PƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ͛Ɛ DĞƐƐĂŐe - League of Women Voters of Broward

LWV
BROWARD COUNTY
VOTER
July 2016 8 Volume 65 Number 6 PƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ͛ƐDĞƐƐĂŐe While many are easing into the lazy days of summer, the League o f Women Voters of Broward County is championing key issues, informing Broward Voters, and encouraging everyone to p articipate in the important u pcoming elections. Your vote matters, and on August 30th Broward County will hold its Primary and Non-­‐
Partisan Election. You'll want to visit www.vote411.org and enter your address to get all candidate and ballot information that will appear on your personal ballot . All registered voters have the opportunity to vote for: x Amendment 4: Solar/ Renewal Energy (Supported by LWVFL) x County and Circuit Court Judges and School Board x Local Referendums x Candidates who will not face opposing p arty candidates in the November Election (See page 3 for more details about the Universal Primary) Only registered Democrats and Republicans ŵĂLJƐĞůĞĐƚƚŚĞŝƌƉĂƌƚŝĞƐ͛nominees for: x US Senator x US Congressional Districts x FL House Districts x FL Senate Districts x County Commissioners x Local Officials: Sheriff, Supervisor o f Elections, Clerk of the Court Through our ^ƉĞĂŬĞƌƐ͛ƵƌĞĂƵ͕ƌŽǁĂƌĚsŽƚĞ͊ŽĂůŝƚŝŽŶ͕sŽƚĞƌ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕/ssd& and social mediaͶLWVBC has launched a major p ush to inform NPA (Non-­‐Party Affiliated) or independent voters of the August 1st registration d eadline for choosing a party if they want to vote for partisan candidates. LWVBC continues to focus on the important issues of Gun Safety and Solar Energy. As we mourn the devastating murders in Orlando, Bradette, Gun Safety Chair, and Shaheewa, Broward Vote! Coalition Chair, have reached out to community leaders and organizations to support legislation and form a Broward Gun Safety Taskforce. Speakers Bureau members Carol, Margery and Janie have developed Decision 2016 to inform voters about the Primary and General Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Local Referendums. Laura, Voters Service Chair, and volunteers continue to hold numerous registration and informational events throughout the county. tĞ͛ƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞϮϬϭϲ-­‐17 LWVBC Calendar with key events to drive our Leadership on important issues, LWVBC recruitment and member engagement. Get involved, make a difference, have fun and b ring a friend. Regards, J ocelyn Jocelyn Ca rter-­‐Miller, LWVBC President LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 1 LWV
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Voters Service The League registered voters at four events in June. Thank you to all members who volunteered for Voter Registrations this past month: Bradette, Julie, Elayne, Laura, Andrea, Ricki, Scherry, Maggie, Margery, Betty, John, Ron, and Nancy. Laura and Carol attended the Supervisor of Elections Partnership Meeting on June 29. Voters Service is also encouraging members to attend three special events in June that deserve our support: The Candidate Forum sponsored by the Caribbean American Chamber and moderated by Alice; the American Muslim Voting Festival featuring speakers Gloria and Bradette; and The Judicial Forum in Wilton Manors moderated by Alice. July Voter Speaking and Registration Events (Volunteers Needed) x
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July 12: Coffee and Conversation, 9:30 am, Pride Center, Wilton Manors (Bradette, Julie, Nora ʹ speaker: Janie) July 17: American Muslim Voting Festival, 1-­‐4 pm, Lauderdale Lakes Multi -­‐Purpose Center, Lauderdale Lakes (3 volunteers needed ʹ speakers: Gloria and Bradette) July 26: Ballot Issues, 10-­‐11 am, Hepburn Center, Hallandale Beach (Bradette + 3 volunteers needed ʹ speaker needed) July 29: Daniel Kantor Senior Center, 12:30 pm, Sunrise (3 volunteers needed ʹ speaker: Margery) Pending Speaking and Registration Events (Save the Date) x
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August 2: Ballot Issues, Time: TBA, NW Regional Library, Coral Springs (speaker: Margery) August 4: Ballot Issues, Time: TBA, North Regional Library. Coconut Creek (speaker: Margery) August 5: Florida Votes, 1:30 pm, Elite Health, Pembroke Pines ( speaker: Janie) August 8: Ballot Issues, 7 pm, Miramar Democratic Club, Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar August 9: Ballot Issues, 7 pm, St. George HOA, St. George Park, Lauderhill August 11: Ballot Issues, 12:30-­‐2 pm, Nova Life Long Learning Institute, Davie ( speakers: Margery, Janie) August 13: Ballot Issues, Time: TBA, First Baptist Piney Grove Candidate Forums: x
