 |  NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT
The League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL), Common Cause, and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ), and Democracy Defenders Fund, filed a lawsuit May 5th, in the Judicial Circuit Court in Leon County to stop the new Florida Congressional map.
You can view the lawsuit.
The lawsuit argues the new map specifically violates the Fair Districts Amendments, which prohibit the state legislature from drawing maps that favor one political party. More than 60% of Florida voters approved the amendments in 2010.
“When a map is distributed in a red/blue format to the media before being transmitted to the Legislature, and when the Governor’s staff openly acknowledges in committee that there is no new Census data being used to justify a new map, Florida voters can’t help but suspect that this is a partisan gerrymander,” said League of Women Voters of Florida President Jessica Lowe-Minor. “Floridians have consistently said they are not interested in political gamesmanship within redistricting, which is why they passed the Fair Districts standards overwhelmingly in 2010. We hope the courts restore the rule of law and uphold the Florida Constitution’s explicit prohibition against partisan gerrymandering.”
Leon County Circuit Judge Joshua Hawkes, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Ron DeSantis, issued an order asking if any parties had arguments against consolidating three cases. He called for any briefs on the matter to be filed before the close of the business day on Wednesday.
“A response is not required as the Court will assume there is no objection to consolidation in the absence of response,” he wrote. Hawkes is set to hear a motion on Friday asking for the map to be blocked before the 2026 election.
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“STRATEGIES TO RECOVER THE FLORIDA PANTHER”
May 14 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation
On May 14, 2026, the Environmental Affairs committee will host Jason Totoiu, the Florida Policy Director and a Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. The Center for Biodiversity is devoted to saving life on Earth: protecting biodiversity in different arenas through science, legal action, policy advocacy, and negotiation with government and industry. Jason will discuss some of the challenges facing the Florida panther, the conservation opportunities provided by the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and the critical roles federal, state, and local governments all play in protecting the species. The Center for Biodiversity, with several other organizations, recently sued US Fish & Wildlife Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect the Florida Panther under the Endangered Species Act from a massive new development in the Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA). Jason will talk about this litigation. The meeting will be held at 10am at the Collier Community Foundation, 1110 Pine Ridge Rd. Suite 200. For a Zoom link, please contact Lynn Martin. | 
VOTER SERVICES "LUNCH AND LEARN"
Thursday, May 21 @ 12:30-2:00
Altavilla Pizza & Trattoria
Please come join our monthly Voter Services “Lunch & Learn” on Thursday, May 21st as we prepare for the upcoming elections in August and November. We will focus on the use of our social media and ongoing initiatives: Get Out The Vote, Vote by Mail, Tabling, Forums, Vote411 as well as the impact of organizations such as VoteRiders and FRRC. A light lunch will be served, registration is appreciated! Any questions, please contact Tina Palmese.
REGISTER
(login required) | CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH 2026
May 30 @ 1:00-5:00
Golden Gate Community Center
Please come join Voter Services as we participate in the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday May, 30th at the Golden Gate Community Center. It is a fun filled day that gives us the opportunity interact with members of our community on the importance of voting in the upcoming elections. We assist with checking voter registration and vote by mail requests as well as have great giveaways! Any questions please contact Tina Palmese.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| May 30 @ 1:00-5:00 |
Juneteenth Celebration |
| June 9 @ 5:30-7:30 |
Meet the School Board Candidates |
| June 10 @ 4:30-6:30 |
Wine & Wisdom |
| June 17 @ 4:30-7:00 |
Politics in the Park |
Visit the LWVCC Calendar for event details
| UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Check our Event Calendar for meeting locations and more information. LWVCC committee meetings are for members and their invited guests unless stated otherwise; members should log in to the website to register to get the Zoom links for committee meetings and other events. | Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
May 14 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation
Jason Totoiu, the Florida Policy Director and a Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity will present “Strategies to Recover the Florida Panther.” | Voter Services Committee Meeting
May 21 @ 12:30-2:00
Altavilla Pizza & Trattoria
“Lunch & Learn” to prepare for the upcoming elections in August and November | Board Meeting
June 3 @ 9:30-12:00
Zoom | Communications Team Meeting
June 11 @ 3:30-4:30
Zoom
| Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in Government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. Our goal is to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of Collier County does not support or endorse any candidate or political party.
| League of Women Voters of Collier County
P.O. Box 9883Naples, FL 34101
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