About Us
About Us
VoteWater, formerly Bullsugar.org, is a grassroots organization founded by Stuart residents in August 2014 on the belief that stopping the damaging discharges to our coasts and restoring the Everglades is not a science or engineering problem. The science has been known for decades. Our problem is a political problem - and it requires a political solution.
Our Mission
Inspiring Floridians to demand leaders and policies that promote clean water.
Our Vision
To preserve and protect the public’s right to clean and sustainable water by:
- Identifying and elevating environmentally responsible candidates for public office;
- Influencing elected officials to advance and vote for clean-water policies;
- Conducting in-depth analyses and investigations into crucial clean-water topics to raise awareness and inspire activism rooted in a comprehensive knowledge of the issues.
We will serve as the voice and conscience of 22 million Floridians who recognize the importance of clean water to marine life, human life, and economic vitality.
Accomplishments
IN 2024 WE PUBLISHED our landmark “Dirty Money Project,” a massive database showing how polluting industries like Big Sugar shower politicians with campaign cash in order to get what they want. The project has gotten hundreds of thousands of views online and generated big-time media attention; most importantly, it’s been a resource for voters who want to know how much money their local politicians are taking from polluters — and how that affects policy.
And there’s more to come in 2025 — stay tuned.
IN 2024 VOTEWATER PLAYED A KEY ROLE in the defeat of a proposal to develop Florida’s State Parks; Executive Director Gil Smart was quoted prominently in media reports on the controversy; our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram) helped inform and marshal opposition, with thousands of “likes” and shares.
Gov. Ron DeSantis withdrew the proposal in response to the opposition, and in May 2025 the state Legislature passed a bill to protect state parks, thanks in part to our advocacy.
WHEN THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS began discharging water from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries on Feb. 17, VoteWater immediately called for lawmakers to take a public stand against the discharges; we hosted a town hall meeting in Sewall’s Point where angry residents could vent their concerns and seek solutions; and our “Lake Okeechobee Discharge Ticker” and other social media efforts turned up the heat on decision-makers. The discharges were halted in April; but a new round began in December as the Corps put the lake in “Recovery Mode,” demonstrating the need to Rescue the River of Grass and curtail discharges for good.
THREE OF THE FIVE POLITICAL CANDIDATES VoteWater endorsed during the 2024 cycle won — Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was re-elected, as was Congressman Brian Mast; and in Islamorada, we backed Steve Friedman in his winning bid for Village Council. Better policy-makers lead to better policy — and VoteWater will continue to focus on educating voters and helping them elect clean-water candidates who will fight for our waterways.
FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS VoteWater pushed for a better Lake Okeechobee water management plan, speaking out in person and online and marshaling public support to cut discharges and minimize harm to the northern estuaries. The resulting Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual finally took effect in August.
It isn’t perfect, as shown by the fact “Recovery Operations” (discharges) began anew Dec. 7. But for the first time, it factors in the human health risk of toxic algae and over time it should lead to a decrease in damaging discharges and guarantee the lake is managed more equitably.
