Palm Beach County League member Ellen Cohen, a retired prosecutor, played the part of the prosecutor in the mock trial. | League presents mock murder trial at Historical Society | The Special Events Committee thanks everyone who attended and participated in the Palm Beach County League’s live Mock Jury Trial Nov. 19 and made the evening interesting, entertaining and educational. Experienced people with untapped acting skills included former President Ken Thomas as the judge, and members Ellen Cohen as the prosecutor and Adrienne Rabinowitz as the defense attorney. All their life and career experiences showed through.
Participants made the final decision in this delicious “TV Procedural” brought to life. Was it murder? The Mock Trial jury rendered its decision: Not guilty of manslaughter, but guilty of aggravated battery.
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County provided the venue — Palm Beach County’s original courthouse, an impressive building in which to relive history — and the guidance and dedication of its staff. Additional thanks to our attendees, local members who brought friends and family, and the three members of the Brevard County LWV chapter who drove down to be part of it all.
I know how much unseen work goes into events like this. A special thanks to Cindy Sheehan-Hartwell, Dan Lishansky and Gary Schweikhart for all their efforts behind the scenes. It has been so gratifying to receive positive feedback from so many who attended. I am deeply proud of what we accomplished together.
— Linda Kramer, LWVPBC Administrative Assistant |  | Palm Beach County League member Adrienne Rabinowitz, a retired prosecutor, played the part of the defense attorney in the mock trial. | BUILDING MOMENTUM: NEW LEADERSHIP, UPCOMING EVENTS | We're thrilled to welcome new members to our Board of Directors who bring diverse expertise and passion for civic engagement to the League. Whitney Powell joins us with valuable legal skills and community insight; Megan Wiston brings her dedication to training, education and voter engagement; and Donna Colabella, who has been co-leading our membership team and serving as a trailblazer for our organization, now steps into this formal leadership role. Their combined talents arrive at an exciting time as we prepare to enter 2026 ready to serve our community with renewed energy and purpose. We invite all members to join us at our upcoming holiday gathering to celebrate this year's accomplishments and connect with fellow League members in the spirit of the season.
As we look ahead to the new year, the League is gearing up for a robust calendar of candidate forums and civic engagement programming. With 2026 being an election year, our commitment to nonpartisan voter education has never been more important. Our teams are already preparing to help Palm Beach County residents make informed decisions at the ballot box while creating meaningful opportunities for community dialogue and democratic participation. We're excited to continue this vital work together and invite you to stay engaged as we kick off what promises to be an impactful year for civic engagement in our community. Happy Holidays!
— Amy Kemp, President | NOMINATING COMMITTEE AT WORK ON NEXT SLATE | The Nominating Committee of the LWVPBC is beginning to assemble a slate of candidates to stand for election at the Annual Meeting in April 2026. Those elected then will serve until April 2028.
Positions open are First Vice President, Treasurer and four Director seats. Any candidate must be a League member in good standing. Potential candidates may be peer-nominated (with full consent of the nominee) or self-nominated. In addition, nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting, with consent of the nominee.
To nominate a peer, please email your request to Nominating Committee Chair Marilyn Ricci by Jan. 9, 2026.
All nominations must be emailed and must include, besides the nominee's name, the position in question, several comments about what the nominee will bring to the table, and assurance that the nominee is in agreement.
Self-nominees, please state the position you're interested in and why — what will you bring to the table?
For election details and information about the board, please refer to the Education Fund By-Laws in the Member Resources section of LWVPBC.org.
| HELP WANTED
PUBLICATIONS TEAM NEEDS CANDIDATE CONTACT PERSON
FOR MARCH 10, 2026, MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
The Publications Team is seeking volunteers to help contact candidates for the March 10, 2026, Municipal Elections and remind them to respond to our VOTE411 questionnaire. Contact Publications Chair Joyce Sullivan to volunteer.
Job Description
* Contact candidates running in the March 2026 Municipal Elections.
* Remind candidates to complete and submit answers to the questions created for their specific race.
* Questions will be sent to each qualifying candidate with a unique identification number.
* Candidates who do not respond will receive a follow-up email and, if needed, a phone call reminding them of the submission deadline.
* A contact list with candidate information will be provided.
* Training will be provided.
Qualifications
* Comfortable using Google Sheets.
* Willing to learn key facts about this election (training provided).
* Friendly, persuasive and patient communication skills — especially when working with hesitant candidates.
|
PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
| Remaining Committee Weeks
Dec. 1-5 Dec. 8-12
The regular legislative session begins Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
| Palm Beach County Day
Two days of advocacy, collaboration and connection are set for Jan. 13 and 14 in Tallahassee. Palm Beach County Day registration ($200) is now open.
Schedule:
* Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, Welcome Gathering at the Aloft Hotel
* Wednesday, Jan. 14, Legislative Appreciation Luncheon on the 22nd floor of the Capitol, an opportunity to engage with key policymakers
* Wednesday evening, Jan. 14, Legislative Reception in the South Plaza
* Wednesday will close with a Hospitality Suite at Charlie Park, in the AC Marriott hotel.
