In July, 1959, a group of community-minded women decided to form the League of Women Voters of Manatee County. They applied for a charter as a Provisional League and received official approval in April 1960.

Workshops were conducted to familiarize the members with their county.  The Provisional League studied the functions of the county commission, the county departments, library improvement, the hospital, sanitation, local tax structures, slum clearance, community planning, care of psychotic children, and the availability of culture and recreation in Manatee County. These programs led to the publication of the first Know Manatee County, the prerequisite for admission as a full-fledged League.

This status was acquired in May, 1962, and permitted study of national, state and local issues and problems. The new League chose to work on voters service and membership; and decided to study The United Nations and Foreign Economic Policy (national), apportionment (state), and home rule (local).