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

Remember to Vote!

General Election:

Tuesday, November 7th, 2023

The November 7th General Election is fast approaching! Below is important information about the races, two (2) proposals that will be on the ballot, the three ways voters can cast their ballots, and a list of important dates regarding the election.

The Races

During the General Election, Scarsdale residents will vote on 4 races: 



1) Supreme Court Justice – 9th Judicial District – (vote for 4)

2) Westchester County Court Judge – (vote for 1)

3) Westchester County Legislator District 5 – (vote for 1)

4) Scarsdale Town Justice – (vote for 2)

Details on local races or proposals that may be on your ballot can be found at vote411.org, a website maintained by the League of Women Voters to provide nonpartisan, election-related information. 

Two NYS Ballot Proposals

Scarsdale residents will also vote 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

Description of Proposal: This constitutional amendment removes the special debt limit for small city school districts. Debt limits would be established in State law for all school districts.

A small city school district is one that includes at least part of a small city. A small city is a city with less than one hundred twenty-five thousand people.

The State Constitution limits how much debt a small city school district can incur. Their debt cannot be more than five percent of the value of taxable real estate in the district. There are exceptions for certain expenses. Other school districts are not subject to a constitutional debt restriction but have a different debt limit provided by state law. State law says their debts cannot be greater than ten percent of the value of taxable real property. If this Constitutional Amendment passes, small city school districts would be eligible to have the same debt limit as other school districts enacted via legislative action. 

Question as it Will Appear on Ballot: The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 4 of the Constitution removes the special constitutional debt limitation now placed on small city school districts, so they will be treated the same as all other school districts. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?

2) Extending Sewage Project Debt Exclusion from Debt Limit 

Description of Proposal: The Constitution limits the debt counties, cities, towns and villages can incur. This debt limit does not include debt for sewage treatment and disposal construction projects. The sewer debt exception expires on January 1, 2024. This amendment extends the sewer debt exception for ten more years until January 1, 2034.

The proposed amendment does this by changing section 5 of Article 8 of the Constitution.

Question as it Will Appear on Ballot: The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 5 of the Constitution extends for ten years the authority of counties, cities, towns, and villages to remove from their constitutional debt limits debt for the construction of sewage facilities. Shall the proposed amendment be approved? 

Three Ways to Vote

There are Three Ways to Vote in the November 7 General Election: 

1) By absentee ballot;

2) In person during Early Voting; or

3) In person on Election Day. 

1) Absentee Ballot: The Westchester Board of Elections website details the variety of ways you can apply for an absentee ballot, including through an online portal. October 23, 2023 is the last day for the Board of Elections to receive an application or letter of application by mail or online portal for the general ballot, but voters are encouraged to apply NOW. Completed absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 7, 2023, and received by the Board of Elections no later than November 14. [Please note that mailed absentee ballots without a postmark must be received by Wednesday, November 8 to be counted]. Those not comfortable with the delivery of mail service but wishing to avoid the possibility of long lines at the polls may return their completed absentee ballots to drop boxes which will be stationed at the Board of Elections, and election day polling locations.

2) Early Voting: Voters may vote in person at any of the Early Voting Locations through Sunday, November 5.

3) In Person on Election Day: Election Day is November 7, and you can vote only at your assigned polling location on November 7. You may also place your absentee ballot in the drop box at any Election Day polling location, or the Westchester County Board of Elections’ Office no later than 9:00 P.M.

Important Dates:

• 11/7 (Tuesday): Last day for your absentee ballot application to be postmarked. Last day to deliver an absentee ballot in person to the Board of Elections.
• Absentee ballots must be received by November 14. Absentee ballots without a postmark must be received by November 8.
• 11/5 (Sunday): Last day of Early Voting.
• 11/6 (Monday): Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot.
• 11/7 (Tuesday): General Election Day

Updates regarding voting can be found at www.lwvs.org/voter-information/. You may also visit the NYS League of Women Voters website at My.lwv.org/new-york-state. 

Questions regarding voting may be directed to the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, Voter Service at [email protected]. 

Poll Workers Needed for the November 7 General Election



Poll workers' duties include helping voters check in, understand their ballots, and cast their votes. You are eligible to be a poll worker in New York if you are a New York registered voter, although in some cases, students who are 17 years old may qualify to be poll workers too. This year, the Board of Elections will pay poll workers $350 for working on election day, plus $50 for completing two training classes.

