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]. 

Welcome to the 2023-2024 League Year! We enjoyed seeing many of you at our membership coffee at the Scarsdale Business Alliance’s dining tent in the Scarsdale Village Center. Despite the rain and wind, we enjoyed hearing from Scarsdale’s Mayor, Justin Arest, who updated the community on ongoing projects and answered many questions from our engaged community.   

Election season has begun and Election Day, November 7, is just about 5 weeks away. The LWVS is busy providing up-to-date election information to our community. Please see our Voter Services recap, below, for election information, including all pertinent dates and information for absentee voting and early voting, as well as information about candidates and ballot proposals.

The LWVS, founded in 1921, has been active in the Scarsdale community for over 100 years. We study and evaluate policy issues that impact our community and work to educate residents about our school and village budgets. We also work to provide clear, accurate voter information to residents, and we encourage active political engagement in the government. The LWVS organizes and sponsors education events for the community, as well as youth outreach programs such as Students Inside Albany for high schoolers and next month we will host Civics Jeopardy and Mock Elections at Scarsdale Middle School.  

Please mark your calendars and RSVP for two upcoming exciting events, with additional details below. On the evening of October 22, we will host our Fall Book Club, and on November 18th, we are honored to host Colleen Brathwaite, Director of the Westchester Women’s Agenda, at our annual Food for Thought Event at the Scarsdale Library.

This is the season to renew your membership or join our League for the first time! Your membership will help bolster our critical work. Thank you for your continued support of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale–stay informed, stay engaged, and most importantly, VOTE!

Best wishes, 

Heedan Chung & Jessica Zellner

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. 

• 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.
• In person during Early Voting: Voters may vote in person at any of the Early Voting Locations (TBA).
• 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:

• Now: Residents should check their voter registration status.
• 10/23 (Monday): is the last day change of address must be received by the Board of Elections for the General Election.
• 10/28 (Saturday): Early Voting Period begins. Voters may vote in person at any of the Early Voting Locations (TBA). This is the last day a voter registration application must be received by the Board of Elections to vote in the General Election.
• 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.

Redistricting Update

After several months of review and many public comments received on the December 2022 Redistricting maps, the Independent Redistricting Commission released a new Assembly map on April 20th. The April Map keeps the district configuration for the Village of Scarsdale, rather than changing it as the December map proposed. The State Legislature ratified the new map soon after its release. There are some slight additional changes that are expected after the November election, but no changes will be made to the Village of Scarsdale’s Legislative District No. 5.  

October 2023

• 10/2, Monday:
• 9:15 a.m. Board Meeting, Scarsdale Public Library
• 10/22, Sunday:
• 7:00 p.m. Book Discussion, Private Home
• 10/28, Saturday - 11/5, Sunday:
• Early Voting

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, 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

Naturalization Ceremonies

Remaining 2023 dates:

October 3

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 October 3, 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 President at [email protected].

Please join us for our

LWVS Fall Book Discussion

Small Things Like These 

by Claire Keegan

Sunday, October 22, 2023

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Private Residence 

Please join us on Sunday, October 22nd from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 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. "From the elements of this simple existence in an inconsequential town, Keegan has carved out a profoundly moving and universal story. There’s nothing preachy here, just the strange joy and anxiety of firmly resisting cruelty." -Washington Post Review, 12/7/21. Although short (128 pages!), this beautifully told story presents numerous opportunities for discussion both about an individual's conscience and the responsibility of an entire community. 

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 October 22nd!

Youth Outreach at Scarsdale Middle School

SMS 8th Grade Civics Jeopardy Game

Week of Monday, October 30, 2023

SMS Mock Election

Monday, November 6, 2023

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 Membership Coffee

On September 18, current and prospective members were welcomed under Scarsdale's outdoor dining tent for coffee and conversation to learn about the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale. There was a wonderful turnout despite the dreary weather!

Mayor Justin Arest spoke about issues relevant to Scarsdale residents, including infrastructure work, safety concerns, housing, updates on the pool renovation, and the proposed pickleball courts, with time available for Q&A.

LWVNY State 60th Biennial Convention 2023

by Alissa Baum

I was honored to represent the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale and join leaders from all of the New York Leagues at the New York State 60th Biennial Convention held in Albany, New York. This was the first fully in-person convention since the pandemic began, and it was wonderful to meet many of the Leaguers I have been working with over Zoom during my two-year tenure. This year’s workshops included everything from how to become a more effective moderator for candidate events, what has changed in New York election procedures, how to engage college students in League work, and recent efforts to evaluate progress in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, among many other topics.

