MUNICIPAL CANDIDATE FORUMS BEGIN | Ken Thomas, chair of LWVPBC candidate forums, moderates in Juno Beach, where voters will select a mayor and two Town Council members on March 10. Candidates present were, from left: Elaine Cotronakis and Dave Santilli, for mayor; and Eddie Gottschalk, Marianne Hosta and Scott Shaw, for Town Council. Council candidate Max Fraser was away. Video. | LWVPBC MODERATES FIRST OF SEASON IN JUNO BEACH | LWVPBC held its first Candidate Forum of 2026 in Juno Beach on Jan. 27, at the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. Loggerhead Fitness helped sponsor the event and provided refreshments thanks to local Juno Beach businesses. Town residents will select a mayor and two council members when they go to the polls March 10.
The forum was conducted by our chair, former LWVPBC president Ken Thomas, who moderated it with civility, grace and dignity. Marcia Halpern organized all the cards with questions from Juno residents. Debbie Chandler and Katie Beers were our timers. Keeter Martinson was a greeter and filled in wherever needed. Joyce Sullivan, first vice president, was the glue holding us all together with enthusiasm and energy.
There were approximately 100 residents in the room, along with local politicos, members of the press and videographers. Attendees gave positive feedback as they left. It was an evening where our League shined in doing what we do best, “Defend Democracy and Educate Voters.” The League never endorses candidates or political parties, either at these forums or in our printed and online informational election materials.
Our next Candidate Forum will be Monday Feb. 9, at the Palm Beach Gardens Library, co-sponsored by the Palm Beach Gardens Historical Society.
— Linda Kramer, LWVPBC Administrative Assistant
|  | About 100 people attended the Juno Beach Candidate Forum,
held at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. | LEAGUE PRESIDENT TO KEYNOTE BENEFIT | Inspirational Dianna Wynn epitomizes our mission, values | Our Gala Fundraiser is only a month away. It promises to be a fun-filled event with a fantastic speaker, fabulous auction items and a few surprises — such as free parking thanks to a special donor. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and join League members and guests at the Downtown Marriott.
Our featured speaker, Dianna Wynn, President of the League of Women Voters of the United States, has been a remarkable force in the realm of civic engagement and voter advocacy. With a background rooted in both public service and community activism, she has dedicated her career to promoting democratic values and empowering voters across the nation. She has led LWVUS for almost two years, helping members grieve the passing of our former president, Dr. Deborah Turner, while leading chapters through the difficult process of implementing a new membership system.
Before assuming the presidency, Dianna's extensive experience in both the public and private sectors provided her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing American democracy. Her leadership is marked by a steadfast commitment to nonpartisan advocacy and an unwavering belief in the power of informed and active citizenship.
As a speaker, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for civic engagement that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. Her ability to articulate complex issues with clarity and empathy makes her an exceptional communicator, capable of inspiring and mobilizing individuals to action. Dianna has more than 35 years of experience in training and communication skills, has been a trial consultant and was a faculty member at various colleges. She has co-authored several textbooks and has a strong educational background in communication and political science.
Don’t miss your chance to hear your national president in person. Tickets to the gala can be purchased on our website. See you there!
— Debra Chandler and Rebecca Cohen, Gala Co-chairs
| On a tour of the Capitol during 2026 Lobby Days, League members
observe the Florida Senate floor from an observation deck. | VOTING RIGHTS, ELECTIONS ARE LEAGUE'S FOCUS | Representing our Palm Beach County League chapter, I joined League members from around the state for Lobby Days on Jan. 21 and 22 in Tallahassee — first for a day of training, then for a day to lobby our legislators.
We started with clarity. The League of Women Voters of Florida is focused solely on voting rights and elections for 2026. That made the training for attendees much simpler. We just needed to be ready to speak about voting, and not any other issues.
Before we ever left home, there was terrific support online covering logistics, scheduling and League positions. We had a spreadsheet to share information on appointments, so the League didn’t ask any legislator for more than one appointment on Jan. 22.