Interested in helping the election run smoothly and being a part of the democratic process? Learn more about becoming a poll worker and apply to become a poll worker in Westchester County.

Remember to Vote in Our Local Election Too!

Citizens Nominating Committee Election

Tuesday, November 14

In-Person Voting at Scarsdale Public Library

7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 

and

2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

OR



Vote by Mail-In Ballot

The Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) is the body of 30 residents serving staggered, 3-year terms that vets applicants and nominates the proposed non-partisan slate for the Village Board of Trustees, including Mayor. Each year, voters elect new representatives from their neighborhood to fill spots vacated by those who have completed their CNC service.

There are no referendums this year. 

The deadline for Procedure Committee receipt of mail-in ballots: Must be received before Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at P.O. Box 284, Scarsdale, New York 10583.

As a voter service reminder, please remember that each ballot must be sealed within its own unmarked privacy envelope. The unmarked envelope must be placed inside an outer mailing envelope that identifies your name, full return address, and elementary school district. The voter must sign the outer mailing envelope across the seal. Multiple ballots within a single envelope will render all such ballots invalid.

The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS) has been working tirelessly this fall. As a non-partisan, political organization, it is our charge to promote civic engagement and active participation in government. To that end, we encourage all registered voters to VOTE! Election Day is Tuesday, November 7.

Throughout September and October, our Voter Service chairs and Board members have been involved in voter registration drives and various get out the vote efforts. 

Voters still have three ways to vote: by absentee ballot, in person during Early Voting, and in person on Election Day. Some important dates to keep in mind:

• 11/7 (Tuesday): Last day for your absentee ballot application to be postmarked. Last day to deliver an absentee ballot in person to the Board of Elections.
• Absentee ballots must be received by November 14. Absentee ballots without a postmark must be received by November 8.
• 11/5 (Sunday): Last day of Early Voting.
• 11/6 (Monday): Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot.
• 11/7 (Tuesday): General Election Day. You may vote only at your assigned polling location.

As for our work to foster an interest in civic life in our student community, LWVS Youth Engagement, chaired by Susan Lee. has been working collaboratively with the Scarsdale Middle School on a Mock Election and on Civics Jeopardy. We hope that these programs spark a lifelong interest in community involvement and teach students that voting in every election is important.

We also encourage the community to join us for our special Speaker Event on Wednesday, November 15, at the Scarsdale Public Library. Our featured speaker is Colleen Brathwaite, chair of Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA), the leading the leading advocacy organization working to improve the lives of women in Westchester County by advancing racial, economic and social equity and justice. She has advocated for legislation and policies in Westchester County and New York State government to address issues as diverse as domestic violence prevention, immigrant rights, healthcare, education and childcare funding, elder services and economic empowerment. Please join us for this engaging speaker and to enjoy coffee and light breakfast fare after the event.   

We welcome everyone in the Scarsdale community to join the League and support our work. We encourage all of you to stay informed, active, and engaged citizens -- your participation enhances and strengthens our democracy!

Best wishes, 

Heedan Chung & Jessica Zellner

November 2023

• 11/7, Tuesday:
• Election Day
• 11/14, Tuesday:
• 7-9 a.m. and 2-9 p.m. CNC Election, Scarsdale Public Library
• 11/15, Wednesday:
• 9:15 a.m. Board Meeting, Scarsdale Public Library
• 10:00 a.m. Fall Food for Thought Speaker Event, Scarsdale Public Library

December 2023

• 12/4, Monday:
• 9:15 a.m. Board Meeting, Scarsdale Public Library
• 10:00 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Mtg - Village Election, Scarsdale Public Library

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

Naturalization Ceremonies

Remaining 2023 dates:

November 3

December 8

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 remaining dates for 2023 are November 3 and December 8. If any members of the LWVS would like to attend a Naturalization Ceremony on behalf of the League, please contact the LWVS Co-Presidents at [email protected].

Youth Outreach at Scarsdale Middle School

SMS 8th Grade Civics Jeopardy Game

and

SMS Mock Election

The League’s Youth Outreach Committee is excited to continue our in-person programming at Scarsdale Middle School this year!

Can you name what the 24th Amendment prohibits? How about naming 5 of the 8 States that conduct “All Mail” elections? The week leading up to the General Election, League volunteers will be in the SMS 8th Grade classrooms to support the Social Studies teachers with an updated online Civics Trivia game that we conduct annually. Students will be able to compete in teams to see just how much they know about Civics as we help generate interest in and an understanding of the importance of voting. 

