April 2026
Letter from the Chair
Please be aware, the deadline to vote by mail for the August 18 Primary is on August 6, 2026.
With everything happening nationally and across Florida affecting access to the ballot, taking this step today is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your vote.
Signing up for Vote-by-Mail doesn’t replace voting in person—it strengthens it. Having your ballot in hand before Election Day is like an insurance policy for your vote, giving you time to review candidates, understand the issues, and avoid long lines, scheduling conflicts, or last-minute obstacles.
If you choose, you can still bring your completed ballot to a secure drop box or go to the polls and vote in person instead. But by signing up for vote by mail, you ensure that no matter what happens—busy schedules, bad weather, or unforeseen circumstances—you already have a secure path to cast your vote.
This election is critical. Along with key federal and state races, we have a real opportunity to elect two school board candidates who will directly shape our children’s education and the future of Collier County Public Schools.
Don’t wait. Re-enroll in Vote-by-Mail today to make sure your voice is heard on August 18. Visit CollierVotes.gov or call 239-252-8683 now.
The Collier County Democratic Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 8
6:00 – 9:00 pm
5010 9th Street North,
Naples, FL 34103
(in the Heritage Court Plaza)
We’re excited to welcome a very special guest! The chair of the Florida Democratic Party Nikki Fried is joining via zoom to give us all a shot in the arm
Click here for more information!
Social time begins at 5:30 pm. Business meeting begins at 6:30 pm
The Collier County Democratic Club Meeting
Monday, April 13
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
5010 9th Street N
Naples, FL 34103
(in the Heritage Court Plaza)
Veteran journalist Jeff Bruce will speak on the challenges of reporting under the current administration. With a career spanning major outlets like the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times, he is also the founder of Tropic Press and a former communications director and board member of the Collier County Democratic Party.
Democratic Women’s Club of Marco Meeting
Tuesday, March 24
5:00 pm- 6:30 pm in person
Mackle Park Community Center
1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island
Our featured speakers, Susan S. Jones, Chair, and Tom Conroy, Board Member of the Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve, will share the history, significance, and natural wonders of the Preserve. They will also highlight their work building a philanthropic partnership with Big Cypress and the National Park Service to support education, research, conservation, and critical infrastructure needs.
Join Us! Doors open for sign in at 4:45pm, and the meeting will begin promptly at 5:00pm. Please be on time.
|
The goal of the DECF is to elect Democrats who understand good environmental policy and will govern accordingly. Please join both our state DECF and our Collier County Chapter. Lend your support or help with our 2026 election activities. These include:
Become a Member – Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida |
Any questions, feel free to contact: Judy Freiberg President, CCDECF – judyfreiberg@sbcglobal.net
VOTER PROTECTION VOLUNTEERS – URGENTLY NEEDED
|
Volunteering to join the Voter Protection Team is one of the most meaningful ways to safeguard our democracy and support our candidates. At its core, voter protection is about ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot freely, safely, and with confidence that it will be counted. By stepping up as a volunteer, you become part of the front line in protecting that fundamental right. We are currently seeking dedicated volunteers to serve as poll greeters and poll watchers during early voting and on Election Day. Poll greeters play a vital role in welcoming voters, answering basic questions, and helping create a calm, positive environment at polling locations. Often, a friendly face can ease anxiety and encourage participation. Poll watchers, on the other hand, are trained to observe the voting process, ensuring that procedures are followed correctly and that any issues are documented and addressed appropriately. This is a unique opportunity to directly support Democratic candidates while also strengthening the integrity of our voting system. Your presence helps deter misinformation, identify potential problems, and reassure voters that the process is fair and transparent. No matter your level of experience, there is a place for you on the Voter Protection Team. Training and guidance are provided so you feel confident in your role. Whether you can give a few hours or a full day, your contribution makes a real difference. Democracy works best when we all participate—not just by voting, but by protecting the vote. Volunteering for voter protection is a powerful way to stand up for your community and ensure that every voice is heard. |
Trump’s Push to Control Mail Voting Raises Serious Constitutional Concerns |
|
