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November General Election Results 

On November 7, 2023, voters in Scarsdale and throughout New York voted, not only on candidate races, but also on two (2) proposals to amend the New York State Constitution: (1) An Amendment regarding the Removal of Small City School Districts from Special Constitutional Debt Limitation; and (2) Extending Sewage Project Debt Exclusion from Debt Limit – both proposals were approved.   

The Scarsdale League thanks all of our sister Leagues around the State for coordinating efforts to produce this year’s Vote411 Guide, which went live online in October.

As always, the League thanks all those who participated in the electoral process this year and all those who exercised their very powerful right to vote!

Scarsdale Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) Election Results

On November 14, 2023, voters in Scarsdale voted for candidates to serve on the Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC). The results of that election will be available on the Scarsdale Procedure Committee website.

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2024 Scarsdale Village Election

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Scarsdale Public Library, Scott Room

Mark your calendars - the 2024 Scarsdale Village Election will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

All Election Districts (Numbers 1 through 19) will be voting at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, in the Scott Room. Hours of the election are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

School Board Nominating Committee Election

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

(Snow date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024)

Scarsdale Middle School Auditorium

The School Board Nominating Committee Election will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 (Snow date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024) in the Scarsdale Middle School Auditorium Lobby. For mail-in ballots and full voting information, consult the SBNC website.

We hope that you had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family.

The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale had a very active and busy fall.  On November 15, we hosted Colleen Brathwaite, Chair of the Westchester Women’s Agenda, a feminist and anti-racist advocacy organization serving Westchester, as our featured speaker for our Food For Thought fall event.   The LWVS is so appreciative of Ms. Brathwaite and all who attended this informative and important event.

In November, we also partnered with the Social Studies Department of Scarsdale Middle School on a Civics Jeopardy Quiz for the eighth grade classrooms and a Mock Election for the entire student body.  We hope the experience will help spark a lifelong interest in voting and civic engagement.  

In December, the League moves into Consensus Season.  Our Village Election Portfolio chair is busy preparing for the Village Election Information Session and Consensus meeting on Monday, December 4.  Please join us to learn about our local political process and to ask questions.  Procedure Committee Chair Peri Zelig and Vice Chair Heath Sroka will be attending the Information Session to present detailed information regarding the CNC Election.  Please join us at Scarsdale Village Hall for this important meeting!

We welcome everyone in the Scarsdale community to join the LWVS and support our work. 

We encourage all of you to stand up, speak up, and stay informed. Thank you for your continued support of the LWVS.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Upcoming Events:

• Monday, December 4:  Village Election Session and Consensus Meeting, 10:00 a.m. at Scarsdale Village Hall.   *The Information Session is open to the public.
• Thursday, December 14: LWVW Holiday Celebration, 12:00 p.m. at Manhattanville College Reid Castle, East Library Room.

Join the League today!

All our best,

Heedan Chung & Jessica Zellner

December 2023

• 12/4, Monday:
• 9:15 a.m. Board Meeting, Village Hall, 3rd fl
• 10:00 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Mtg - Village Election, Village Hall, 3rd fl (note venue change)

January 2024

• 1/8, Monday:
• 9:15 a.m. Board Meeting, Scarsdale Public Library
• 1/9, Tuesday:
• 7-10 a.m. and 2-9 p.m. SBNC Election, Scarsdale Middle School
• 1/19, Friday:
• 11:30 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Mtg - School Election, Zoom
• 1/27, Saturday:
• 5:00 p.m. LWVS Winter Social/Fundraiser

February 2024

• 2/5, Monday:
• 9:15 a.m. Board Meeting, Scarsdale Public Library
• 10:00 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Mtg - Local, County, and National Programs, Scarsdale Public Library

LWVS General Membership Information Session

and Consensus Meeting 

on the Village Election System

Monday, December 4, 2023

10:00 a.m. at Scarsdale Village Hall

3rd Floor Conference Room*

*please note change in venue

LWVS welcomes all members of the public to its annual general membership information session regarding this year's Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) election. Procedure Committee Chair Peri Zelig and Vice Chair Heath Sroka will be presenting and answering questions.

The Procedure Committee is the body that solicits candidates for CNC, proposes amendments to the Resolution, and runs the CNC election and referendum on the amendments. The CNC is the body that vets applicants and nominates the proposed slate for the Village Board of Trustees, including Mayor. The Non-Partisan Resolution is the document that governs the Village's nonpartisan election system.

A consensus discussion will immediately follow the information session for purposes of making recommendations to the Procedure Committee. Only League members may be present for the consensus discussion. Those who have not yet paid annual dues are welcome to renew/join at the event.