On Monday, November 6, volunteers will further support the Social Studies Department’s Mock Election. All middle school students will go to the Great Hall during their Social Studies classes to cast their votes. Information sheets created by the Youth Outreach Committee outlining the candidates and explaining important ballot proposals will be provided to the students so they can be informed voters. League members and other volunteers will be staffing polling station tables to check the young voters in before they cast their ballots. 

If you are interested in volunteering as a poll worker at SMS on Monday, November 6, or as a classroom moderator for the 8th Grade Civics Jeopardy Game the week prior, and for any other future Youth Outreach Programs, please email [email protected].

The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale

cordially invites you to its

Food for Thought Speaker Event

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Scarsdale Public Library

Scott Room

Speaker: Colleen Brathwaite

Chair of Westchester Women’s Agenda

Advocacy to Improve the Lives of Women in Westchester

This event is free of charge, open to both members and non-members, and includes a light breakfast.

RSVPs are appreciated for planning purposes.

Colleen R. Brathwaite is currently chair of Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA), the leading advocacy organization working to improve the lives of women in Westchester County by advancing racial, economic and social equity and justice. She has advocated for legislation and policies in Westchester County and New York State government to address issues as diverse as domestic violence prevention, immigrant rights, healthcare, education and childcare funding, elder services and economic empowerment.

Brathwaite co-founded Westchester Racial Equity Collaborative, which seeks to bring together all community groups focused on antiracism work in the region. Brathwaite’s recent work has been featured in print media and on local television, including News12 Westchester and Westchester Magazine. She is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism with a Master of Science degree and holds a B.A. in English and African-American Studies from Brandeis University.

LWVS General Membership Information Session and

Consensus Meeting on the

Village Election System

Monday, December 4, 2023

10:00 a.m.

Location TBA

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 representatives 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.

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

LWVS Fall Book Discussion

Small Things Like These 

by Claire Keegan

On Sunday, October 22, a diverse group of women gathered in a private home to discuss Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. 

Shortlisted for 2022 Booker Prize, Small Things Like These tells the tale of an Irish coal merchant living in a small Irish town who is forced to confront the horrors of Ireland's Magdalene laundries.

The group grappled with questions about an individual’s conscience, the responsibility of a community, the meaning of moral courage, and the power of love. All present contributed thoughtful and insightful commentary to the lively conversation. A variety of food options, including delicious home-baked goods, provided welcome sustenance. The participants largely liked the book which, though very short, raised universal themes that are applicable today.

Save the date for the annual LWVW Holiday luncheon!

Thursday, December 14, 2023 

12pm to 2pm

Manhattanville College, Reid Castle

Speaker and topic to be announced. Luncheon tickets are $50/person. Registration will be opening soon on the events page of the LWVW website.

Webinar Recording

The recording of LWVW's webinar on Endocrine Disruptors in Plastics: State Policy Options, held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, is now available. The recording may be viewed on the LWVW Environment webpage or by clicking on the video above.

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

We would like to thank League volunteers who contributed significant time and energy during the month of October to ensure our community was informed and engaged.

Thanks to Voter Service Chairs, Donna Conkling and Kathy Gray, for providing voter information for our community. Thanks to Alissa Baum, for assisting with our voter registration drives at Westchester-area schools. 

Thanks to Susan Lee Foley for all of her work planning youth engagement events such as this month’s Civics Jeopardy and Mock Election at Scarsdale Middle School.  

Thanks to Dalya Khan for serving as the Book Club Chair and for leading an engaging and thoughtful discussion of our fall book club selection, Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan.

Thanks to Diksha Mudbhary for her dedicated work on our fall membership drive. Thanks to Jenny Tabak for always providing sound advice and guidance as well as for her work as Membership Statistician.

Thanks to Diane Baylor, our Recording Secretary and Website Administrator, for keeping the Board and the community informed and engaged. 

Thanks to Dana Matsushita for her detailed and thorough work editing the LWVS Bulletin and coordinating our e-blasts. Thanks to Heedan Chung for filling our social media feed with our upcoming events as well as important voter information.

Thanks to Erika Rublin for her precise work as Treasurer as well as her assistance with our fall membership renewal.

Thanks to Cindy Yau for continuing to serve as Programming Portfolio Chair and for her help developing engaging events for this year.

We look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year!

Our best,

Heedan Chung & Jessica Zellner

Village of Scarsdale

As of October 31, 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.