Download the Whova app and follow it on Facebook and Instagram for updates. | Coalition speaks against redistricting
at PBC Legislative Delegation hearing
| Here’s some of what we said:
The League of Women Voters of Florida and the Voting Rights Coalition of Palm Beach County stand with the Florida Constitution and against mid-decade redistricting. Sixty-six percent of Floridians agree with us. We voted in 2010 to pass Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6, which specifically state “Congressional districts or districting plans may not be drawn to favor or disfavor an incumbent political party.”
Redistricting now, as is being proposed, is unconstitutional in Florida. People may not know who all their representatives are, but they know when something is unfair. Creating districts to favor one party over another silences voters and robs them of the ability to elect the candidates of their choice. It discourages voters who then might say, “why should I bother to vote, my vote doesn’t matter.”
Florida’s families are worried about urgent issues such as skyrocketing insurance costs, housing and health care costs. Taxpayer dollars should be spent on fixing these problems instead of unnecessary and unconstitutional redistricting. Additionally, the last redistricting process cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
The League of Women Voters of Florida is asking three things of state legislators:
* Say no to mid-cycle redistricting.
* Protect Floridians’ right to vote by saying no to bills that make it harder to vote or to register to vote.
* Fully fund elections administration to ensure secure, fair and efficient elections in every county.
Voting and elections are the foundation of our beloved American democracy, and they need our protection.
— Kate Renchin, Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition Co-chair
| FLORIDIANS WANT FAIR MAPS
Join us in Tallahassee Dec. 4 to fight mid-decade redistricting
We all know partisan redistricting is wrong and unfair. It is also unconstitutional.
Help us let our legislators know Floridians still believe in the Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6 that we passed overwhelmingly in 2010. Partisan gerrymandering remains extremely unpopular.
Pro-voter groups from around the state will gather in the Capitol on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. for a press conference and time for meetings with their legislative representatives.
Even more important: Join us at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, for the first legislative committee hearing on the new maps. We want to pack the room!
We are arranging lodging and transportation from Palm Beach County to Tallahassee for those who want it. Sign up here. Or email VRC@LWVPBC.org with questions.
— Kate Renchin, Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition Co-chair
|  |
GET READY TO “GET OUT THE COUNT”
Florida Philanthropic Network helps League plan for 2030 Census | Thanks to the Florida Philanthropic Network, the LWVPBC received a $10,000 grant to support community outreach and coalition building. This grant honors the League’s leadership of Palm Beach County’s 2020 Coalition for the Census Count and is designed to strengthen community leadership for the 2030 Census.
Kate Renchin, Voting Rights Coalition Co-Chair, represented the LWVPBC in Orlando at a recent statewide convening of pro-voter, community-activist organizations to plan for the 2030 Census. Their goal is to “Get Out the Count" and mobilize organizations from around the state to work with the nonpartisan Florida Counts organization to make sure everyone is counted.
A state’s population — relative to the nation’s — determines the number of representatives it sends to the U.S. Congress. The Census also determines the share of federal funding a state receives. This includes large grants for Medicaid and highway infrastructure. An accurate count is especially important for representation and consideration of low-income children and families who are among the hardest groups to locate and count.
Florida’s 2020 undercount likely cost the state one congressional seat and between $11 billion and $21 billion in federal funding.
Stay tuned to learn how to participate with LWVPBC in planning and participating in the “Get Out the Count” effort for Census 2030.
— Kate Renchin, Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition, and Rebecca Cohen, Fundraising | THIS MONTH'S EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the details
| DECEMBER MEETINGS
Members must log in to see the Zoom link. Pre-registration is not required.
| Florida House District 90 Special Election: Tuesday, Dec. 9
This ballot will elect the successor to Rep. Joe Casello, who died July 18 during his term. District 90 covers parts of Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. If uncertain, use VOTE411.org or VotePalmBeach.gov to see if you reside in District 90.
Candidates are:
Rob Long (D)
Karen Yeh (NPA)
Maria Zack (R)
Deadline to register to vote: Passed
Deadline to request a VBM ballot: Passed
Early voting: Through Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline to return your VBM ballot: Dec. 9, 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. | Florida House District 87 Special Election: Jan. 13 & 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.
Primary Election: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
General Election: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
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:
Democrats: Emily Gregory, Laura Levites
Republicans: Gretchen Feng, Jon Maples
Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: Monday, Dec. 15
Deadline to request a VBM ballot: Thursday, Jan. 1, by 5 p.m. *
Early voting: Saturday, Jan. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline to return your VBM ballot: Jan. 13, 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
* Because the Elections Office will be closed in observance of a holiday, voters should submit their Vote-by-Mail request before the deadline or through VotePalmBeach.gov.
All questions should be directed to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections at VotePalmBeach.gov or (561) 656-6200. | FORUM HELPS INFORM DISTRICT 90 VOTERS
| The LWVPBC hosted a dynamic and informative candidate forum moderated by Mary Jane Range, drawing nearly 30 community participants, including 10 League members, on Nov. 12 at the Hagen Ranch Road Library.
