County Library Blocks Voter Guide

Manatee County public libraries will no longer hold printed voter guides from the local League of Women Voters. The organization learned this year that its distribution efforts violated a long-standing policy restricting political display material in county facilities. This marks the first time the county has blocked the group's printed guides, which have been available in these locations since 2024.

The guides contain general voting information and verbatim responses from candidates in local races. They do not include endorsements. Ruth Harenchar, president of the local League chapter, told commissioners last week that the guides were distributed without issue for many years. She argued that recent restrictions on civic information have increased without public debate or board approval. Harenchar urged the commission to revisit the policy in a public forum.

County spokesperson Casey Zempel explained that the restrictions stem from a 2017 memorandum from the county attorney's office. That memo addressed political petitioning and campaigning in libraries. Zempel stated that the same standards now apply to library displays to ensure consistent, viewpoint-neutral rules for outside organizations. The county aims to manage facilities fairly while allowing staff to focus on resident services.

The dispute intensified ahead of the 2026 primary election. League volunteers discovered their materials were noncompliant when they attempted to distribute them. Emails reviewed by WUSF show county staff also prohibited the group from hanging flyers advertising informational events on constitutional amendments. Staff cited the political nature of those flyers as the reason for the ban.

Commissioners discussed the policy during a regular meeting on July 28, though they have never voted on it. Chairman Tal Siddique expressed concern that allowing one nonprofit to distribute materials would require the county to allow every group to do so. He argued this could burden staff. Siddique said it is easier to deny everyone access to library display space. He noted that groups could stand outside or use websites instead. He favored blocking all campaign material, whether partisan or nonpartisan.

Commissioner George Kruse disagreed with Siddique's position during the same meeting. The county's stance contrasts with nearby Palm Beach County, which reversed a similar ban after public pushback. Manatee County libraries remain bound by the current policy for the upcoming election cycle.