Follow these links to the Information Session Agenda and the Consensus Questions. The PC’s report will be posted to the LWVS website when available. For purposes of discussion, attendees are encouraged to review these materials in advance.

For more information, please contact Diane Baylor, LWVS Village Election System Chair, at [email protected].

Naturalization Ceremony

Friday, December 8, 2023

Among its many activities, each year the League of Women Voters assists local officials at the Westchester County Naturalization Court in White Plains by welcoming new citizens and providing them with important voter information. 

At a Naturalization Ceremony, a Supreme Court Judge welcomes the soon-to-be citizens to court and the country. The County Clerk administers the Oath of Allegiance and leads the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. The County Board of Elections is on hand to assist with voter registration immediately following the ceremony, and the U.S. Passport office is there to help each new citizen obtain a passport.  

The Naturalization Ceremonies are held at the Richard J. Daronco Courthouse in White Plains and are open to the public. The last date for 2023 is December 8. If any members of the LWVS would like to attend on behalf of the League, please contact the LWVS Co-Presidents at [email protected].

LWVS Information Session and Consensus Meeting on the

School Election System

Friday, January 19, 2024

11:30 a.m. via Zoom

On Friday, January 19, 2024, at 11:30 am via Zoom, LWVS will hold its annual general membership information session regarding this year’s School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) election. The SBNC Election Chair and/or other designated representatives are invited to present and answer questions on behalf of the SBNC Administrative Committee (AC).  All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The SBNC Administrative Committee is the committee that solicits candidates for the School Board Nominating Committee and runs the SBNC election. Once SBNC members are elected in a given year, the SBNC nominates its proposed slate for the Scarsdale Board of Education.

The information session will be open to the public; the consensus meeting is for current LWVS members only. Links to the Information Session materials and resulting Consensus Statement will be posted here once finalized.

The Zoom link will be shared closer to the date.

For more information, please contact Diksha Mudbhary, LWVS School Election System Chair, at [email protected].

Youth Programs and Civics Education at Scarsdale Middle School

On October 30th, the League launched another successful year of LWVS SMS Civics Jeopardy and Mock Election. Designed by the League to help students expand their voting and civic responsibility knowledge, it certainly achieved that goal and much more. 

Throughout the Civics Jeopardy week, shuttling from one 8th-grade classroom to another, it was impressive how much the students knew about the Constitution and voting - facts that many adults would not know. Equally eye-opening was noting what the students didn’t know and the sighs and head nods when given the answers. Hopefully, they learned a thing or two throughout the week, and this program will impact the next generation of voters. 

Continuing this mission, League volunteers set up polling stations at SMS on Monday, November 6th, the day before Election Day. These polling stations gave each student a voting experience - many of them their first. Enticing them with mints and "I Voted" stickers, the Great Hall was filled with voter energy and enthusiasm. One of the best moments of the day was when a 6th-grader probed further about the impact of his vote for the ballot proposal on removing small city school districts from particular constitutional debt limitation. He was curious enough to listen to what the removal would do for small-city school districts, but he questioned what the tax implications for the small city might be. No matter where you stand on that issue, it was uplifting to hear a student so young realizing what the impact of his vote may be. That is why we continue our work and what we must work toward.

Thank you to all our amazing League volunteers, SMS parents, and teachers. Also, we want to especially thank Assistant Principal Marci Rothman, Cooper House Social Studies teacher Steven Goodman, who spearheaded the effort, and SMS administrative, security, and custodial staff. 

For more information about these programs, please visit the Youth Programs, Civics Education section on our LWVS website. 

LWVS Food for Thought Speaker Event

On Wednesday, November 15th, the LWVS welcomed Colleen Brathwaite, chair of Westchester Women's Agenda (WWA), as the featured guest speaker for this year's Food For Thought Speaker event. LWVS co-presidents Heedan Chung and Jessica Zellner moderated a conversation where we learned about her inspiring life journey, career path, and what drove her to activism. Originally from Barbados, she grew up in Boston and went to Brandeis University in the seventies. She shared how those early experiences shaped her thinking and how she became an advocate for the causes she believed in. 

Having to raise two daughters as a single parent in Westchester, she led us through her impressive corporate career in technology and PR, how she shifted to the non-profit sector, and ultimately landed at WWA. The conversation focused much on her work with the WWA, a leading advocacy organization working to improve women's lives in Westchester County by advancing racial, economic, and social equity and justice. She also highlighted from where and whom she draws inspiration, why she continues to do her work, and the importance of working together in a shared mission to bring lasting change toward a more equitable world to improve the lives of all. 