In a move that cuts to the core of American democracy, Donald Trump on March 31, 2026 has signed an executive order attempting to reshape how Americans vote, despite lacking clear constitutional authority to do so. Framed as an effort to prevent fraud, the order instead raises urgent questions about federal overreach, voter access, and the integrity of the electoral system itself. Mr. Trump’s latest order attempts to harness the U.S. Postal Service to control who gets access to mail ballots. The order seeks to create a national “citizenship list” using federal databases, including Social Security and naturalization records, to determine who is eligible to vote. It directs federal agencies to share this list with state election officials and instructs the U.S. Postal Service to withhold mail-in ballots from anyone not included. It also prioritizes prosecution of election officials who provide ballots to individuals deemed ineligible. At its core, this effort attempts to insert the federal government into a process the Constitution largely reserves for the states. The “time, place, and manner” of elections are primarily determined at the state level, with Congress, not the executive branch, granted authority to regulate them. Legal experts across the political spectrum have already questioned the order’s validity, and several states are preparing to challenge it in court. The justification for these sweeping changes rests on claims of widespread voter fraud, particularly tied to mail-in voting. But those claims have been repeatedly investigated and consistently disproven. Election data shows that voter fraud in the United States is exceedingly rare, and no credible evidence supports allegations of large-scale abuse of mail ballots. Beyond its legal weaknesses, the proposal presents serious practical problems. Election officials warn that any national voter database would quickly become outdated and error-prone, as voter information constantly changes due to moves, deaths, and new registrations. Errors in such a system could result in eligible voters being wrongly excluded, effectively disenfranchising thousands. Even more telling is the lack of broad support for such measures. Efforts to obtain comprehensive voter data from states have largely failed, with many, including some Republican-led states, resisting federal requests. This underscores a bipartisan concern about federal intrusion into state-run elections. Ultimately, this executive order is less about election security and more about control. It risks undermining confidence in elections while creating new barriers to participation. Conclusion This is a defining moment for voting rights in America. Efforts to centralize control over elections, especially based on unproven claims, should concern every voter, regardless of party. The strength of American democracy depends on fair access, transparent systems, and respect for constitutional boundaries. Policies that erode those principles must be challenged through the courts, through public discourse, and ultimately at the ballot box. Call to Action Register to Vote by Mail and with your family and friends, VOTE for Democratic Party candidates and their policy proposals. |
El Impulso de Trump Para Controlar el Voto por Correo – Suscita Serias Preocupaciones Constitucionales |
|
En una medida que afecta la esencia misma de la democracia estadounidense, Donald Trump firmó el 31 de marzo de 2026 una orden ejecutiva con la que intenta reconfigurar la forma en que votan los estadounidenses, a pesar de carecer de una autoridad constitucional clara para ello. Presentada como un esfuerzo para prevenir el fraude, la orden plantea, en cambio, interrogantes urgentes sobre el exceso de autoridad federal, el acceso de los votantes a las urnas y la integridad del propio sistema electoral. La última orden del Sr. Trump intenta utilizar el Servicio Postal de los EE. UU. para controlar quién tiene acceso a las papeletas de voto por correo. La orden busca crear una “lista de ciudadanía” a nivel nacional utilizando bases de datos federales, incluidos los registros del Seguro Social y de naturalización, para determinar quién es elegible para votar. Asimismo, instruye a las agencias federales a compartir dicha lista con los funcionarios electorales estatales y ordena al Servicio Postal de los EE. UU. retener las papeletas de voto por correo de cualquier persona que no figure en ella. También prioriza el enjuiciamiento de aquellos funcionarios electorales que proporcionen papeletas a individuos considerados no elegibles. En esencia, este esfuerzo intenta insertar al gobierno federal en un proceso que la Constitución reserva, en gran medida, a los estados. El tiempo, lugar y modo de las elecciones se determinan principalmente a nivel estatal, siendo el Congreso, y no el poder ejecutivo, la entidad a la que se le otorga la autoridad para regularlos. Expertos jurídicos de todo el espectro político ya han cuestionado la validez de la orden, y varios estados se preparan para impugnarla ante los tribunales. La justificación de estos cambios de gran alcance se basa en alegaciones de fraude electoral generalizado, vinculado particularmente al voto por correo. Sin embargo, dichas alegaciones han sido investigadas reiteradamente y desmentidas de manera sistemática. Los datos electorales demuestran que el fraude electoral en los Estados Unidos es sumamente infrecuente, y no existe evidencia creíble que respalde las acusaciones de un abuso a gran escala de las papeletas enviadas por correo. Más allá de sus debilidades jurídicas, la propuesta plantea serios