Hello friends —

I have always liked the saying “it takes a village.”  Whether it is coaching youth sports, being a class parent or PTA leader, volunteering at our places of worship, participating in local civic organizations (such as the LWVS) or serving in local government, it really does take a village to make the Village of Scarsdale and environs the place that we have all chosen to raise our families and to call home.  We can’t do it all on our own, but together we can build the community we choose.  

This community does not happen by accident.  It requires the deliberate and informed engagement of its citizens.  The League of Women Voters is committed to providing accurate and unbiased election information through Vote411.org, by moderating candidate forums, and hosting information sessions on state-wide and local ballot measures. The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale will continue to monitor local election practices, and to offer opinions on the village and school budgets after diligent study and consensus.

Please join me to:

Become Informed — make use of the League’s educational resources as well as communications from the Village, School District, and local media.  Come to our community information sessions.  On November 21st, LWVS will be hosting a session on the proposed changes to the School Board Nominating Committee’s governing resolution that will be voted upon in December.  

Give Feedback to Local Officials — the Village Trustees are actively seeking public comments on the scope of the pool project that was outlined at their October 29th session and the District Administration and Board of Education have engaged the community in a dialogue on priorities for a future bond measure.  These are important matters that will shape our community for years to come.  Make your informed voices heard.

And Vote — we will be casting ballots for Westchester County Executive, Westchester County Clerk, Westchester County Legislator, four NY Supreme Court Justices, and three Westchester County Judges (Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court) by early mail or absentee voting ballot, early in-person voting, or at our assigned polling locations on Election Day, November 4th.  The following week we will return to the polls on November 11th to elect members to the Citizens Nominating Committee.

Together we will make our community.  It really does take a village…

Warmly,

Beth Cukier

General Election: November 4, 2025

The General Election is this Tuesday, November 4, 2025.  Below is important information about voting.

Four Ways to Vote

1. Early Mail ballot: no reason or excuse needed.  

2. Absentee ballot: available only for those unable to vote in person due to specific reasons; consult the Westchester County Board of Elections website for details.

Requests for Early Mail or Absentee ballots must be made in person at the Board of Elections no later than Monday, November 3, 2025, the day before the election. (The deadline has passed to request early mail or absentee ballots by mail or online portal.) Please note the new address for the Westchester County Board of Elections: 445 Hamilton Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601.

3. In Person during Early Voting: In-person early voting began on Saturday, October 25 and continues through Sunday, November 2. Voters may cast their ballots at any of the Early Voting polling locations and times in Westchester County (please note that for this election, the White Plains Public Library will be the White Plains Early Voting site).

4. In Person on Election Day (Tuesday, November 4, 2025): On Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, you can vote only at your assigned polling location.

Follow this link for a sample ballot. Consult the General Election page on our website for additional information.

Important Dates:

• 11/2 (Sunday): Last day of Early Voting.
• 11/3 (Monday): Last day to apply in person at the Westchester County Board of Elections for an early mail or absentee ballot.
• 11/4 (Tuesday): General Election Day.  
• Last day to postmark a completed early mail or absentee ballot.
• Last day to submit an early mail or absentee ballot in person to the Westchester County Board of Elections or any Westchester County polling site by 9 p.m., the close of the polls.

Questions regarding voting may be directed to the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, Voter Service at LWVSVoterService@gmail.com.

The Ballot

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

1. New York Supreme Court Justice (vote for up to 4)

2. Westchester County Executive

3. Westchester County Clerk

4. Westchester County Judges: Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court

5. Westchester County Board of Legislators District 5

NYS Ballot Proposal 1

Scarsdale residents will vote on one (1) New York State Ballot Proposal to amend the NY State Constitution to allow an Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment is in effect a land swap that would authorize NYS to use up to 323 of the 1,039 acres in the Complex currently designated as constitutionally protected Forest Preserve for construction, operation and maintenance of Nordic skiing and biathlon trails and a stadium for training and events and related facilities (excluding hotels, swimming pools and zip lines), in exchange for incorporation into the Forest Preserve by NYS of at least 2,500 acres of forest land in the Adirondack Park. The Sport Complex is state-owned and operated; it is managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA).