Candidates Rob Long (D) and Karen Yeh (I) engaged in a respectful and wide-ranging discussion covering their top priorities, water quality, property fraud, affordability, vote-by-mail, independent redistricting, property tax proposals, school vouchers, gun safety, HOA governance and support for seniors.
Maria Zack (R) was invited but did not participate.
We thank all who attended and contributed to an evening focused on empowering voters and strengthening civic dialogue in our community.
| Seniors can call 211 for a lifeline to services | Our Voter Services team volunteers at many senior facilities. Below is information seniors may need from the 211PalmBeach.org/Seniors website. Seniors (age 60 and older) can simply call 211.
Elder Crisis Outreach is for seniors, their families and their caregivers in Palm Beach County. Call 211 or visit 211PalmBeach.org/Elder-Crisis. Services include supportive crisis counseling, comprehensive needs assessment, goal setting and a plan of action, linkage to community services, advocacy with family or service providers, suicide evaluation and follow-up.
Sunshine Daily Telephone Reassurance: This free program checks on the well-being of seniors, the homebound or disabled, seven days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The service area is Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. The program also serves isolated family caregivers age 18 or older caring for another adult family member. Currently, Sunshine callers are only able to serve individuals who understand and speak English. Clients also must live in their own home. To request Sunshine calls, dial 211 or email Sunshine@211pbtc.org or complete the online application at 211PalmBeach.org/Sunshine. To volunteer with the Sunshine program, if you reside in Palm Beach County and can drive to the call location, visit 211PalmBeach.org/Volunteer and complete the online application.
The website 211PalmBeach.org provides a variety of information to people needing assistance. Service areas include food, caregivers, veterans, education, employment, physical health, transportation, income support, seasonal updates, suicide prevention, youth from birth to teens, legal and public safety, clothing and house items; health, wellness and dental; hurricanes and disaster services, and consumer, government and information services.
| VOTERS: CHECK YOUR DRIVER LICENSE
| Do you create PowerPoint presentations for LWVPBC? | You can make them accessible for the hearing-impaired by setting up PowerPoints so whatever is said during the presentation can be read on the screen as captioning or subtitles. This will be helpful for any PowerPoint presentations made by League members. Thanks to member Charlotte Novak for raising this issue. For how to do this, click here. | Hide names and email addresses of group recipients | When sending an email to a group, do not place the recipients’ names and addresses in the "to" field. Doing so exposes everyone’s personal email addresses to the full list, which can compromise members’ privacy and create unintended risks. Once visible, these addresses can be copied, forwarded, or added to other lists without permission. For an organization like LWVPBC, where our members rely on us for safe communication, protecting personal information is not just courteous, it is essential.
Using BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) keeps everyone’s email address hidden from other recipients, providing an easy and effective layer of security. It prevents accidental “Reply All” chains, reduces the chance of phishing or spam targeting our members, and helps ensure that personal information is shared only when a member chooses to share it. In short, BCC protects both the security and the safety of LWVPBC members, and it should be standard practice whenever emailing groups.
— Daniel Lishansky, Web Team chair
| TASTE OF THE LEAGUE GETS A NEW FORMAT
|  | | Linda Sorenson gives the history
of the League. |  | Alice Mann explains the new format
to attendees. | | |
The Membership Team hosted a “Taste of the League” orientation on Nov. 15. This was an introduction for new members and for those who have an interest in the League. Fifty-nine people got a "taste" of the League by learning about its mission, what it accomplishes, its history and how attendees can make a difference in their community. The positive feedback was encouraging for the Membership Team as it implemented a new format.
— Donna Colabella, Membership Co-Chair | A WARM-HEARTED WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Linda Weiner (Boca Raton), Karen Matthews (Gulf Stream), Marvelous Washington (Riviera Beach), Deborah MacLachlan (Boynton Beach), Susan Toepfer (Boynton Beach), Sarah Zucker (Boynton Beach), Davele Bursor (Lake Worth), Jacquelyn Hanser (Delray Beach), Ellen Tuggle (Lantana), Whitney Powell (West Palm Beach) and Rebecca Ansari (Tallahassee).
— Linda Sorenson, Membership
| NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE | SUIT FIGHTS EXCLUSION FROM CITIZENSHIP EVENTS
‘For decades, the League has been a fixture at naturalization ceremonies across the country, helping new Americans register to vote on the first day of their citizenship.’
| BLOG: UNITE AND RISE 8.5: AN INITIATIVE TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY
Until 2026 midterm elections, League will engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters
to protect and preserve our democracy.
| CARNEGIE CORP. GIVES $1M TO LWV EDUCATION FUND
Donation will enable League to boost youth-focused initiatives
on civic education and engagement.
| WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATIONS TEAM UP TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY
Grassroots Power Partners initiative to bring groups together to expand civic participation, strengthen community connections.
| |