I met with my Representative, Anne Gerwig from District 93, who welcomed me, then said “Kate, redistricting.” We have been heard. My meeting with Sen. Lori Berman of District 26 was transferred to her aide after her schedule as minority leader had changed. I was able to convey the League’s appreciation of all she does for the voters of Florida and her bill, SB 82, to ratify the ERA to the U.S. Constitution.
Thus far, all visits yielded positive feedback regarding League members’ professionalism and ability to stay on message, ensuring meetings were efficient for everyone involved. By the end of the day, we had had many meetings with our legislators, and hand-delivered letters and flyers to all the other senators and representatives concerning League positions on redistricting as well as other legislation of interest.
We left well satisfied with our efforts and the joy of renewing friendships with fellow League members and making new ones, knowing the League made its presence known in the Capitol on Jan. 22.
— Kate Renchin, Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition Co-chair |  | Leaguers attend a celebration dinner for the Tallahassee
chapter's 70th anniversary. | EMPOWERING VOTERS AND DEFENDING DEMOCRACY | LWVFL opposes burdensome new anti-voter bill, continues its focus
on opposing mid-decade redistricting. | HB 991 and its companion bill, SB 1334, would add bureaucratic hurdles to voter registration in the form of burdensome ID requirements. They also contain threatening language that risks scaring potential voters from registering.
The extra ID requirements would add the expense of obtaining original documents of birth, marriage or divorce to prove identity and citizenship.
The current requirements for registration serve all eligible Florida voters: Driver License or Social Security number, checking a box attesting to U.S. citizenship, and signing the form, which includes an oath that “all information provided in this application is true.” The current form already clearly states that to falsely swear or affirm, or submit false information, is a third-degree felony.
The proposed bill also would add: “I have carefully reviewed the instructions for completing the Florida Voter Registration Application. I understand that if I have provided false information on this application, I could be subject to criminal penalties for perjury, fines, or imprisonment, and deportation from the United States if I am not a United States citizen."
Meanwhile, in another voting-related issue, the League reminds us that partisan gerrymandering — now being promoted in Florida and several other states — is illegal here. Section 20 of our state Constitution reads: “In establishing congressional district boundaries, no apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent.”
Another factor against mid-decade redistricting: It’s expensive. Previous redistricting cycles have cost Florida taxpayers millions of dollars for staff, consultant and attorney time, not to mention opportunity costs in terms of misplaced focus and productivity.
Florida residents expect their elected leaders to focus on kitchen table issues affecting their daily lives — not diverting millions in taxpayer dollars to a rushed and unconstitutional redistricting process.
— Kate Renchin, Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition Co-chair
| LEAGUE ADDS MARCH 10 MUNICIPALS TO ELECTIONS WEBSITE | The March 10 elections represent the first time the Palm Beach County League will publish local municipal election information on the national League’s VOTE411.org website. Behind the scenes, a small committee of local Leaguers is ensuring that local candidates submit their positions on several key issues.
We have created synopses for each of 31 seats that will be contested on March 10 (March 24 for North Palm Beach) across Palm Beach County’s 39 municipalities, as well as for all 12 referendums among the four municipalities holding them. Voters in 19 Palm Beach County municipalities will choose mayors, commissioners and council members from among 86 candidates, and voters in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach and Loxahatchee Groves will accept or reject local ballot initiatives.
Normally our League’s Publications team posts local election information on VOTE411 “only” every other fall — for the General Election and the Midterms — when we also publish a printed Voters’ Guide. During those periods, Leagues throughout the nation contribute their key local races and referendums, enabling voters anywhere to put in their address and learn what will be on their personal ballot.
Thanks to our team, headed by Joyce Sullivan, PBC League first vice president and chair of the Publications team:
* Carolyn DiPaolo, for the list of suggested questions we selected from to send to all local candidates.
* Kris Serbesoff-King, for creating the technical framework for the races, emailing candidates and uploading synopses of each race and referendum. Every candidate received an email with the same five questions, and directions on how to participate in VOTE411.
* Carol Carnevale, for researching and writing the synopses, with research help from a new League member, Linda Steckley.
