LWVW Quarterly Newsletter | |
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In this issue:
- Message from the President
- Upcoming League Events
- Recap of Recent Events
- Committee Reports
- Voter Service
- Important Deadlines for General Election
- Recordings of Candidate Forums
- Flip Your Ballot for the Two Proposals
- Vote411.org
- Voter Registration Drives
- Advocacy and Education
- Environmental Issues
- County Government
- County Budget
- Youth Engagement
- UN Day
- Directory of Officials
- Volunteers Needed
- LWVW Board of Directors and Committee Chairs
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LWVW President's Message
Thoughts from Kathy Meany...
As the League of Women Voters of Westchester and the nine local leagues wrap up all the educational and advocacy programs and events, we continue to encourage every registered voter to Get Out the Vote! What is your voting plan? Are you encouraging family and friends of all generations to ensure that their voices are heard?
It’s been an exhausting year for all of us, and I want to thank all of the league volunteers, partner organizations, college campuses and other educational institutions that registered voters, informed voters, presented at events, coordinated and moderated candidate forums, sent communications, posted and contributed to social media, and prepared and planned by attending endless meetings. Without all of you, these important voter activities would not have happened. Be proud of everything we have accomplished this year.
Now, one more item on the list. If you have not yet voted, or someone you know has not yet voted, you may still vote early at any Westchester County polling location until Sunday, November 3, 2024, or in person on election day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at your assigned polling location.
As we said on the D-Day remembrance in June 2024 … "let’s storm the beaches and continue the fight!” No vote. No voice.
“Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it.” -- Susan B. Anthony
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October
- Saturday, October 26, 2024 through Sunday, November 3, 2024: Early Voting for General Election
November
- Tuesday, November 5, 2024: General Election
- Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5:30pm via Zoom: LWVW Executive Committee Meeting
December
- Friday, December 13, 2024, 10:30am at Manhattanville University, Reid Castle: LWVW Board of Directors Meeting
- Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:00pm at Manhattanville University, Reid Castle: LWVW Holiday Luncheon -- Save the Date! Keynote to be announced soon.
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On Saturday, September 7, 2024, in conjunction with the Campaign School (TCS) at Yale, LWVW co-sponsored a program dubbed The Basics, a comprehensive discussion of all the components necessary to begin a political career, both personally and professionally. Similar to LWVW's Running & Winning annual event for high school girls, this training workshop was designed for adult women and especially women of color interested in preparing to take that first leap into politics and plan to go from the comforts of home to the school board, city council, or the state house.
Later that same day, LWVW also participated in YWCA's YWomenVote National Town Hall, a live-streamed national forum. The goal of this nonpartisan event was to help people understand the effect of voting on our community and highlight individuals’ specific roles in making their voices heard and taking action that drives meaningful change. Discussion covered a variety of critical topics, including reproductive health, gun violence, climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion, racial justice, gender equity, threats to democracy, childcare, women’s economic security, and more.
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On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, LWVW partnered with Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc., for a voting and disabilities rights special event at Westchester County Center. The keynote speaker was Jenna Bainbridge, who currently stars in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Suffs. Bainbridge captivated the audience as she described her experience as a wheelchair-bound actor and disability activist. The event also featured remarks by Westchester County's Election Commissioners and Deputy County Executive as well as demonstrations of accessible voting machines.
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Important Deadlines for General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Early Voting: Saturday, October 26, 2024 to Sunday November 3, 2024
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Sunday, November 3, 2024: Last day of Early Voting.
Monday, November 4, 2024 (one day before the election): Last day to apply in person at the Westchester Board of Elections (25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601) for an early mail or absentee ballot.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 (General Election Day): Last day to postmark a completed early mail or absentee ballot (must be received by Tuesday November 12, 2024) or to submit an early mail or absentee ballot in person to the Westchester Board of Elections or at any polling site throughout Westchester County by the close of the polls.