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July 14: Candidate Forum (highlighting County Court Judges, County Commission District 9 and FL House Districts 92 and 95), 6-­‐9 pm, Merrill United Methodist Church, 3900 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes (sponsored by the Caribbean American Chamber), moderated by LWVBC July 20: Judicial Candidate Forum, 7 pm, Hagan Park, 2 020 Wilton Drive, W ilton Manors (sponsored by Wilton Manors Neighborhood Associations, Central Area, East Side, West Side), modera ted by LWVBC Contact Voters Service Chair: Laura Simon ([email protected]) or 954-­‐430-­‐5234 LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 2 LWV
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2016 Election News: Who & What to Vote For NEW VOTER INFORMATION CARDS HAVE BEEN MAILED. Be s ure you save your card and check it carefully to find your new districts and to ensure that all your information is correct. THE AUGUST PRIMARY will include County Court, Circuit Court and School Board nonpartisan races and one Amendment to the Florida Constitution for all voters. It will also include several partisan races which will be on all ballots in those districts. This is due to a unique constitutional amendment passed by voters in 1998, called a Universal Primary. When there is no opposing party candidate on the November Ballot, the partisan race becomes open to all voters .
PRIMARY: AUGUST 30: Last Day to Register or Change Party is August 1 x
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NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS ʹ ANY REGISTERED VOTER CAN VOTE o County and Circuit Court Judges o School Board members ʹ Districts 2, 5, 9 o Florida Amendment: ͞^ŽůĂƌĚĞǀŝĐĞƐ ŽƌZĞŶĞǁĂďůĞŶĞƌŐLJ^ŽƵƌĐĞ ĞǀŝĐĞƐ͖džĞŵƉƚŝŽŶĨƌŽŵ
ĞƌƚĂŝŶdĂdžĂƚŝŽŶĂŶĚƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶƚ͘͟ PARTISAN ELECTIONS ʹ ONLY REGISTERED REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS CAN VOTE o US Senate o US House ʹ Districts 23 o FL Senate ʹ District 34 o FL House ʹ District 93 o County Commission ʹ Districts 1, 5, 9 o Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of the Court PARTISAN ELECTIONS OPEN TO ALL VOTERS ʹ ANY REGISTERED VOTER CAN VOTE SINCE NO OPPOSING PARTY CANDIDATES WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT (Universal Ballot Amendment passed in 1998) o US House District 24 o Florida Senate District 29 o Florida House ʹ Districts 92, 95 o Broward State Attorney LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 3 LWV
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2016 Election News: Where & When to Vote There are three ways to VOTE: x
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Early Voting at any one of the 20 Broward locations. o Sat., August 20 ʹ Sun., August 28: 10 am -­‐ 7 pm Vote by Mail: Call 954-­‐357-­‐7055 or go to www.browardsoe.org to request ballot with postage pre-­‐
paid return envelope Election Day: August 30, at your assigned polling place: 7 am -­‐ 7 pm x
EARLY VOTING SITES x African American Research Library, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale x Coral Ridge Mall, 3200 N. Federal Hwy, Ft. Lauderdale x Davie/Cooper City Branch Library, 4600 SW 82nd Ave, Davie x Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex (Westside Park), 445 SW 2 Street, Deerfield Beach x Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6th St., Pompano Beach x Ft. Lauderdale Branch Library/Art Serve, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale x Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center, 410 SE 3rd St., Hallandale Beach x Hollywood Branch Library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood x Miramar Library, 2050 Civic Center Place, Miramar x N. Regional Library/BC, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek x NW Regional Library, 3151 University Dr., Coral Springs x Parkland YMCA, 10559 Trails End, Parkland x SOE at Lauderhill Mall, 1515 NW 40th Ave., Lauderhill x SOE at E. Pat Larkins, 520 Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach x SW Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines x Sunrise Senior Center, 10650 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise x Tamarac Branch Library, 8701 W. Commercial Blvd, Tamarac x Weston Branch Library, 4205 Bonaventure Blvd., Weston x West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation x Wilton Manors City Hall, 2020 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors VOTE411 is your one-­‐stop shop for all election information you need and the information provided is based on what will be on your personal ballot. The VOTE411 team has invited all qualified candidates running for office in the primary election to participate in our nonpartisan voters' guide by posting campaign information and answering League questions. Go to www.vote411.org and enter your address for a detailed look at candidates running in your districts. You can also check your registration status. No need to figure out who you can vote for and where or when to vote. VOTE411 does all the work for you! VOTE411 is a work in progress during election season so check back frequently for updated candidate information. The voters' guide will be finalized by the end of July well before early voting starts. Got a question about VOTE411? Call Jane Gross at 954.791.0387. LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 4 LWV
