Manatee County League of Women Voters faces library distribution ban

Voters in Manatee County received a notice this year that the local League of Women Voters could no longer distribute its printed guides in public libraries. The group, which has placed copies in county branches through 2024, was surprised by the change as the 2026 primary election approached.

The guides contain general voter information and verbatim responses from candidates in local races, without endorsements. Ruth Harenchar, president of the local chapter, told commissioners last week that the organization had distributed materials without controversy for years. She noted that restrictions on civic information and educational programming have increased recently, yet the board had not publicly discussed or approved the specific policies governing these displays.

Harenchar urged the commission to reconsider the policy in a public forum. She also pointed out that the nonprofit was barred from hanging flyers at library branches to advertise informational events on 2026 constitutional amendments because of their political nature.

Casey Zempel, a county spokesperson, explained that the ban relies on a long-standing policy limiting political display material. Zempel cited a 2017 memorandum from the county attorney’s office that addresses political petitioning and campaigning in public libraries. The county applies these same restrictions to materials intended for library displays to maintain consistent, viewpoint-neutral standards for outside organizations.

Zempel stated in an emailed statement that the intent is not to single out the League or discourage civic participation. The goal is to ensure county facilities are managed fairly while allowing library staff to focus on providing services and resources to residents.

Commissioners discussed the issue during a regular meeting on July 28, though they have never formally voted on the policy. Chairman Tal Siddique echoed concerns from the county attorney that allowing one nonprofit to distribute information would require allowing every group to do so. He argued this could unduly burden staff. "It's easier to just deny everyone .. So nobody's allowed, and you can stand outside the library if you want to distribute them or something like that, or direct them to your website. It's easier on our staff," Siddique said. He added that while he understands the free speech argument, he favors not allowing any campaign material, nonpartisan or otherwise, in the library.

Commissioner George Kruse disagreed with that approach. In nearby Palm Beach County, officials recently reversed a similar ban on nonpartisan voter guides after receiving public pushback.