The Voter

December 2021

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view it as a webpage.

President's Message

By Lynn Frazier

Dear Alachua County,

This is the last issue of the Voter for 2021. I wish we could say that our hard work this year has solved all problems. Sadly, that is not true, and we must jump into the 2022 year with renewed commitment and determination of empowering voters and defending democracy. The fight against voter suppression laws in court is ongoing. Our LWV grassroots action of candidate forums, voter guides, registering voters, and being actively engaged in getting out the vote is an ongoing necessity.

We must continue to follow closely the redistricting process. The decision on state redistricting will impact our voting for the next decade. The currently proposed maps split Alachua County. As a Board, we drafted and widely distributed a resolution requesting the Florida Senate direct staff to draft a constitutionally compliant Florida Senate map that retains Alachua County in a single district. You can follow the latest on redistricting, including how to read and comment on the maps on our website.

For the next few weeks, however, let’s take the time to enter the holiday season and enjoy family and friends and all the good fortune in our lives. To each of you, a sincere thank you for your membership in and support of the League.

I wish you a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with successful citizen activism.

Lynn

elgfrazier@gmail.com

Redistricting in Florida

Strength in Unity

by Diane Dimperio

Many of us are starting to think about gifts, decorations, and menus. But just for a minute, put on your civic responsibility hat and take action to protect the power of your vote.

All eight versions of the Senate redistricting maps divide Alachua county into 2 districts. This dilutes the ability of our community to elect a candidate who reflects our values.

Please submit testimony on the State of Florida Redistricting website registering your dissatisfaction with this element of the maps. Tips for what to say and instructions on how to get to the site are here.

It is really important that Alachua County residents speak out because the maps are generally getting good feedback.

Follow redistricting in Florida with the ongoing series of articles about the redistricting process in Florida on the LWVAC Redistricting webpage.

Attack on Solar Rights

LWVFL Clean Energy Committee Meeting - 12/15 @ 5:00 PM

The LWVFL Clean Energy Committee invites you to their monthly statewide call featuring Heaven Campbell, Florida Program Director of Solar United Neighbors of Florida.

Please come and learn about the Net Metering Threat and get your questions answered by our content expert, Heaven Campbell. Many of you have solar, know people who have solar, and/or have worked hard along with our partners, Solar United Neighbors of Florida to bring rooftop solar to your area via solar co-ops. Even if you don't have solar, this impacts jobs, the economy, and clean energy in Florida, things we care deeply about. Please share this information freely with your friends.

You must register in advance for this meeting using this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Introducing Your LWVAC Committees

In this section, we are introducing you to your LWVAC Committees, with one Committee highlighted per month. Committees are the best way to get involved in LWVAC and your local community. Feel free to reach out to the Committee Chairs to express interest, join their meetings, and get involved.

Local Issues

The Local Issues Committee identifies, studies, and acts on issues of ongoing importance to voters and all citizens of Alachua County and Gainesville. The committee discusses the governance of our city and county by its two elected commissions and by state legislation.

Meetings are currently held online through Zoom and are open to all League members. They are held at 5:30 PM on the third Thursday of every month. Contact the committee chair, Jeff Shapiro, to receive the agenda and invitations to attend.

Meanwhile, view details of current activities on the Local Issues webpage. Recent meetings have addressed:

City planning and development and their effects on residents;
Disproportionate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income and minority communities;
Distribution and planning of healthcare facilities in Alachua County and Gainesville;
Mounting effects of climate change on housing and migration into the region; and
Preemption of home rule and local governance by state legislation.

The Local Issues Committee partners with organizations such as the NAACP and its Environmental Justice Committee, our own LWVAC Natural Resources Committee, the Community Weatherization Coalition, and the Alachua County and Gainesville City commissions. It is a warm and welcoming committee of fellow citizens who care deeply about the state of our county and city.

Please join us! The next meeting is on 12/16 at 6:00 PM.

Cybersecurity Tips

If you’ve started your holiday shopping, you may receive purchase confirmation emails from vendors. Unfortunately, cybercriminals send their own version of these emails in hopes of receiving your credit card and other personal information.

In this scam, cybercriminals send you a fake purchase confirmation email that appears to come from a legitimate vendor. The email contains details about a phony purchase, including the payment amount. To review the purchase further, you can click a link or button in the email. If you click this button, you will give away your password and payment information. You may arrive at the real website, but you won’t find information about the purchase. As a last resort, you may be tempted to call the customer service phone number in the email. If you do call, you’ll be asked to provide your credit card number and CVV number to cancel the purchase. Instead of canceling the purchase, you’ll grant cybercriminals access to your credit card.

Don’t fall for this scam! Follow the tips below to stay safe:

Don’t click links in emails you weren’t expecting. If you click a malicious link, malware or other malicious software may be downloaded onto your device.
Watch out for fake From addresses and customer service phone numbers. If you need assistance, go directly to the vendor’s website to find their customer service phone number or email address. Do not click the link in the email.
Don’t share sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or social security numbers, over the phone.

Get Involved

OutreachCircle

is a fun way to follow LWV and get involved with regular action items on the most important issues of our day. Just scan the QR code with a QR reader or iPhone camera or use this link.