LWVW Quarterly Newsletter

August 2024

In this issue:

  • Message from the President
  • Upcoming League Events
  • Recap of Recent Events
  • Committee Reports
  • Voter Service
  • Important Deadlines for General Election
  • National Voter Registration Day
  • Upcoming Candidate Forums
  • Naturalization Ceremonies
  • Advocacy and Education
  • Environmental Issues
  • ERA Amendment to the NYS Constitution
  • Youth Engagement
  • Youth Corp
  • Running & Winning
  • Students Inside Albany
  • Directory of Officials
  • Volunteers Needed
  • LWVW Board of Directors and Committee Chairs

LWVW President's Message

Thoughts from Kathy Meany...


Welcome to Election Season 2024! 


Here in the United States, election season is longer than in most other countries. Primaries begin before the spring rhubarb and stretch on through the summer harvest. Early Mail and Absentee ballots applications are in the works, and early voting is getting ready to begin October 26, 2024 in New York State. By the time General Election Day rolls around on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Halloween is behind us and turkey and pecan pie are on the menu.


Dear member, we all need encouragement for the long haul. Get out there and inspire your friends, family, and everyone you know to go vote. As we all know, No Vote, No Voice.


“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” -- Thomas Jefferson

Upcoming League Events

September

  • Saturday, September 7, 2024, 11am at White Plains Public Library: LWVW and The Campaign School (TCS) Yale Program: The Basics
  • Thursday, September 12, 2024, 5:30pm via Zoom: LWVW Board of Directors Meeting
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2024: National Voter Registration Day and Constitution and Citizenship Day


October

  • TENTATIVE -- Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7:00pm at White Plains Public Library: CD 16 Candidate Forum -- Miriam Flisser (R) vs. George Latimer (D)
  • Thursday, October 17, 2024, 5:30pm via Zoom: LWVW Executive Committee Meeting
  • TENTATIVE -- Monday, October 21, 2024, 7:00pm at venue in northern Westchester (location pending): CD 17 Candidate Forum -- Mondaire Jones (D) vs. Mike Lawler (R)
  • TENTATIVE -- Thursday, October 24, 2024, 7:00pm at White Plains Public Library: Westchester County DA Candidate Forum -- Susan Cacace (D) vs. John Sarcone (R)
  • Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Golden Day): Last day to register to vote through the online portal or in person at any early polling location in Westchester or for a mailed voter registration application to be received by the Westchester County Board of Elections Office (25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601)
  • Saturday, October 26, 2024 through Sunday, November 3, 2024: Early Voting for General Election


November

  • Tuesday, November 5, 2024: General Election
  • Thursday, November 7, 2024, 5:30pm via Zoom: LWVW Executive Committee Meeting


December

  • Friday, December 13, 2024, 10:30am at Manhattanville University, Reid Castle: LWVW Board of Directors Meeting
  • Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:00pm at Manhattanville University, Reid Castle: LWVW Holiday Luncheon
View Full LWVW Calendar

Recap of Recent Speaker Event

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On Thursday, June 6, 2024, LWVW held its Annual Convention. Members of the LWVW Board of Directors as well as delegates from all the local leagues attended to adopt the 2024-25 LWVW operating and education foundation budgets, approve the 2024-25 LWVW local program, and vote in new officers and directors to the LWVW Executive Committee.

The keynote speaker was Sasha Neha Ahuja, Campaign Director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights, who enlightened attendees on the ERA ballot measure to amend the equal protection clause of New York State's Constitution.

Committee Reports

Voter Service

Important Deadlines for General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Early Voting: Saturday, October 26, 2024 to Sunday November 3, 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Golden Day, ten days before the election): First Day of Early Voting. Last day voter registration form must be received by the Board of Election by mail or in person. Those with a NY.Gov ID may register using the new NYS Board of Elections Online Voter Registration portal. Check your voter registration status at the NYS Voter Registration Database Search. Last day for an application for a mailed early mail or absentee ballot to be received by the Board of Elections. Applications may be made via email, fax, or electronically through the New York State Early Mail Ballot Application Portal or the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Portal. See the Westchester Board of Elections website and the New York State Board of Elections website for additional details.


Sunday, November 3, 2024: Last day of Early Voting. 


Monday, November 4, 2024 (one day before the election): Last day to apply in person at the Westchester Board of Elections (25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601) for an early mail or absentee ballot.


