League of Women Voters of Florida Education

Following each national census, maps determining districts for Florida state and u.s. congressional are updated. The organization was instrumental, working with partners, to educate Voters and, perhaps surprisingly, state legislators about Florida's laws governing the redistricting process. A study was commissioned to better understand how districts could be drawn to comply with the fair districts amendment to the state constitution and federal requirements. The speaker's bureau prepared presentations that were given by the organization's president and local leaders to interested parties throughout the state. Outreach efforts included "edutainment" events featuring entertainment and education targeted at underserved communities. The League's opinions on how redistricting could be improved to comply with the laws was promoted through the media, including op-ed articles and video interviews broadcast and on-line.

The organization supports local leagues by acting as a fiscal agent for charitable contributions and disbursing these to meet local priorities. A significant part of the revenue and spending this year relates to grants received by the st. petersburg League from charitable foundations. During the fiscal year, the st. petersburg League established a 501(c)(3) corporation and the state League transferred remaining funds not expended for grants and donations to this new entity.

Voter services programs are fundamental to the organization's mission, although activities ebb and flow with the election cycles. Even though this fiscal year did not include state-wide elections, preparations began to implement vote 411 to educate Voters about candidate positions, state constitutional amendments, voter registration and key dates. In addition, the organization benefited from League of Women Voters of the united states grants targeted towards making democracy work.

This year the organization's activities continued to support returning citizens, those who have completed a felony sentence, to restore their voting rights. A grant specific to these activities helped educate returning citizens of their rights and to connect them with resources to help determine the facts regarding their eligibility.

Multiple smaller programs comprise this item. The organization's staff identified topics, arranged speakers and moderated bi-weekly lunch and learn webinars. These webinars focused on the League's program priorities and current issues of interest to the membership. The speaker's bureau volunteers continued their efforts to create and update presentations that were distributed to local League leaders to educate members and interested groups on many topics. A small grant was received targeted to covid education that was implemented by the organization's staff.