The convention’s keynote speaker was Carolyn Mahoney, former Congresswoman from New York, who is currently serving as the “Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Leader in Residence” at Hunter College’s Roosevelt House as well as President of the National Organization for Women (NOW) for New York State and Chair of the ERA Coalition’s Fund for Women’s Equality. Mahoney spoke of the status of the national Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the ways the League can ensure it becomes a constitutional reality. Initially passed in 1972, the national ERA did not receive the requisite 38-state ratification until 2020, which was beyond the ratification deadline. Maloney is urging that Congress extend the ratification deadline so that the national ERA can become part of the U.S. Constitution. For more information on the history of the ERA and how you can get involved, see the Sign4ERA.org website. 

Another hot topic at the convention was the League membership and dues structure changes adopted at the 2022 LWVUS Convention, known as the Transformation Journey, which will be implemented over time beginning in 2024. Ayo Atterbery, LWVUS Chief of Culture, discussed the anticipated changes and answered questions. These changes will affect how the LWVS collects dues and fundraises, so the LWVS Board will monitor proposed changes and provide needed input.

In addition to these workshops and speaker events, the New York Leagues voted on the LWVNYS slate, budget, bylaw amendments, and annual program, including the adoption of a new position on Waste. In addition, two studies were adopted: one study on the use of Ranked Choice Voting (“RCV”) for state and federal elections and alternatives to party primaries for state, congressional, and local offices and one Study on the process used by the state Board of Elections to approve voting systems. 

It was inspiring to meet such intelligent, accomplished and passionate League leaders and to learn about the breadth of work pursued by various Leagues across the state. Given the continued effort in some areas to place barriers on the ability to vote, it was reassuring to know that there is an organization which is working to empower voters and strengthen democracy.

Free Webinar

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

7:00 pm via Zoom

Endocrine Disruptors in Plastics: State Policy Options

All are welcome to attend this free webinar about NYS policy options for addressing endocrine disruptors with John Peterson (Pete) Myers, Ph.D., CEO and Chief Scientist of Environmental Health Sciences, New York State Senator Peter Harckham, Chair of the New York Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and Megan Wolff, Ph.D., MPH, Policy Director at Beyond Plastics.

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 extend thanks to the League members whose work and dedication throughout the summer and this past month have served to move our League forward. 

Thanks to Jenny Tabak for always providing sound advice and guidance as well as for her work as Membership Statistician.

Thanks to Voter Service Chairs Donna Conkling and Kathy Gray for all of their work educating voters about upcoming important dates and elections and to Alissa Baum for following voter issues over the summer.  

Thank you to our Membership Chair Diksha Mudbhary for her work over the summer and this fall to ensure a successful membership drive and for her work as School Election Portfolio Chair.

Thanks to Susan Lee Foley for beginning her work as Youth Engagement and Education Portfolio Chair and for ensuring that the SMS Mock Election and Civics Jeopardy game planning is off to a good start.

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

Thanks to Diane Baylor, our Village Election Portfolio Chair, 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 Dalya Khan for her work as Chair of our LWVS Book Club.

Thanks to Debbie Miller for her continued thoughtful guidance and advice and to her and to Bob Miller for always being willing to lend a hand (and equipment!) for all of our sound needs. 

Thanks to Kitt Rosenthal for being our LWVW Liaison and for her important Board work. 

Thanks to Amber Yusuf for overseeing the audit of the League’s finances.

Thank you to Nan Eileen Mead and Abigail Ruane, for their participation and leadership roles on the ERA Taskforce, and thank you to our Scarsdale High School intern, Lex Silverstein, for her ongoing work on the ERA Taskforce.

Thank you to Marcy Berman-Goldstein and the Scarsdale Business Alliance for allowing the League to use the wonderful dining tent in the Village Center for our Membership Coffee and to Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest, for joining us, speaking, and answering our community’s questions. Thank you also to Deputy Mayor Randall Whitestone, Board of Education Vice President Suzie Hahn, and Board of Education Member Amber Yusuf for attending the Coffee.

We look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the coming year!

Our best,

Heedan Chung & Jessica Zellner

Village of Scarsdale

As of September 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.