Tuesday, November 5, 2024 (General Election Day): Last day to postmark a completed early mail or absentee ballot (must be received by Tuesday November 12, 2024) or to submit an early mail or absentee ballot in person to the Westchester Board of Elections or at any polling site throughout Westchester County by the close of the polls.

National Voter Registration Day

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. It has quickly gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012, with more than 5 million voters registered to vote on the holiday to date. Celebrated every September, National Voter Registration Day involves volunteers and organizations from all over the country hitting the streets in a single day of coordinated field, technology, and media efforts. Get involved with your local League to help register voters.


All of the local leagues in Westchester are planning to register voters on National Voter Registration Day, which coincides with Constitution and Citizenship Day this year, as well as on other dates prior to the October 26, 2024, deadline. Registration drives will be held throughout Westchester at colleges and universities, at high schools, as well as at assisted living and senior centers. To help organize or volunteer at any of these events, contact the voter service chair within your local league.

Upcoming Candidate Forums

Plans are underway for LWVW to host in-person candidate forums this fall for all certified candidates for U.S. Congressional District 16 and for U.S. Congressional District 17. Additional details will be available soon and posted on the LWVW website.


To participate in drafting questions for the candidates or to assist with the event, please contact Kathy Gray with respect to CD 16, Rene Artale with respect to CD 17 and Alan Cass with respect to Westchester County DA.


Consult the maps below for the redrawn U.S. Congressional District lines that are currently in effect and check the Events Page of the LWVW website regularly for updates about the candidate forums.

Additional candidate forums are being planned by local leagues for NYS Senate and Assembly races in their areas. If your local league is hosting a candidate forum, please have the appropriate person complete this Candidate Forum Scheduling Google Form so that we may list the event on our calendar to help publicize your event.

Naturalization Ceremonies

Westchester's local leagues participate in the monthly Naturalization Ceremonies at the County Court House in White Plains. Newly minted citizens receive a copy of First Vote and LWVW’s trifold flyer, Welcome New Citizens. To volunteer, contact your local league president for the dates that your league will be attending.

Advocacy and Education


Environmental Issues

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Areas of advocacy this year continue to pertain to the EPA's review of the Hudson River PCB cleanup, Holtec's decommissioning of the Indian Point nuclear power plant, Enbridge's plans to expand the gas transmission pipeline near the Indian Point nuclear power plant, and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S4246B/A5322B), which failed to pass in the last legislative session.

ERA Amendment to the NYS Constitution

Proposition 1 on the ballot this coming general election, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment, would amend Article 1, Section 11 of the New York Constitution.


Currently, the Equal Protection Clause in the NYS Constitution prohibits the denial of rights to a person based on race, color, creed, or religion. If passed, the ballot measure would extend protections against discrimination on the basis of a person's ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.


The following underlined text would be added and struck-through text would be deleted from the existing wording:


A. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed or, religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in his or her their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.


B. Nothing in this section shall invalidate or prevent the adoption of any law, regulation, program, or practice that is designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of a characteristic listed in this section, nor shall any characteristic listed in this section be interpreted to interfere with, limit, or deny the civil rights of any person based upon any other characteristic identified in this section.


For more information view the LWVNYS webpage.

Youth Engagement


Youth Corps


On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 7pm via Zoom, LWVW Student Directors Emma Freeman and Max Szuchman, both of Mamaroneck High School, held an event for individuals 16-24 years of age to discuss and explain the importance of young people in civics. Local Westchester students, Students Inside Albany participants, and Running & Winning attendees were invited to share the ways in which the youth vote adds to the conversation of sustained civic engagement. Three of the attendees were be selected as winners of LWV merchandise and leadership positions in the LWVW Youth Corps, which is involved with the youth working group for Let New York Vote and is helping to advance the conversation about young adults in the electoral process by way of advocating for poll sites on college campuses.

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, and Wednesday, August 7, 2024, members of the LWVW Youth Corp presented at the YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchster Y Leaders Summer Boot Camp. The program is a leadership initiative that aims to equip young women with the tools they need to be effective and empowered leaders.

Running & Winning

LWVW and and the Westchester chapter of Association of American University Women (AAUW) co-hosted their annual Running & Winning program on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Manhattanville University, Reid Castle. The goal of this one-day event for female high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors is to support their aspirations to serve in public office, develop their leadership potential, and help increase gender parity in government institutions. Working in small groups, students interviewed local female elected officials and learned about their experiences in seeking and holding public office. Afterward, each small group planned a campaign, choosing and analyzing a locally relevant issue, presenting their slogans, campaign speeches, and fundraising ideas. More than 120 students, elected officials, and volunteers were in attendance.