The recording of the conversation and the Q&A that followed is available on the Events and Speakers page of the LWVS website and on LWVS's own YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@lwvscarsdale).

ERA Task Force Update

On Tuesday, 14 November, the ERA Task Force met to share updates and plans for contributing to coalition advocacy for an amendment to the New York state constitution protecting from discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Participants discussed recent national abortion wins on the ballot, the status of the League of Women Voters within the ERA campaign, feedback from the rural report, and next steps.

LWVS Nominating Committee



The LWVS Nominating Committee 2023-24 is calling for nominations to fill League Board Officer and Director positions for the 2024-25 year. The LWVS Nominating Committee will also fill off-board member positions on the Nominating Committee 2023-24.

If you would like to nominate yourself or a friend to be considered for the League Board or the LWVS Nominating Committee 2023-24, kindly contact Nominating Committee Chair Leah Dembitzer at [email protected].

Here is a list of our 2022-23 Nominating Committee members, all of whom are able to receive nominations for discussion and consideration:

Leah Dembitzer* (Chair)

Kerry Hayes*

Laura Liu*

Susan Lee

Diksha Mudbhary

*Off-Board members were approved at our annual meeting in May, 2023.

Annual LWVW Holiday luncheon!

Thursday, December 14, 2023 

12pm to 2pm

Manhattanville College, Reid Castle

2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577

 Featured Speaker:

Westchester District Attorney Miriam (Mimi) E. Rocah

Mix and mingle with LWVW members and friends and then sit down to eat and enjoy listening to featured speaker Mimi Rocah engage in casual conversation with LWVW President Kathy Meany.

Mix and mingle with LWVW members and friends and then sit down to eat and enjoy listening to featured speaker Mimi Rocah engage in casual conversation with LWVW President Kathy Meany.

Luncheon Ticket Price: $50/person

Are you receiving LWVW's eblasts?

If not, please subscribe yourself to be sure you get the latest news and updates from the Westchester County League.

Membership Renewal Reminder

It's a new membership year! Rejoin the League today!  

It’s time to renew or join the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS)! In the year ahead, will you help us promote active participation in our democracy? Whether you are new to our distinguished organization or have been involved for years, the LWVS invites you to become a member for the 2023-2024 year. Your membership in the LWVS automatically grants you membership in the county, state and national leagues. 

Here in Scarsdale, the LWVS works to provide clear and accurate voter information, hosts candidate forums, studies and evaluates policies impacting our community, and educates residents about issues. Our activities also include:

• Speaker programs and other membership events;
• Information sessions and consensus meetings on Village and school elections and budgets;
• Fall and Spring book groups;
• Winter Social;
• Youth Engagement through voter registration, mock elections, civics jeopardy, and Students Inside Albany

Please join the LWVS and stay engaged, informed, and active! Your membership will enhance and strengthen our democracy.

If you have any questions, please contact LWVS Membership Chair Diksha Mudbhary at [email protected]. 

Stay Connected!

The LWVS Bulletin is published monthly. To ensure that you receive our news directly, please provide your preferred email and physical mailing address when you renew your membership or join for the first time.

Bulletins will be sent via eblast and posted on our website and Facebook page.

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions about your membership status or to change/update your contact information.

Thank You

The Scarsdale League serves the community through the dedication and energy of our volunteers.  We would like to extend thanks to the League volunteers for all of their hard work this fall.

Thanks to Susan Lee for organizing a successful Civics Jeopardy game and Mock Election at Scarsdale Middle School.  Thanks to League and community members Alissa Baum, Diane Baylor, Donna Conkling, May Cowan, Sara Farnsworth, Kathy Gray, Dalya Khan, Tina Lin, Dana Matsushita, Debbie Miller, Kitt Rosenthal, Elissa Ruback, Jyoti Ruta, Rachana Singh, Deborah Skolnik, Jenny Simon Tabak, Moli Wilson, and Jennifer Zola for volunteering for these events.

Thanks to Diane Baylor for her preparation for the Village Election System Information and Consensus meeting on December 4.  Thanks to Diksha Mudbhary for her vigilance in monitoring the School Board Nominating Committee’s work and for planning for the Information and Consensus Meeting on January 19.  Thanks to Dalya Khan and Nan Eileen Mead for their work in chairing the School Budget Portfolio and preparing for the November Budget Forum.

Thanks to Donna Conkling and Kathy Gray for all of their work on Voter Service.

