An informed community is a strong community.
That motto guides Mae Hazelton, of Leesburg, in her efforts to assist with planning the Community Development Corporation of Leesburg’s People’s Brunch every month for the past three years.
Hazelton, who began attending the community brunch events four years ago, said it is a way for community members to stay updated on news and resources available within the Leesburg and Lake County communities.
“The People’s Brunch is a key avenue for disseminating information,” Hazelton said. “Many of our community and church leaders attend the brunch to share information about their organizations. We also share nonpartisan voter information, health and cultural resources within our Lake County community.”
Hazelton and Lillian Lockette, the co-social justice chairs of the Lake, Sumter, Marion Section of the National Council of Negro Women, assisted the CDC of Leesburg with hosting the Mid-Summer People’s Brunch on July 9.
Held during what is usually a hiatus period for the brunch — from June to September — Hazelton said CDC board members decided to host the brunch to provide vital information about voting ahead of primary elections, which begin with early voting on Aug. 6 in
Lake County.
“The community is assaulted by misinformation and disinformation. There is just so much, so it is critical to give verified, fact-checked information out to the community so we can challenge the disinformation — especially as the primary election gets closer,” said Hazelton, co-founder and vice-president of All About the Ballot, a nonprofit working to educate citizens about voting and civic action.
Those who attended the brunch heard from Lake County-based groups including the Tri-City Branch NAACP of Lake County, the Criterion Civic Club and the Charmettes.
Keynote speakers were staff from the office of the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office and Larry Colleton, president of the Florida Voters League.
Along with sharing information and answering questions from the audience, staff from the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office registered people to vote and ensured their information on file was up to date.
Cecelia Canady, Lake County Supervisor of Elections director of voter services, and Tina Dawson, Lake County Supervisor of Elections manager of outreach and elections support, shared information on important dates in the 2026 election cycle, the importance of going to your specific polling location on Election Day and how to find your designated voting precinct.
Dawson also told the group that accuracy testing of voter equipment, which is open to the public, will be held at 9 a.m. July 31 at the Supervisor of Elections office, 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares.
Educating the public and holding public accuracy tests are key to building trust with voters, Dawson and Canady said.
“We want to make sure that we are transparent and you know what you are doing,” Dawson said.
Canady explained how people living in nursing homes and retirement facilities are able to participate in legal supervised voting as required by state law, sharing that 14 out of the 62 facilities in Lake County have reached out to confirm a supervised voting day at their respective facilities.
“There is a secure process in place, so no one at the facility is able to vote unless they previously communicated the request to the facility,” she said. “Those facilities are often a part of our underserved community, but our office can go to set up voting for residents who request it.”
Colleton, president of the nonprofit that strives for 100% voter registration, took the microphone next, stressing the importance of not just voting, but being an educated voter.
“An informed and engaged electorate makes democracy strong,” he said.
Nicole Morris, candidate for Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Group 27, spoke next about growing up in Lake County, her work experience and the importance of voting.
It is important for the public to be armed with accurate information from a voice of authority so they can confidently exercise their right to vote, Morris said.
“The laws are always changing,” Morris said. “Having the Supervisor of Elections here is so important, so people are informed and can exercise their right to vote. I think it’s great. If you don’t vote, your voice won’t be heard.”
As the event came to a close, Hazelton reflected on the information shared throughout the event, saying, “This is what community is all about.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
