November 2025 Update
National Overview
There are many misconceptions about the constitutionality of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Watch this brief video, narrated by John Kozal, which appears on the NPV website, and learn the facts!
What’s Happening in Florida
Legislative Update
Status of National Popular Vote Bills in State Legislature
We are pleased to announce that Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (District 17) has agreed to take over the sponsorship of Senate Bill SB 232, recommending that legislators vote to adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) for the state of Florida. Representative Michael Gottlieb (District 102) will continue to sponsor House Bill HB 57.
Floridians for National Popular Vote (FNPV) Go to Tallahassee!
Dear Colleagues:
As you may be aware, each September to mid-December marks “Committee Weeks” season for the Florida State Legislature in Tallahassee, during which time committees from both houses meet every other week. FNVP uses this opportunity to meet with representatives to encourage support of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
So, on November 4th and 5th Steering Committee member Valerie Schulz and I spent two days working to get NVP passed in one of the most conservative states in the U.S. Given the political realities of Florida we had modest expectations. Overall, we were pleased with our results.
Prior to traveling to Tallahassee, emails were sent to Democratic House and Senate members inviting them to co-sponsor the bills and requesting in-person meetings.
We had three objectives for this trip:
- Support of our NPV champions, Rep. Michael Gottlieb who filed HB 57 in the House, and Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith who filed SB 232 to jump-start the process of securing 35 Democratic co-sponsors (25 House and 10 Senate).
- Obtain commitments from 2 or 3 Republicans as co-sponsors so the bills might have bi-partisan support.
- To secure a hearing in one of the committees to which the House and Senate bills were referred. (The first committee referral for the House was Government Operations.)
Our first scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 4th was to be with Rep. Daryl Campbell of Broward County, the ranking Democrat on the Government Operations Committee. Rep. Campbell is an enthusiastic supporter of NPV. Unfortunately, the Congressman had a last-minute conflict, so we met with his very talented Legislative Aide, Charles Horowitz, who conveyed our spiel. Luckily, we were able to arrange a meeting with another legislator.
Having co-sponsors for the bills is very important because it demonstrates to the leadership the breadth of support for a bill. Typically a bill needs 30-40 co-sponsors and support from the leadership of both parties to get passed. We left Tallahassee with the following results:
- Committed co-sponsors: 9 in the House and 3 in the Senate;
- Promise to co-sponsor: 3 in the House and 1 in the Senate
- Considering co-sponsorship: 22 in the House and 9 in the Senate
- Mildly interested in NPV: 2 Republicans
Our job is now to follow up with the Legislative Aids regarding the above, with the potential assistance of Rep. Gottlieb and Sen. Guillermo Smith.
This is a process that FNPV has been following each year since 2018, with increasing success each year. While it’s not easy, it’s very rewarding when a Legislator finally “gets” NPV and becomes a fan!
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Local Happenings
FNPV Steering Committee Members and Friends Speak on Behalf of NPV at County Legislative Delegation Hearings
(These hearings, held by both Democrats and Republicans, provide a space where local organizations can speak briefly about important issues in their county.)
Several members of FNPV took advantage of this opportunity to urge our legislators to support the NPV initiative by co-sponsoring the NPV bills in both chambers. We were represented in the following counties:
- Pinellas: On September 24,Sarah Peacock and Paul Carder presented before the Pinellas County Delegation, held at St. Pete’s College in Clearwater.
- Hillsborough: Paul Carder spoke before the Hillsborough Delegation at the Pepin Center on October 21.
- Washington: Alvin Peters
- Palm Beach: On September 30 FNPV was represented by Dan Lashansky who spoke before the Delegation meeting held at the Canyon Branch Library in Boynton Beach.
- Indian River: Hearings held on October 22. Kathleen Crampton presented.
- St. Lucie: Ms. Crampton presented on October 29
- Manatee: Deb Mazzaferro represented FNPV on October 27th.
- Sarasota: Deb Mazzaferro presented on November 13th.
To Come:
- Miami Dade: to be held on December 15. Kathleen Crampton to present.
“The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an elegant solution to an unjust problem. Unlike a U.S. constitutional amendment, it does not preempt states rights, the Electoral College remains intact, and my vote would be equal to every other American’s.”
Sarah Peacock
(from her presentation before the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation Hearings)
Local Presentations
LWV-Miami
On Saturday, October 4th, the Board and membership of the Miami chapter of the LWV attended a presentation about NPV given by Kathleen Crampton, FNPV Steering Committee coordinator. The discussion, which was held at 2:30 at the Kendall Public Library in Miami. A lively Q & A session followed.
Democratic Women’s Club of West Orange County
At 1:30 PM on Saturday, October 25, 2025 approximately 30 members of this organization met at the West Oaks Mall gathering space to listen to FNPV steering committee member Anne Coppenhaver discuss, assisted by Elizabeth Powers-Byrd, the NPVIC and review the actual bills now before the Florida legislature, both House and Senate. Reception was enthusiastic and the group was urged to email their newly elected representative, Rashon Young, member of the House Government Operations Committee to encourage his support of HB 57 in their next committee meeting.
Unite and Rise for Democracy Rally
On November 1st, 2025 the LWV of Manatee County held a gathering at Rossi Park, Bradenton Riverwalk, aimed at mobilizing voters, uplifting democratic values, and building civic momentum. Floridians for National Popular Vote exhibited with 18 other civic organizations. Speakers, music, and food trucks filled the park. Concerned citizens came out to learn about defending democracy, voting rights, and how to become engaged in grassroots organizations.
Steering Committee Member Deb Mazzaferro managed the FNPV booth and engaged in lively conversation with many concerned citizens wanting to know more about how to elect the President by the NPV.
Myth Busters
Myth: NPV will generate lawsuits..
Reality:
- There will be lawsuits against NPV because too many in powerful political positions will fear a nationwide vote.
- The lawsuits will be filed by the same people warning that lawsuits will be filed.
- NPV was written to withstand lawsuits. It adheres to the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court has always stated, even recently, that states can determine for themselves how their electoral votes are awarded.
(Source: Every Vote Equal)
Meet the FNPV Steering Committee: Deb Mazzaferro
Deb Mazzaferro believes the NPVIC is the best way to ensure every vote counts in electing the president and vice-president. Since 2017 she has been an advocate, Subject Matter Expert and founding member of Floridians for NPV.
Deb’s role includes building coalitions, marketing and legislative advocacy.
Since 2001, Deb has been known as CoachMaz, guiding small businesses in their sales and marketing strategy and execution.
CoachMaz has a BS in Business from Rochester Institute of Technology, is certified as a Gestalt Trained Coach, is a first level wine geek certified by the Master Court of Sommeliers and is certified by The Prioritized Leader and Positive Intelligence.
Deb grew up in Rochester, NY, and spent 11 years in Pennsylvania. She moved to Florida in 1987 and currently resides in Bradenton.
In addition to NPV, Deb volunteers as the League of Women Voters liaison to New College of Florida assisting the LWV campus club in voting reforms and serves on the Tara Master Association Board of Directors where she leads the Community Action Committee. For fun she plays golf and loves to cook for friends.