* Christene Campbell-Gabor, for leading the team of League “callers” who aim to ensure the candidates participate, as well as for researching all candidates’ contact information.
The local VOTE411 municipal races and referendums will “go live” on Feb. 8. Once that happens, a Palm Beach County voter can visit the site, enter their address, learn which elections — if any — will be on their personal ballot, and hopefully read candidate responses to help them make their choices.
— Carol Carnevale, ‘The Voter’ Editor | Daniel Lishansky, National Popular Vote Team Chair for LWVPBC, explains the campaign
for the NPV to Democracy Matters Boynton Beach.
| DEMOCRACY MATTERS BOYNTON HEARS FROM LEAGUE | Daniel Lishansky, Chair of the National Popular Vote Team, gave a presentation on Jan. 28 to Democracy Matters Boynton Beach. Seventy-five attendees heard about efforts to get states to change how they award their electoral votes so that the presidency would go to the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide.
The National Popular Vote does not do away with the Electoral College or need a constitutional amendment. It follows the U.S. Constitution by leaving it up to each state to determine how its electoral votes will be awarded. States would abandon the current winner-take-all system and, instead, would award the electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes nationwide.
Kudos to LWVPBC member Barbara Neuman and to Susan Wells, President of Democracy Matters, for setting up the event and sending out all the invitations.
If you want more information, go to the National Popular Vote page of the LWVPBC website.
— Daniel Lishansky, National Popular Vote Team Chair, Floridians for National Popular Vote Steering Committee member | More PBC League presentations now available statewide | Five Speakers Bureau presentations have been officially approved, uploaded and are now available to all chapters across the state. Please join me in congratulating and expressing appreciation to Leslie Barron, Rich Bartholomew, Katie Beer, Jo Renee Fine and Marcia Lamel for their hard work, expertise and commitment to empowering voters through clear, accessible civic education. And gratitude to Lori Charnow, Lori Geiger and Kathy Kudler for polishing the presentations.
Here are the topics:
1. Identifying and Combating False Information (Leslie Barron)
2. Interacting with Public Officials and their Staffs (Rich Bartholomew)
3. From Idea to Law: Understanding Florida’s Legislative Process (Katie Beer)
4. The U.S. Constitution: The Cornerstone of American Democracy (Jo Renee Fine)
5. Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances in the U.S. Constitution (Marcia Lamel)
The updated List of Topics is now available on the League’s website.
— Janet Elinoff, Speakers Bureau Chair |  | PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION | 2026 Legislative Session
Jan. 13 — March 13 | THIS MONTH'S EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the details
| FEBRUARY TEAM MEETINGS
Members must log in to see the Zoom link. Pre-registration is not required.
|
Thursday, Feb 5 — Executive Team, 5-6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12 — Voter Services Team, 7-8 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 16 — Board Meeting, 5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 — Membership Team, 4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 — Gala Team, 10-11 a.m. (In Person at Fountains Country Club)
Tuesday, Feb. 24 — National Popular Vote Team, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 25 — Chairs Meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
|  | 2026 Municipal Elections: March 10
Participating municipalities: Boynton Beach, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Royal Palm Beach, South Palm Beach, Wellington and West Palm Beach
Election Day: Tuesday, March 10
Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: Monday, Feb. 9
Deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot: Thursday, Feb. 26, by 5 p.m.
Early Voting: Not available
Deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot: Tuesday, March 10, by 7 p.m. to the Main Office of the Supervisor of Elections, or by 5 p.m. to a Branch Office or Secure Ballot Intake Station
Municipal Runoff Elections (if necessary): Tuesday, March 24 | Florida House District 87 Special Election: March 24
This ballot will elect the successor to Rep. Mike Caruso, who resigned in August during his term to become Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller.
General Election: Tuesday, March 24
District 87 stretches along the Palm Beach County coast from Juno Beach to Hypoluxo, and includes the oceanfront barrier islands. It also includes portions of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter. If uncertain, use VOTE411.org or VotePalmBeach.gov to see if you reside in District 87.
Candidates are:
Democrat: Emily Gregory
Republican: Jon Maples
Deadline to register to vote March 24 or change party affiliation: Monday, Feb. 23
Deadline to request a VBM ballot: Thursday, March 12, by 5 p.m.