Thanks to Diane Baylor and Dana Matsushita for all of the time they have devoted to make sure the community is aware of voting information and upcoming League events. Thanks to Diksha Mudbhary and Jenny Simon Tabak for organizing our fall membership renewal and new member outreach.  Thanks to our statistician, Jenny Simon Tabak, for keeping track of our membership, and to our treasurer, Erika Rublin, for keeping track of our finances.  Thanks to Dana Matsushita for her precise and detailed work editing the LWVS Bulletin. 

Thanks to Susan Lee for coordinating the details of our Fall Food for Thought Speaker Event and ensuring a very successful program.  Thanks to videographer Jason Wasserman for recording the event for posterity.

Thanks to Kitt Rosenthal for keeping us apprised of League of Women Voters of Westchester pursuits.  

Thanks to Leah Dembitzer for chairing our Nominating Committee and for all of the committee members:  Kerry Hayes, Susan Lee, Laura Liu, and Diksha Mudbhary.

Thanks to Colleen Brathwaite for a thoroughly engaging and thought-provoking talk at our Fall Food for Thought Speaker Event. Thank you to Charlie Muscat and Roberta Stein-Ham for their help in setting up an inviting space at the Scarsdale Public Library.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday season!

All our best,

Heedan Chung & Jessica Zellner

Village of Scarsdale

As of November 30, 2023

Board of Trustees

Justin Arest, Mayor

  Term ends April 2025

Randall Whitestone, Deputy Mayor

  2nd term ends April 2024

Sameer Ahuja

  1st term ends April 2025

Karen Brew

  2nd term ends April 2025

Jeremy Gans

  1st term ends April 2024

Dara Gruenberg

  1st term ends April 2025

Ken Mazer

  1st term ends April 2024

Board of Education

Ronald Schulhof, President

  2nd term ends June 2025

Suzie Hahn, Vice President

  1st term ends June 2025

Colleen Brown

  1st term ends June 2025

Jim Dugan

  1st term ends June 2024

Robert Klein

  2nd term ends June 2026

Jessica Resnick-Ault

  1st term ends June 2024

Amber Yusuf

   2nd term ends June 2026

League of Women Voters of Scarsdale

2023-24

Officers

Co-Presidents: Heedan Chung and Jessica Zellner

[email protected]

First Vice President: Jenny Simon Tabak

Second Vice President: Anne Lyons

Recording Secretary: Diane Baylor

[email protected]

Corresponding Secretary: Dana Matsushita

[email protected]

Treasurer: Erika Rublin

[email protected]

2023-24 Elected Board Members

Donna Conkling

Susan Lee Foley

Dalya Khan

Nan Eileen Mead

Diksha Mudbhary

Jyoti Ruta

Rachana Singh

Shilpa Spencer

Cindy Yau

2023-24 Appointed Board Members

Kathy Gray

Debbie Miller

Kitt Rosenthal

Abigail Ruane

Committee Chairs

Advocacy: Rachana Singh 

Audit: Amber Yusuf 

Book Group: Dalya Khan

Budget: Nancy Michaels (Off-Board) 

Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures: Diane Baylor

Communications:

• Bulletin Editor: Dana Matsushita 
• Eblast: Dana Matsushita  
• Publicity:  Heedan Chung
• Social Media: Dana Matsushita 
• Website: Diane Baylor 

Development/Finance Drive: Anne Lyons

Environment/Sustainability: Shilpa Spencer

Hospitality: Kitt Rosenthal

Local Budgets:

• School Budget: Dalya Khan and Nan Eileen Mead 
• Village Budget: Shilpa Spencer 

Local Election Systems:

• School Election: Diksha Mudbhary 
• Village Election: Diane Baylor 

Luncheons: Anne Lyons

LWVW Liaison: Kitt Rosenthal

Membership: Diksha Mudbhary 

• Membership Statistician: Jenny Simon Tabak 

Nominating Chair: Leah Dembitzer (Off-Board) 

Planning and Zoning: Shilpa Spencer

Program/Education: Cindy Yau

Voter Service: Kathy Gray

• Candidate Forum(s)
• Naturalization Court
• Voter Registration Drive(s)

Youth Engagement:

• Civics Jeopardy: Susan Lee Foley
• Mock Election: Susan Lee Foley
• Students Inside Albany: Cindy Yau

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport – Get Involved!

The League of Women Voters

Creating A More Perfect Democracy 

For Over 100 Years

The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS) is a volunteer nonpartisan political organization which promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League is nonpartisan in that it does not support or oppose any candidate for public office; it is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after serious member study and consensus.