Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

We are the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County, a nonpartisan grassroots organization that encourages participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues, and influences policy through education and advocacy.

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County is a nonpartisan community organization. Our foundational principle of nonpartisanship states that 'The League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.' The League is and has always been a political organization, advocating for equitable voting access for all and working on vital issues of concern to our members and the public. We never ask our members' political affiliation when they join our organization. The League’s advocacy work is issues-based, and we arrive at our policy positions through careful study and input from our members. We never derive our positions from politicians, and even when candidates or parties support the same issue, we never endorse them."

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Vilia Johnson, LWVSRQ Co-President,
& Terri Kondos, LWV Manatee County President,
speak with Renée Gilmore about recent and
newly passed Florida laws that make voting
more difficult and they explain what voters can do
to ensure they are registered in advance of the
2026 mid-term elections.

Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport

The League of Women Voters takes action on issues after developing a position through study and consensus. We then advocate for policies, legislation, and ballot measures which we believe will serve the public interest.

On the state level, we helped collect over a million signatures to get Amendment 4 on the ballot. In SRQ, we spoke out to stop an inexperienced consulting firm, with ties to Hillsdale College, from designing the curriculum for our public schools.

EXPLORE THE ISSUES

HELP PROTECT AND EXPAND
VOTING RIGHTS
The League of Women Voters promotes electoral reforms that make voting easy, equitable, and effective at expressing the public will through election results.
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GUARANTEE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN FLORIDA
“We are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and have access to the reproductive healthcare they need.”
--Debbie Chandler, Esq. LWVFL co-president.
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ADVOCATE FOR STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Recent legislation has had a chilling effect on classroom discussion and teacher morale in the state of Florida.
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NEWSROOM

Our Observer Corps Now Covers the Sarasota County Commission!

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed
and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must
protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and
making public records accessible.

Transparency is a key tenet of the League and is often a way that LWV can weigh in on an issue, no matter how big
or small. The League has worked for the public’s right to know and for broader public participation in government
as a necessary component of decision-making at all levels of government since its founding.

Commission Observer Corps

SMH Observer Corp

School Board Report Cards

OUR LEGACY

We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. The League of Women Voters, founded by leaders of the women’s suffrage movement in 1920, has a long history of grassroots activism and shaping public policy.
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Today the League supports diversity, equity and inclusion in membership, programming, and advocacy.

"There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers."
Susan B. Anthony