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LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 VOTER
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Our Water
by Stephanie Pearson Flooded neighborhoods in Broward County have been in the news since the beginning of the year. We had unusual rain storms i n the winter and now we are into the rainy season and hurricane season, so flooding continues to be a concern. Flooding causes property damage, rising insurance rates, and i mplications for public health. One of the causes i s that here i n Broward much of our ground i s covered with pavement or buildings l imiting the amount of water that can seep naturally into the soil to replenish our underground water supply ʹ the Biscayne Aquifer. At the l ast Technical Advisory Committee of the Water Advisory Board we heard an i nteresting presentation about how to use l andscaping to help alleviate flooding and better recharge our aquifer -­‐ i t is called Low Impact Development. Jeff Huber, Assistant Professor i n the School of Architecture at FAU, discussed projects using various techniques such as replacing pavement with plantings, creating bioswales to catch water, and using permeable paving surfaces. Trees work wonders -­‐ absorbing water into the soil and through e vapotranspiration getting rid of water i nto the air. Some communities reconfigured l arge commercial parking l ots to i ncorporate more trees and gave them room to thrive. Implementing l ow i mpact development design requires the cooperation of commercial and residential users and changing government policy and building codes. We also heard about the monitoring of saltwater i ntrusion using wells. More wells are needed. There will be a workshop of i nterested parties to cooperate i n the funding and operation of such wells on July 28. A presentation on the Conservation Pays program outlined e fforts to e ducate the public on water conservation and provide incentives to do so such as the toilet rebate program. Rebates are provided to residential and commercial users to e ncourage the replacement of toilets which use a l arge volume of water with more e fficient models. Please l et me know your i deas on public education and/or advocacy on water i ssues. LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 6 LWV
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Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence The newly formed Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, led by The League o f Women Voters of Florida, delivered a letter to Governor Scott, Senate President Gardiner, and House Speaker Crisafulli on Monday, June 20 calling for a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to pass legislation to 1) ban assault weapons and 2) expand background checks in Florida. The statewide coalition is adding new members daily. If you know of an organization in Broward County that may sign-­‐on to the letter, please refer contacts to Bradette at [email protected]. Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA The LWVBC has scheduled a showing of Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA at the River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 11850 W. State Road 84 (Suite 1) in Davie on September 14 at 6 p.m. The film features personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victims' families, and exposes how the powerful gun companies and the NRA are resisting responsible legislation for the sake of profit. A panel discussion will follow the film. tĞĂƌŝŶ͛ŽĨƚŚĞKƌĂŶŐĞ on the 4th of July June 20, 2016
PRESIDENT Pamela Goodman FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Patricia Brigham TREASURER Theresa Francis-­‐‑Thomas SECRETARY Patricia Drago BOARD OF DIRECTORS Shawn Bartelt The Hon. Annie Betancourt Sandra Colyer The Hon. Paula Dockery Anthony Dutton Elizabeth Pines Cecile M. Scoon Geanine Wester EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Penny Walker Bos 540 Beverly Court Tallahassee, FL 32301-­‐‑7530 (850)224-­‐‑2545 The Honorable Rick Scott, Governor
The Honorable Andy Gardiner, Senate President
The Honorable Steve Crisafulli, Speaker of the House
Hand Delivered
RE: FLORIDA COALITION TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE
Dear Governor Scott, Senate President Gardiner, and House Speaker Crisafulli:
We applaud your immediate statements to the LGBT and Hispanic communities, and to all
citizens and visitors to the State of Florida, that you will not tolerate the targeting of any
community with hatred or gun violence. But more must be done. This is a public safety
issue. We urge you to put actions behind your words. The deadliest mass shooting in U.S.
