by Donna Waller, President, League of Women Voters of Alachua County
The League of Women Voters of Alachua County is looking for a few (well, more than a few) good women (and men — we are into diversity) to join us in participating in the League’s 105-year mission to enroll, educate, and mobilize voters and to advocate for issues that support democracy, home rule, and political equality.
The LWV is a federated organization that is non-partisan. The state LWV is one of the most active state chapters and has led the charge for voting rights and fair districting in Florida.
In Alachua County, the League has four chapters. The League of Women Voters of Alachua County is the “mother” chapter and the largest, with over 300 members. There are chapters at both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, as well as a chapter at the Oak Hammock Retirement Community.
Since this is not an election year, all of the chapters are focused on education and are holding workshops and events to educate the public on topics such as redistricting, ballot access, and, of course, voting rights.
The LWV needs committee members. These members study problems and advocate for solutions. The Natural Resources Committee of the LWV of Alachua County is working hard to produce a high voter turnout for the referendum on returning control of GRU to the City of Gainesville, which will be the only ballot issue in November.
Our Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Committee needs people to table at events to give out information and gun locks.
Voter Services, which is the heart of LWV activity, needs folks to do, well, all of the above. For people who want to participate but have little time, the Past President, Janice Garry, created the What You Can Do Committee. (See p. 2.) It has grown so large and popular that it is moving from under the LWV umbrella to advertise a wider range of community events, but it is a valuable resource for the community (join at jgcommunity23@gmail.com). These examples only scratch the surface of LWV activity.
You can contact all the chapters electronically and join the same way. If you are a student and join through UF or SFC, the Alachua County chapter has made it possible for you to join free. Please help us stand up for democracy.
For more information, visit my.lwv.org/florida/alachua or www.facebook.com/alachuacountylwv.