Photos by Gwendolyn Saffo and Candy Birch
On October 26th our Alachua County League resumed its traditional fall luncheon after three years of suspension due to the pandemic. Members were excited to see each other again. There was lots of animated conversation before the meeting was called to order and a delicious meal was served.
As members entered, there were tables set up for the Voter Service Committee, the Supervisor of Elections, and the Returning Citizens Card Writing Project so that members could volunteer. President Janice Garry gave a review of our many current activities, announced the formation of ad hoc committees on gun violence prevention and health care, and reported the formation of student chapters at both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.
LWV of Florida Secretary and Voter Services Chair, Dr. Monica Elliot, reviewed the history of unsavory legislation in Florida that resulted from one-party control of the legislature in the mid-twentieth century. The excesses finally led to reform and a new state constitution. We are now again experiencing the effects of one-party control but with a different party in power. She then discussed bills that have already been filed for the upcoming 2024 Florida legislative session which would impact League priority issues (Voting Rights & Election Reform, Reproductive Health & Justice, Education, and Gun Violence Prevention). It is too early to tell which of the hundreds of bills filed will survive the journey to being presented for a vote, but all potentially pertinent ones will need to be watched carefully in the next months. Monica’s presentation was both informative and entertaining and is available 
here. We are grateful to Monica for sharing her time and knowledge and for making her presentation available.
Approximately 70 people attended, including several local elected officials. Afterward, there were many comments of appreciation for the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company while being informed of League issues.