A “YES” vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve.

A “NO” vote does not authorize this use.

VOTE411

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.

Remember to Vote in Our Local Election Too!

Citizens Nominating Committee Election

Thursday, November 13, 2025

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: Mail-in ballots must be mailed to the Procedure Committee at P.O. Box 284, Scarsdale NY 10583 AND must be received at the Scarsdale Chase Road US Post Office at least 2 days prior to Election Day, Thursday November 13, 2025, to help ensure delivery to P.O. Box 284 (same day service is not guaranteed).

Reminder: 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.

November 2025

• 11/2, Sunday:
• 7:00 p.m. LWVS Book Discussion, Private Home
• 11/3, Monday:
• Mock Election at Scarsdale Middle School
• 11/4, Tuesday:
• ELECTION DAY
• 11/5, Wednesday:
• 8:00 p.m. Public Forum re: proposed SBNC Resolution Amendments, SHS Rm 170-172
• 11/13, Thursday:
• Scarsdale CNC Election, Scarsdale Public Library
• 11/21, Friday:
• 9:30 a.m. Board Meeting, Village Hall
• 10:30 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Mtg (SBNC Resolution Amendments), Village Hall

December 2025

• 12/3, Wednesday:
• Scarsdale SBNC Election, Scarsdale Middle School
• 12/5, Friday:
• 9:30 a.m. Board Meeting, Village Hall
• 10:30 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Meeting (CNC Election), Village Hall

January 2026

• 1/9, Friday:
• 9:30 a.m. Board Meeting, Village Hall
• 1/24, Saturday:
• 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. LWVS Winter Social
• 1/30, Friday:
• 9:30 a.m. Board Meeting, Village Hall
• 10:30 a.m. Gen Membership/Consensus Meeting (SBNC Election), Village Hall

Please join us for our

LWVS Fall Book Discussion

1984

by George Orwell

Sunday, November 2, 2025

7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Private Home

Please join us on Sunday, November 2nd from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss 1984 by George Orwell.

Published in 1949 to great acclaim, the novel depicts a dystopian society, Oceania, where the totalitarian party controls every aspect of life under the watchful eye of Big Brother. The story follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking Party member who rebels by keeping a diary and engaging in a forbidden love affair with Julia. Many of the book’s themes, including government censorship, mass surveillance, alternative facts, and the manipulation of truth, remain relevant today. 

Bronx River Books in Scarsdale Village is offering a 10% discount on the purchase of the book when you mention you are participating in the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale Book Club.

We look forward to seeing you on November 2nd!

Youth Outreach at Scarsdale Middle School

SMS Mock Election

Monday, November 3, 2025

On Monday, November 3, the day before Election Day, League members and volunteers will support the Social Studies Department’s Mock Election. All Scarsdale Middle School students will go to the Great Hall during their Social Studies classes to cast their votes. The Youth Engagement Committee will provide students with voter guides, outlining the candidates and explaining important ballot proposals, so they can be informed voters. League members and 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 Mock Election, please click on the volunteer sign-up sheet below for available timeslots. It takes a village (pun intended) to run these programs, so your time and consideration are greatly appreciated.

• SMS Mock Election Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet

Please email the Youth Engagement Committee at lwvsyouthprograms@gmail.com with questions or to learn more.

Upcoming Information Session and Consensus Meeting

on the 

Proposed Amendments to the SBNC Resolution

Friday, November 21, 10:30 a.m.

Village Hall, 3rd Floor Meeting Room

At 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 21, LWVS will hold a general membership information session regarding the proposed amendments to the School Board Nominating Committee Resolution. Art Rublin, current Resolution Chair, will be present to answer questions. All members of the public are welcome to attend.*

• Proposed amendments to the SBNC Resolution
• Red-line changes to the SBNC Resolution

A consensus discussion will immediately follow the November 21 information session for purposes of making recommendations to the Administrative 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.