problemas prácticos. Los funcionarios electorales advierten que cualquier base de datos nacional de votantes quedaría obsoleta con rapidez y sería propensa a errores, dado que la información de los votantes cambia constantemente debido a mudanzas, fallecimientos y nuevas inscripciones. Los errores en un sistema de este tipo podrían tener como consecuencia la exclusión indebida de votantes elegibles, privando de hecho del derecho al voto a miles de personas, posiblemente hasta millones. Aún más reveladora es la falta de un apoyo generalizado a tales medidas. Los esfuerzos por obtener datos electorales exhaustivos de los estados han fracasado en gran medida, ya que muchos de ellos, incluyendo algunos gobernados por republicanos. se han resistido a las solicitudes federales. Esto pone de relieve una preocupación bipartidista respecto a la intromisión federal en las elecciones administradas por los estados.En última instancia, esta orden ejecutiva tiene menos que ver con la seguridad electoral y más con el control. Corre el riesgo de socavar la confianza en los procesos electorales, al tiempo que crea nuevas barreras para la participación. Conclusión Este es un momento decisivo para los derechos de voto en Estados Unidos. Los intentos de centralizar el control sobre las elecciones, especialmente cuando se basan en afirmaciones no comprobadas, deberían preocupar a todo votante, independientemente de su afiliación partidista. La solidez de la democracia estadounidense depende de un acceso equitativo, de sistemas transparentes y del respeto a los límites constitucionales. Las políticas que erosionen estos principios deben ser impugnadas a través de los tribunales, del debate público y, en última instancia, en las urnas. Llamado a la Acción Regístrese para votar por correo y, junto con su familia y amigos, VOTE por los candidatos del Partido Demócrata y sus propuestas políticas. |
Engage in Your Community! |
|
Collier County Board of County Commissioners hold public meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 9:00am in the BCC Chambers on the 3rd floor of the Government Center. Agendas and minutes are available here. Other Collier County committee meetings are listed on their calendar. The County Commission seats for Districts 2 and 4 will be on the ballot in the August 18, 2026 Primary election. If you’re interested in shaping the future of Collier County, now is the time to consider stepping forward and running for County Commissioner. Please call (239) 434-7754 for more information. The Collier County School Board normally holds public meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 9:00am at the Dr Martin Luther King Administrative Center (5775 Osceola Trail, Naples), unless noted otherwise. Agendas and minutes are available here (click on Meetings at the top). School Board seats for Districts 1, 3, and 5 will be open in the August 18, 2026 Primary election. If you are interested in running to serve the children of Collier County, now is the time to begin preparing. Please contact Carrie Stewart for information. Naples City Council normally holds its regular public meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8:30am in the City Hall Council Chambers at 735 8th Street South. You can view agendas and minutes, and watch the meetings live online using the foregoing link. The Marco Island City Council normally holds public meetings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 5:30pm in the Dr. Fay and Bedford Biles Community Room, 51 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island. Agendas and minutes are available here. If you know of other local government meetings and events we should list here, please email Sandy Ussia at sandy.ussia303@gmail.com |
If you know of other local government meetings and events we should list here, please email Sandy Ussia at sandy.ussia303@gmail.com
Your Voice. Your Future. Your Power
Now more than ever, young people are changing the world—and Florida Young Democrats is where that momentum begins.
We’re building a movement of bold, diverse leaders ready to make real change. By joining Florida Young Democrats, you’re not just standing up for your future—you’re stepping into your power. Together, we amplify youth voices in the political process, fight for legislation that benefits our generation, and elect Young Democrats who reflect our values and our vision.
Whether you’re passionate about justice, climate, education, housing, or voting rights—this is your place to turn that passion into action.
Join the Collier County Chapter of the Florida Young Democrats.
Be heard. Be seen. Be the difference.
Trusted News Sources!
Have you had enough of watching the news on TV, or reading national newspapers? If so, we can recommend some alternative news sources!
We’ve added a new web page listing local and national progressive information sources, as well as trusted blogs and social media commentary. Want to suggest other sources for this page? Contact Us!
The Collier County Democratic Executive Committee (CCDEC) is the official, local county arm of the Florida Democratic Party. The CCDEC has oversight over all Democratic Party activities within Collier County. LEARN MORE
The Collier County Democratic Party is an all-volunteer, entirely donor-funded organization. Our local party can not exist without volunteers and donors like you.