NOVEMBER LUNCHEON & GENERAL MEETING
November 9 @ 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Challenges Facing Collier County Public Schools
presented by
Stephanie Lucarelli
Chair, CCPS School Board
Public schools in Florida are facing many challenges, such as enrollment changes, low funding, new mandates, and competition from taxpayer-funded private schools. Stephanie Lucarelli, Chair of the Collier County School Board, will speak to these issues as they impact public schools in our district.
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If you are bringing one or more guests, please be sure to register them when you register yourself.
Registration and payment must be made online by
Tuesday, November 3 @ 12:00 PM
Walk-ins will be seated in order of arrival on a space-available basis
Late registration/walk-in price will be strictly enforced
Let's Grow Together! Bring a Friend to Our General Meetings |  NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT
According to the LWV, “We are in a constitutional crisis involving voting.” Across the nation we are finding voting rights limited and false claims of fraud. Recently in California, the DOJ identified 20,000 people whom they alleged were illegal voters. In a review of over 45 million ballots cast, there were only 25 examples of potentially illegal voting found. Just one alleged illegal vote for every 1.7 million votes. Yet there is insistence that all 20,000 not be allowed to vote, and if they vote, there is the threat of jail.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, Never give up, never give up, never, never, never, never, give up the right to vote.
On Monday, members of LWVCC attended the Interfaith Alliance’s GOTV rally as part of the national Interfaith Alliance’s cross-country bus tour, “The Vote is Sacred.” Thanks to LWVCC member Sharon Harris-Ewing for inviting us to participate. The speakers were passionate and spoke of never before seeing such a threat to voting and the need to GOTV.
On Tuesday, Tina Palmese and I tabled at FGCU. It was heartening to talk to students who were planning on voting or already had. It was disheartening to learn how many students were not yet registered or did not plan to vote. When I questioned a couple of students about why they weren’t voting, they felt their vote didn’t matter, or they didn’t support either party. So, again, I am asking you to talk to the under-50s in your sphere and encourage them to vote.
Whether you want change or to preserve the status quo, voting is the only way to make either happen.
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URGENT CALL FOR COMMENTS
The Census Bureau announced on September 10 that it is planning sweeping changes to how we count people in the census. The proposed rule would:
- Count only US citizens and green card holders
- Stop collecting any data about race or ethnicity
- Ban the collection of sexual orientation/gender from any surveys
- Create unreliable and incomplete information about inhabitants
- Erode the doctrine of representation for every person
The LWV feels it will have major adverse effects upon daily life in our democracy. Population counts will be distorted and inaccurate, and there will be reapportionment and redistricting, as well as funding changes, as a result.
The Bureau has extended the period for comments until November 2. The League of Women Voters has prepared an easy response form for us to use as individuals. We urge you to review and respond.
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Volunteer to observe the Canvassing Board for the 2026 Collier County General Election. At an open public meeting, the Canvassing Board conducts the Logic and Accuracy test of ballot processing and voting machines, reviews Vote-by-Mail (VBM) and provisional ballots, certifies the official results of the election, and observes the manual audit of a precinct/race. This is an important League service in support of our mission of free and fair elections, with interesting people who care about election security. Volunteers are needed for the following dates and times:
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Monday, November 2, 9;00-11:00 (Review of Vote-by-Mail ballots)
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Tuesday, November 3, 5:00-8:00 (Review mail-in-ballots and preliminary returns)
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Friday, November 6, 9:00-11:00 (Review of mail-in-ballots & 1st unofficial results)
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Friday, Tuesday, November 13, 5:05-6:15 (Certification of results and selection of precinct for manual audit)
- Friday, November 20, 9:00-11:30 (Manual Audit)
The meetings will be held at the office of the Supervisor of Elections, 3750 Enterprise Avenue, Naples, 34104. If you can observe one or more meetings, volunteer observers will receive background information to familiarize them with this interesting and important task.
| MOVIES THAT MATTER: FILM & DISCUSSION SERIES
Join fellow League members this October for the second thought-provoking documentaries in the Steve Brazina Memorial Movies That Matter series at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center. The event features a documentary screening, an expert panel, and a dedicated post-movie League discussion on how these critical issues tie directly into voting and democracy.
- October 28, 2:00 PM – The Grand Alliance
A powerful look at the historic civil rights alliance between Black and Jewish communities in the 1950s and 1960s. Our post-panel discussion will explore coalition-building, civil rights history, and the continuous fight to protect voting rights.
Reserve Your Spot: Admission is free, and the League has secured a reserved block of tickets. Please register in advance on the League of Women Voters of Collier County Website to secure your seat.
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VOTE411.ORG IS LIVE
Our local League of Women Voters of Collier County published its online non-partisan voter guide with all the local Nov. 3 general election races on Vote411.org. Every race on your ballot is covered - county, state and federal. The guide also has great information on ballot measures/referenda. Simply put your address into Vote411, and you’ll see what will be on your ballot, including profiles from candidates. Hear each candidates own words about their positions on the issues that face Collier citizens. Referendum questions include a discussion of the issues and what a Yes or No vote will mean. VOTE411.ORG is the League’s one-stop-shop where you can find nonpartisan voting information. Please also tell your friends, neighbors and relatives to check Vote411 before they cast their ballots – let’s all be informed voters!
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| October 28 @ 2:00-4:00 |
Movies that Matter
The Grand Alliance |
| November 9 @ 11:30-1:30 |
Luncheon & General Meeting |
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. | Board Meeting
November 4 @ 9:30-12:00
Collier Community Foundation, 2340 Vanderbilt Beach Rd Ste 401, Naples, FL 34109
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE | Plastics Task Force Meeting
November 5 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom | Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
November 12 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation, 2340 Vanderbilt Beach Rd Ste 401, Naples, FL 34109
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE | Communications Team Meeting
November 12 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom | Membership Team Meeting
November 17 @ 3:00-4:00
Zoom |
Voter Services Committee Meeting
November 19 @ 12:30-2:00
Altavilla Trattoria
| 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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