The School Board Nominating Committee Resolution is the document that governs the School District's non-partisan election system. The SBNC Administrative Committee is the body that solicits candidates for SBNC, runs the SBNC election, reviews and proposes amendments to the SBNC Resolution, and runs the referendum on the amendments, if any. The SBNC is the body that vets applicants and nominates the proposed slate for the Scarsdale Board of Education. 

The community will be voting on the proposed amendments on Wednesday, December 3, together with the SBNC New Member Election. The SBNC Election will take place at Scarsdale Middle School.

For more information, please contact Shilpa Spencer, LWVS School Election System Chair.

* The SBNC Administrative Committee is also hosting a public information session to discuss the proposed resolution amendments on Wednesday, November 5 at 8pm at Scarsdale High School in Room 170-172 in the District Office wing, or by Zoom (Meeting ID: 822 2710 2587, Passcode: 606383). Please contact Resolution Chair Art Rublin with any questions about the November 5 session or the proposed changes.

LWVS General Membership Information Session and Consensus Meeting 

on the Village Election System

Friday, December 5, 2025

10:30 a.m. at Village Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room and via Zoom

LWVS welcomes all members of the public to its annual general membership information session regarding this year's Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) election. Scarsdale Procedure Committee Chair Ralph Geer and Vice Chair Daniel Besikof have been invited to present and answer 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 and Attiya Malik, LWVS Village Election System Chairs, at LWVS.ves@gmail.com.

Global Citizenship Day at Scarsdale High School

On Friday, October 10, LWVS volunteers had the pleasure of presenting to Scarsdale High School students on Global Citizenship Day by sharing information about the League's history, role, and activities, both nationally and locally.

Joining them was SHS student Dylan Lemberg, who attended Students Inside Albany this past spring.  Dylan spoke about his impactful experience in Albany and encouraged his fellow students to learn more about the Students Inside Albany program.

Civics Jeopardy at Scarsdale Middle School

During the last week of October, League members and volunteers were in eighth-grade classrooms supporting the Social Studies teachers for its annual digital Civics Jeopardy Game. Students competed in teams to see what they knew about civics and gained a greater understanding of the election process and the importance of voting.

The League thanks over 40 volunteers from the Scarsdale Middle School community and the League for volunteering. The League also thanks the SMS social studies department for this great opportunity to help students learn about civics.

LWV Candidate Forum for Westchester County Executive

The recording of the LWVW-conducted Candidate Forum for Westchester County Executive is now available and can be viewed on the LWVW website.

The candidates running for Westchester County Executive are Ken Jenkins (D) and Christine Sculti (R). The forum took place on Monday, October 20, and was moderated by Patricia Sibilia.

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!

Whether you are new to our distinguished organization or have been involved for years, the LWVS invites you to become a member for the 2025-2026 year. Your membership in the LWVS automatically grants you membership in the county, state and national leagues. 

Follow the link below to learn about the benefits of membership or simply to rejoin. Please contact LWVS Membership Chairs Diksha Mudbhary and Liz Sipprelle at LWVSmembership@gmail.com with any questions.

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 LWVSMembership@gmail.com with any questions about your membership status or to change/update your contact information.

Thank you

I would like to thank the many league members who have worked diligently throughout the month of October to keep our community informed and engaged.

Thank you to Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez, Dana Matsushita and 2025 SHS Students Inside Albany participant Dylan Lemberg for their session with SHS students on Global Citizenship Day and to Shilpa Spencer for updating the presentation.  Thank you to the SHS social studies faculty and administration for inviting the League to participate.