Early voting: Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline to return your VBM ballot: Tuesday, March 24, by 7 p.m. to the Supervisor of Elections Main Office or by 5 p.m. to an SOE Branch Office or Secure Ballot Intake Station
All questions should be directed to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections at VotePalmBeach.gov or (561) 656-6200. | North Palm Beach Special Village Council Election: March 24
This Special Election ballot to fill an open seat on the North Palm Beach Village Council will be held in conjunction with the Special General Election for State Representative District 87. The Group 4 seat is open after the death of former Council Member Kristin Garrison.
Candidates for Group 4 are: David B. Norris, Ron Okolichany, Kendra Zellner
Deadline to register to vote March 24 or change party affiliation: Monday, Feb. 23
Deadline to request a VBM ballot: Thursday, March 12, by 5 p.m.
Early voting: Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline to return your VBM ballot: Tuesday, March 24, by 7 p.m. to the Supervisor of Elections Main Office or by 5 p.m. to an SOE Branch Office or Secure Ballot Intake Station
Runoff (if necessary): Tuesday, April 7 (no early voting will be available)
All questions should be directed to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections at VotePalmBeach.gov or (561) 656-6200. |  | JOIN THE WEBSITE TEAM
Would you like to join the Website Team? We need several League members to assist in keeping the website current and to help shape the website. Experience with websites is not required, as long as you are comfortable with computer use and are interested in learning new skills.
The next meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The link is on the website Events Calendar.
If you would like to join but can't attend the meeting, contact Website Team Chair Daniel Lishansky by phone or at Web@LWVPBC.org.
Members of the Web Team manage one or two items. Individual training will be provided based on the specific role you will have. HTML and programming skills are not required at any time.
Examples of skills and tasks:
*
Excel Reports: this is for membership and attendance rosters.
* Calendar Entries: made through a series of prompts.
* Email Blasts: includes using the league’s email template and adding text and recipient names.
* Graphics: Canva is used for most graphics. Members are not required to be expert in Canva (who is?) but some familiarity will help.
* Full Events: this is one of the lengthier processes on the website, but each step is guided.
* Zoom Dashboard: create and manage the Zoom meetings.
* Photo Albums: involves adding photos to the Photo Albums.
— Daniel Lishansky, Web and Tech Team Chair
| MLK DAY VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE | | Our Voter Services team sent volunteers to Mizner Park on Martin Luther King Day, to help Florida residents with voter registration and vote-by-mail requests. From left, our second shift volunteers were Nancy Ballen, Chris Allen, Susan Perl and Lynn Pollan. | Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon
Dr. André Fladell Civic Center, Delray Beach | The Membership Team invites all members to this free event to learn about our teams — such as Advocacy, National Popular Vote and Healthcare — and to get the inside scoop of the inner workings of our county from our featured speaker, Verdenia Baker, retired Palm Beach County administrator.
So plan to arrive in time to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry so you can be a part of this informative and enjoyable event.
— Donna Colabella, Membership Co-Chair | SAVE THE DATE
April 11 — Taste of the League
| A WARM-HEARTED WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Denise McKelvey (Boca Raton), Elaine Padilla (Boca Raton), Rhoda Schneider (Boca Raton), Randi Paul-Heskins (Boca Raton), Robert Brodsky (Boca Raton), Wendy Stahl (Palm Beach Gardens), Siobhan O’Donnell (Juno Beach), Joseph Ricci (Delray Beach), Lynn Rogut (Palm Beach), Florence French (Deerfield Beach) and Elizabeth Capozzi (Lake Worth Beach).
— Linda Sorenson, Membership
| NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE | LET STATES DECIDE VBM RULES
Mississippi case has national implications. League of Women Voters, ACLU,
broad coalition urge Supreme Court to reject novel reading of “Election Day” statutes
that would disenfranchise mail voters.
Read more | BLOG: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING BY MAIL
Check deadlines and state requirements, there may be several ways to return your ballot, voting by mail is secure, consider your other voting options.
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