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League of Women Voters
of Jacksonville First Coast
Email: lwvjaxfc@gmail.com
(904) 355-8683
P.O. Box 350210
Jacksonville, FL 32235-9998 
Copyright © 2025 • All Rights Reserved • Terms of Use Privacy Policy • Powered by ClubExpress
Date: 12/2/2025
Subject: LWVJFC December Newsletter
From: League of Women Voters of Jacksonville First Coast



 The Voter
December 2025

President’s Message

Note of Thanks 
As we head into the final month of 2025, many of us are preparing to travel or have family and friends join us for the holidays. While we did not have a local election this year, we had plenty of work to keep us engaged. As your chapter President, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind our members what a treasure you are and that we could not exist without you.
 
Enjoy this time with your family and friends. Take the opportunity to reflect on those things and people that you value. For many of us, the work we do with the League and other organizations is inspired and motivated by those we love and the country that we live in.
 
As January 2026 begins, we will find ourselves going into a very busy legislative session where we expect gerrymandered congressional maps to be rushed through to ensure they meet the April filing deadline for candidates. And while we will be putting time and effort into educating the public about redistricting, we will also be engaging with our elected representatives to ensure that bills making their way through committees in hopes of becoming laws improve the daily lives of Floridians, create a better education system, improve housing affordability, protect our environment, respect home rule, and help the working class Floridian.
If you are new to the League or have not yet found a way to invest your time and talents, please reach out to a board member or committee chair so we can connect you to the work that you value.
 
Creating a more perfect democracy takes a little bit of work from a lot of people and we are counting on YOU to help us make it happen.
 
Lanelle Phillmon
President, LWVJFC

News & Events

Rally in Tally - No to Mid-Decade Redistricting

Thursday, December 4, 2025
 
Although mid-decade redistricting clearly violates the Florida constitution, the Florida legislature is moving forward to conduct redistricting and has scheduled a meeting of the Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting on Dec. 4.
 
League of Women Voters members and supporters from across Florida will be there with a goal of showing our irrefutable opposition and to pack the committee room in defense of the will of Florida voters. You do not need to be a member to participate.
 
GET ON THE BUS TO TALLAHASSEE!
You may drive yourself or take a bus from Jacksonville. Bus departs at 9:00 am from Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church at 2036 Silver Street Jacksonville, Fl 32206
 
Redistricting Image 2025

Membership Orientation - December 13, 2025 @ 3pm
We are excited to offer our quarterly membership orientation session as a hybrid event where you can attend in person or via Zoom. We realize that our members have very busy lives and that Saturdays often hold a place for family fun and community events but we are hoping you will join us.
 
Our orientation is an opportunity to learn about the League of Women Voters, our mission and guiding principles, our board structure and how we conduct business. It is also an opportunity to meet League members from across our four county area, our board members and action chairs. While we often refer to orientation as "new member orientation", we welcome all members regardless of how long you've been with the League.
 
If you would like to attend, complete the registration which will ask you to indicate if you are attending in person or via Zoom. We want to ensure we have adequate seating and materials for in person attendees and that we know who to send the zoom link to for virtual attendance.
 
 December 13, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Mandarin Library 3330 Kori Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Casual attire is appropriate for this event.
 
The zoom link will be emailed to virtual attendees on December 12th.
Orientation Registration: https://forms.gle/CWmLVXRHHpmEbCUG9

Join the League Leadership: Board Candidate Nominations Open for 2026
Now is the time for our local League to recruit candidates to the Board for our election in June 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in promoting democracy!
 
 The following positions are open beginning in June 2026:
 President (term June 2026 – June 2028)
  • Serves as the official representative and spokesperson for the League in all public matters and engagements.
  • Presides over Board and organizational meetings, provides leadership and oversight, and serves as an ex-officio member of all committees (except Nominating).
  • Stays informed on local, state, and national priorities; attends key League meetings, events, and conventions as delegate.
  • Time commitment: 20–30 hours per month, including monthly Board, League Leader, and Lunch & Learn meetings.
Secretary (term June 2026 – June 2028)
  • Keep minutes of the meetings of the membership and the Board.
  • Maintains copy of League bylaws.
  • Monthly board meeting 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 pm via Zoom; transcribes meeting minutes and maintains meeting files.
  • Time Commitment:  2 – 4 hours per month
2 Board Member Positions (term June 2026 – June 2028)
  • Participates in Board planning, decision-making, and overall operations, including committee work and fundraising.
  • Takes on special assignments as needed and may focus on a specific area of interest or serve as a general director.
  • Monthly board meeting, 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 pm via zoom.
  • Time Commitment: 8 - 10 hours per month
3 Nominating Committee members (term June 2026 – June 2027)
  • Identify open Board positions and follow the Nominating Committee’s annual recruiting process.
  • Recruit, interview, and match candidates to Board needs based on skills and interests; prepare the slate and candidate biographies.
  • Time Commitment: 15 hours per year
Please contact a member of the nominating committee if you have any questions or would like to be considered for a position. The deadline is February 28, 2026. 
Mary Finnan, Chair @ maryafinnan@gmail.com
Paige Gottlieb @ paigegottlieb@gmail.com
Margaux Finn Keller @ margauxfinnkeller@gmail.com
Christine Allmand @ christineallmand@gmail.com

Education Committee
Please contact our Education Committee Chair at lwv.jax.education@gmail.com if you want more information about these opportunities:
  • Join our Duval google group so you’ll receive summaries of the upcoming agenda for the Duval County Public Schools Board meetings.
  • Volunteer to lead an education subcommittee for Nassau, Clay, or St. Johns.
  • Volunteer for the LWV-Florida Education Action Team subcommittee focused on higher education

Voter Registration Thanks
Thanksgiving is the time to give voice to what we are thankful for. I am thankful to be part of such a worthwhile cause, registering voters, helping people to understand their rights and providing needed assistance. I am thankful for the team of dedicated people I work with, I couldn't have asked for a nicer group. I am thankful for the work we do with young voters, it gives me hope for the future. I am thankful to be an American. That phrase; "love it or leave it" has never sat well with me. When you love something and there are problems, you work to solve the problems. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. - Julia Ross, VR Chair

Forbidden Florida Reads
Izzy Miletic is a junior Economics and Literature student at Florida State University. She is a board member of the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee, where she began publishing Forbidden Florida Reads. Forbidden Florida Reads is Izzy’s original monthly column that highlights a book banned in at least one Florida school district. Izzy is passionate about books and educational policy making. She hopes to attend law school and earn her Masters in Library and Information Science.
 
Read Izzy’s December column on "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult.

Membership Update

New Members - Welcome aboard!
 
Beth Allison
Joy Ennis
Jenna Riemersma
Sharon Stang
Rachel Williams
 
Interested in being part of the League? JOIN TODAY!


Donors

Donations are always appreciated!
 
We wish to acknowledge and thank those who made donations this month:
 
Our website lwvjaxfc.org offers an easy way to make donations to LWVJFC, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the Homepage.

Stay Connected

Local

Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on the LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast: 

 

• Website 

• Facebook

• LinkedIn


Regional
The Regional Facebook Group, LWV Florida North Region Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee.

 

State
For statewide news and action items, visit the LWV of Florida

  

National

The League of Women Voters of the United States


Contact Us!
 
Phone: 904-355-8683

EmailLWVJAXFC@gmail.com

Postal Address:
League of Women Voters of Jacksonville First Coast
PO Box 350210
Jacksonville, FL 32235-9998

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