Thank you also to Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez for organizing a legion of LWVS and Scarsdale Middle School parent volunteers to go into the 8th grade social studies classrooms and conduct informative games of Civics Jeopardy.  Thank you to the SMS PTA, the many volunteers, the 8th grade social studies teachers, and SMS administration for their support of this long-standing Scarsdale tradition.

Thank you to Kathy Gray for all her work this busy election season, coordinating with local Leagues from White Plains and New Rochelle to provide candidate information, voter education, and to conduct voter registration drives at local college campuses.

Thank you to Liz Sipprelle, Diksha Mudbhary and Anne Lyons for their tireless outreach, energy and creative approaches to this year’s membership drive, and to Trish Chen for keeping our finances in order and supporting membership outreach efforts.

Thank you to Dana Matsushita for her meticulous editing and timely execution of this Bulletin and other League communications.

Thank you to Diane Baylor for keeping our website fresh and informative, for leading a lively discussion on league history and voter education at the Scarsdale Seniors Advisory Council meeting, and for troubleshooting our recent database migration.

Thank you to Diksha Mudbhary, Abbi Ruane, Dalya Khan, and Shilpa Spencer for their behind-the-scenes work on community programming.

And finally to all of the board members, and former board members, who have offered their time, energy, insights and wise counsel in service of the LWVS and our community, thank you.

With sincere gratitude,

Beth Cukier

Village of Scarsdale

As of October 31, 2025

Board of Trustees

Justin Arest, Mayor

2nd term ends April 2027

Dara Gruenberg, Deputy Mayor

2nd term ends April 2027

Jeremy Gans

  2nd term ends April 2026

David Goldschmidt

1st term ends April 2027

Jason Kofman

1st term ends April 2027

Ken Mazer

  2nd term ends April 2026

Jeremy Wise

1st term ends April 2026

Board of Education

Jim Dugan, President

  2nd term ends June 2027

Colleen Brown, Vice President

  2nd term ends June 2028

Leah Dembitzer

1st term ends June 2027

Suzie Hahn

  2nd term ends June 2028

Robert Klein

  2nd term ends June 2026

Laura Ying Liu

1st term ends June 2028

Amber Yusuf

  2nd term ends June 2026

League of Women Voters of Scarsdale

2025-26

Officers

President: Beth Cukier

LWVSpresident@gmail.com

First Vice President: Deborah Bhatt

Second Vice President: Diksha Mudbhary

Corresponding Secretary: Dana Matsushita

LWVScommunications@gmail.com

Recording Secretary: Diane Baylor

LWVSrecsecretary@gmail.com

Treasurer: Trish Chen

LWVStreasury@gmail.com

2025-26 Elected Board Members

Kathy Gray

Dalya Khan

Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez

Nan Eileen Mead

Eva Romas Wilson

Abigail Ruane

Shilpa Spencer

2025-26 Appointed Board Members

Anne Lyons

Kitt Rosenthal

Liz Sipprelle

Committee Chairs

Advocacy: Abigail Ruane

Audit: Erika Rublin (Off-Board)

Book Group: Dalya Khan

Budget: TBD (Off-Board) 

Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures: Diane Baylor

Communications:

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

Development/Finance Drive: Erika Rublin (Off-Board)

Environment/Sustainability: Attiya Malik

Local Budgets:

• School Budget: Dalya Khan
• Village Budget: Deborah Bhatt

Local Election Systems:

• School Election: Shilpa Spencer
• Village Election: Diane Baylor and Attiya Malik

LWVW Liaison: Diane Baylor and Kitt Rosenthal

Membership: Diksha Mudbhary and Liz Sipprelle

• Membership Statistician: Shilpa Spencer

Nominating Chair: Lauren Grossberg (Off-Board) 

Planning and Zoning: Eva Romas Wilson

Program/Education: Diksha Mudbhary 

Voter Service: Kathy Gray and Attiya Malik

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

Youth Engagement:

• Civics Jeopardy: Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez
• Mock Election: Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez
• Students Inside Albany: Nan Eileen Mead

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.