history occurred in Orlando, Florida. Accordingly, the undersigned coalition partners call
on you to convene a special legislative session within fourteen days to implement the
following legislative measures:
First, we call upon you to enact legislation making it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device. There is simply no reason for private citizens to have access
to weapons like the MCX Carbine firearm used to murder the 49 people in the Pulse Night
Club in Orlando on June 12, 2016. These weapons have immense destructive power and do
not belong in civilian hands. Florida should follow the lead of the seven states ± California,
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, ± which
already ban assault weapons.1 In addition, Florida should join the other eight states ±
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New
York, ± that already prohibit large capacity ammunition feeding devices that hold over 10
rounds. 2
Second, we call upon the state to implement comprehensive, universal background checks. Both nationally and in Florida, legal access to guns is still too easy ± and this
tragedy is only the latest in a long line of examples. In particular, the state should require
private parties (i.e., non-federally or state licensed dealers) to conduct a background check
before selling any firearm. 3 Simultaneously, the state of Florida should ensure that all
relevant records are provided to the FBI¶s National Instant Criminal Background Check
(NICS). 4
MOMS Demand Action for Gun Sense are wearing anything orange to march in the 4th of July Parade in Any harm to any one of us is harm to all of us and must be addressed by the entire state.
The undersigned coalition represents the broad spectrum of Florida citizens who share this
Sunrise. For more information, e-­‐
conviction. And so we call on you, Governor Scott, President Gardiner and Speaker
Crisafulli, to convene a special session within fourteen days and pass these measures to
mail Kathryn at prevent gun violence in Florida.
[email protected] or meet MOMS at the parade staging area. Nationally Respected, Locally Engaged:
The League of Women Voters of Florida
Look for orange-­‐clad marchers at www.TheFloridaVoter.org
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the corner of 12 Street and Sunset Strip in Sunrise at 8:45 am on the morning of July 4. RSVP: https://act.everytown.org/event/moms-­‐demand-­‐action-­‐event/3289/signup/ LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 7 LWV
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LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 8 LWV
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Voter Registration Forms Not From Broward Elections Office Broward County, FL. (June 20, 2016)Ͷ In recent weeks, many Broward voters have contacted our office alarmed about a mailing they have received regarding their voter status. The opening statements of the letter indicate that the voter is not registered to vote in Broward County. The letter is sent from the Voter Participation Center (VPC) located in Washington D.C. Although the organization is well-­‐ intentioned in its support of voter registration, their mailings are misleading and often sent to voters who are deceased, or unknown at the listed addressed. Some voters have reported that letters have been addressed to a family pet, an incorrect use of names such as nicknames, or to adult children who no longer reside in the home. We want to insure that voters are not confused by this unsolicited correspondence and that their concerns are addressed quickly. Therefore, voters who receive the VPC letter are encouraged to contact the office of the Broward County Supervisor to verify their voter status on our website: www.browardsoe.org and click on My Status located on the main page. (reprinted from Office of Broward Supervisor of Elections) LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 9 LWV
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Congratulations to Broward County League of Women V oters Opportunity Scholarship winner Emily Magnuson. A Plantation High School Class of 2016 graduate, Emily will study nursing at Broward College. The $500 scholarship and certificate were presented to Emily at the Plantation High School Senior Awards Ceremony by LWVBC president, Jocelyn Carter-­‐Miller. Committee Reports Education Margery Marcus [email protected] Voters Service Laura Simon dŚĞŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞ ŚĂƐĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐĨŽƌƚŚĞ>ts͛ƐŝŐŝƚĂůWƌĞƐƐ<ŝƚ͘&ůLJĞƌƐ
