankie Wilson, Katie Beer and Judy Giller. | VOTER SERVICES HELPS AT SENIOR RESIDENCE | At Stratford Court retirement community in Boca Raton, Voter Services members Monica Kramer, Katherine Wagner-Reis (the team leader), Sabina Fernandez and others assisted residents with voter registration and updating their vote-by-mail applications. Photos by Libby Jacobs | Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon
Dr. André Fladell Civic Center, Delray Beach | The Membership Team invites all members to this free event to learn about our teams — such as Advocacy, National Popular Vote and Healthcare — and to get the inside scoop of the inner workings of our county from our featured speaker, Verdenia Baker, retired Palm Beach County administrator.
So plan to arrive in time to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry so you can be a part of this informative and enjoyable event.
— Donna Colabella, Membership Co-Chair | SAVE THE DATE
April 11 — Taste of the League
| A WARM-HEARTED WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Deborah Shulman (Palm Beach Gardens), Melissa Casteel (Palm Beach Gardens), Wendy Jones (Boynton Beach), Audrey Allen (Boynton Beach), Lisa Brateman (Boynton Beach), Cindy Rhodes (Boynton Beach), Sunny Hunt (Boynton Beach), Jeanne Langford (Boca Raton), Paula Robbins (Boca Raton), Andrea Sandahl (West Palm Beach), Debra Moore (Lantana), Ebonie Taylor (Riviera Beach), Jillian Rodriguez (Loxahatchee) and Rachel Paul (Royal Palm Beach).
— Linda Sorenson, Membership
| NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE | ICYMI: STREAM UNITE AND RISE 8.5 VIDEO SERIES
In three episodes, LWV CEO Celina Stewart brings together leading thinkers and movement buildings for candid conversations.
Episode 1: Dr. Erica Chenoweth, political scientist and author of Bread and Roses: Women on the Frontlines of Revolution
Episode 2: Sheila Katz, former CEO of the National Council for Jewish Women and incoming Chief Jewish Life Officer at Jewish Federations, and Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council for Negro Women
Episode 3: Jahnavi Rao, founder of Young Voters | TOP 5 LWV EFFORTS OF 2025
LWV sharpened its systems from all angles to best equip supporters as they empowered voters. These represent a fraction of its work.
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