LWVW thanks Westchester Community Foundation, Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, American Association of University Women, Westchester Library System, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Chi Omega Chapter, and Manhattanville University for their sponsorship of this event.

Students Inside Albany


Conrad Blaha, who graduated this June from Ossining High School, was LWVW's selection to attend LWVNYS's Students Inside Albany (SIA) program in Albany from Sunday, May 19, 2024, through Wednesday, May 22, 2024. This intensive training conference immerses students in the process by which public policy is proposed, enacted, and changed in New York State, and educates them as to how they can influence and affect this process. Students have the opportunity to observe Assembly and Senate sessions and to shadow their NYS Assembly members and NYS Senators. Blaha spoke eloquently and shared his experiences at LWVW's Annual Convention.

Directory of Officials


This year's printed Directory of Officials for Westchester County contains new content, including social media, email addresses, URLs for streaming of public governmental meetings, legislative district maps and charts, and more.

Purchase a 2024 Directory of Officials ($9/each)

Volunteers Needed

Join or Chair a Committee!


To become involved in any of the LWVW activities and committees, please email westchesterlwv@gmail.com and include your areas of interest in the subject line.


Of particular need during this election season, LWVW seeks volunteers for all Voter Service activities. Moderators are needed for the many candidate forums planned for 2024. Training is provided at no charge.

League of Women Voters of Westchester

Officers:

President: Kathy Meany (Northwest Westchester), 2023-25

1st Vice President: TBD, 2024-26

2nd Vice President: Mary Kirsch (New Castle), 2023-25

3rd Vice President: Louise Perez (Larchmont/Mamaroneck), 2024-26

Secretary: Adie Shore (Scarsdale), 2024-25

Treasurer: Mary Beth Gose (Scarsdale), 2024-26

Treasurer: Marylou Green (Scarsdale), 2024-26


Board of Directors (elected):

Joan Alexander (New Rochelle), 2023-25

Diane Baylor (Scarsdale), 2023-25

Mary Pat Campbell (Northeast Westchester), 2024-25

Liz Gereghty (Northeast Westchester), 2024-26

Crystal Joseph (Rivertowns), 2024-26

Susan Schwarz (Rivertowns), 2024-25

Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale), 2023-25

Denise Povolny (Rivertowns) 2024-26


Board of Directors (appointed):

Emma Freeman, Youth Representative (Larchmont/Mamaroneck), 2024-25

Max Szuchman, Youth Representative (Larchmont/Mamaroneck), 2024-25


Committee Chairs:

Civics Education: Liz Gereghty (Northeast Westchester)

Civics Education: Denise Povolny (Rivertowns)

Communications/Technology: Diane Baylor (Scarsdale)

County Government: Mary Pat Campbell (Northeast Westchester)

Directory of Officials: Diane Baylor (Scarsdale)

Environment: Susan Schwarz (Rivertowns)

Fundraising: Steve Meyers (Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester)

Naturalization Ceremonies: Barbara Shore (White Plains)

Naturalization Ceremonies: Diane Tabakman (White Plains)

Nominating Committee: TBD

NYS ERA Taskforce: Adie Shore (Scarsdale)

Running & Winning: Adie Shore (Scarsdale)

Social Media: Robyn Weintraub (Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester)

Speaker Programs (Annual Meeting, Holiday Luncheon): Kathy Meany

Students Inside Albany: Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale)

Voter Service (Candidate Forums): Kathy Meany

Voter Service (Inter-League Coordination): Kathy Meany

Voter Service (Moderator Training): Kathy Meany

Voter Service (Registration): Joan Alexander (New Rochelle)

Voter Service (Vote 411): Mary Kirsch

Youth Engagement: Crystal Joseph (Rivertowns)


Local League Presidents:

Larchmont/Mamaroneck: Louise Perez and Beth Radow

New Castle: Leslie Kuhn

New Rochelle: Joan Alexander

Northeast Westchester: Susan Ferris Rights

Northwest Westchester: Rene Artale

Rivertowns: Susan Maggiotto

Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester: Roz Carvin and Liz Rotfeld

Scarsdale: Heedan Chung

White Plains: Alan Cass

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League of Women Voters of Westchester

520 White Plains Road, Suite 500, Tarrytown, NY 10591

westchesterlwv@gmail.com | 914-366-7312