with election-­‐related information have been converted into PDF format with links to be posted on the LWVBC website. Committee members have also offered election-­‐related presentations to Broward middle a nd high school teachers interested in hosting a LWVBC speaker in their classrooms this Fall. [email protected] Vote411 Jane Gross [email protected]
Voter Registration Events: Volunteers needed for 4 events in July a nd at lea st 7 events in August Remember to Complete your online L WVFL Voter Registration c ertification a t http://thefloridavoter.org The judicial s ection only of the voters' guide will be "published" online a t www.vote411.org within the next few days. The complete guide will be published l ate July i n a dvance of early voting which begins on August 20. Membership Data Base Scherry Donato Welcome N ew M ember Mae Smith [email protected] Speakers Bureau Carol Smith [email protected] Presentations a nd s peakers a re available for a ll the Amendments to the Florida Constitution on the ballot i n August and November. The calendar for these ballot i ssue discussions i s filling upͶcall now. We are r eaching out to schools and PTAs to provide information. Gun Safety Bradette Jepsen [email protected]
om Wear orange and j oin Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense as they march in the Sunrise July 4 th parade. Learn about LWVFL efforts to prevent gun violence by logging on the LWVFL website. LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 10 LWV
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Event
Saturday June 16 Board of Directors Meeting This will be a phone conference meeting. Thursday June 14 6-­‐‑9 pm Candidate Forum (highlighting County Court Judges, County Wednesday June 20 7 pm August 6 Wednesday -­‐‑ Sunday August 17 -­‐‑ 21 Judicial Candidate Forum Contact Jocelyn Carter-­‐Miller for details on how to participate: [email protected] Commission District 9 and FL House Districts 92 and 95) Merrill United Methodist Church, 3900 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes (moderated by LWVBC) Hagan Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors moderated by LWVBC Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed Seneca Falls and Rochester New York Tour Visit the homes of Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and meet a descendent of Harriet Tubman and more! Go to http://thefloridavoter.org/seneca-­‐falls-­‐2016-­‐trip/ for more details Like us on Follow us on Twitter @lwvbcfl Visit our Facebook Website Lwvbcfl.org The VOTER is a newsletter published by The League of Women Voters Broward County Jane Koszoru ʹ editor [email protected] Jocelyn Carter-­‐Miller ʹ LWVBC president [email protected] LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 11 LWV
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Jocelyn Carter-­‐Miller President Shaheewa Jarrett Gelin Vice President Elayne Garver Secretary Gloria Reinhardt Treasurer Nora Ayala Director Kamalie Belizaire Director (intern) Betty Gambino Director Bradette Jepsen Director Margery Marcus Director Harriet Mathis Director Donna Meyers Director Laura Simon Director COMMITTEE CHAIRS 954-­‐464-­‐5512 305-­‐495-­‐8252 954-­‐471-­‐1355 954-­‐344-­‐3787 954-­‐547-­‐1473 954-­‐849-­‐8568 954-­‐980-­‐9086 954-­‐464-­‐4165 954-­‐563-­‐3685 954-­‐600-­‐4563 954-­‐430-­‐5234 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] OPEN Shaheewa Gelin 305-­‐495-­‐8252 [email protected] 240-­‐603-­‐7711 [email protected] 954-­‐547-­‐1473 [email protected] 954-­‐563-­‐3685 954-­‐341-­‐9221 954-­‐646-­‐4165 954-­‐895-­‐4150 954-­‐430-­‐5234 302-­‐521-­‐7741 954-­‐646-­‐4165 954-­‐600-­‐4563 954-­‐563-­‐3685 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 954-­‐980-­‐9086 954-­‐791-­‐0387 [email protected] [email protected] BOARD MEMBERS Scherry Donato Nora Ayala Harriet Mathis Carol Smith Margery Marcus Janie Koszoru Laura Simon Bonnie Gross OPEN Margery Marcus Donna Meyers Harriet Mathis Bradette Jepsen Jane Gross VOTER
Action Community Outreach Membership Database Membership Outreach Public Relations Speakers Bureau VOTER Editor Voter Services Website Fundraising Education Hot Topics Voter Turnout Taskforce Gun Safety VOTE411/WRY LWV Broward County VOTER 65(6) July 2016 12 LWV
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