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Recordings of Candidate Forums | |
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On Thursday, October 17, 2024, LWVW hosted an in-person Candidate Forum for U.S. Congressional District 16. John Hessel served as moderator, posing questions on a variety of topics to candidates Miriam Flisser (R) and George Latimer (D).
The previously announced U.S. Congressional District 17 Candidate Forum between Mondaire Jones (D) and Michael Lawler (R) was cancelled. Mondaire Jones had agreed to participate in the proposed October 21, 2024 date at the Ossining Public Library but Michael Lawler, would not commit to any date.
The previously announced Westchester County District Attorney Candidate Forum between Susan Cacase (D) and John Sarcone (R) was cancelled. John Sarcone had agreed to participate but Susan Cacase declined the League’s invitation to participate in the proposed October 24, 2024 forum at the White Plains Public Library.
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Additional candidate forums hosted by local leagues for NYS Senate Districts 35, 37, and 40, for NYS Assembly Districts 88, 90, 94, and 95, and for the Tuckahoe Village Board of Trustees also took place. All of these events were recorded and are available for viewing on demand on the LWVW website.
None of these events would have been possible without the generosity of LWVW-trained moderators who graciously donated their time and energy to make these nonpartisan candidate forums a success. Moderators are needed throughout the year for candidate forums relating to the March Village and Town elections, the May school board elections, the June primaries, and any special elections occurring before the next general election in November. Training is provided at no charge. Email westchesterlwv@gmail.com to get involved.
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Flip Your Ballot for the Two Proposals | |
Proposal 1: Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment
Description of Proposal:
This proposal amends Article 1, Section 11 of the New York Constitution. Section 11 now protects against unequal treatment based on race, color, creed, and religion. The proposal will amend the act to also protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive healthcare and autonomy. The amendment allows laws to prevent or undo past discrimination.
Question on the Ballot:
This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.
A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.
A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.
LWV NYS Position on Proposal No. 1: Vote YES.
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Westchester County Ballot Proposal: Increase the Term Length for County Legislators from Two to Four Years
Description of Proposal:
This proposal amends Chapter 107 of the Laws of Westchester County, known as Westchester County Proposition No. 2024-1, to extend the terms of County Legislators from two to four years, while keeping existing term limits in place. According to the proposers, "[t]his change would allow legislators to concentrate more fully on the needs of their constituents, focus on policy proposals rather than constant campaigning, reduce the cost of administering elections, and align with the standard set by a majority of New York State county legislative bodies, which already have four-year terms."
Question on the Ballot:
Should individuals serving in the position of Westchester County Legislator serve four-year terms instead of two-year terms?
A “YES” vote extends the terms to four years.
A “NO” vote leaves the terms at two years.
LWV NYS and LWVW Have Not Taken A Position on this Proposal.
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LWVW volunteers administer the Vote411.org guide for Westchester, soliciting information from all candidates in the races for NYS Supreme Court 9th District, Westchester County District Attorney, Westchester County Court Judge, Westchester County Family Court Judge, and all the local races. This election, the committee covered a total of 29 races, with outreach to all 64 candidates, and received responses from 37 candidates (58%). Volunteers from all nine local leagues helped this effort and Mary Beth Gose contributed crucial expertise and research.
LWVNYS administers the guide's contents insofar as it pertains to any state-wide federal and state races (including U.S. Senate), as well as the U.S. Congressional Districts within New York, and all NYS Senate and Assembly races. LWVUS handles the races for U.S. President and Vice President.
According to Megan Brown, LWVUS Vote411.org Director, Vote411.org usage as of last week already exceeded the total number of users in all of 2020.
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VOTE 411 has all your election information to:
- Check your registration status
- Find your polling place
- See what is on your ballot
- Learn about the candidates
- View recorded candidate forums
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Voter Registration Drives | |
This fall, LWVW and local leagues coordinated voter registration drives throughout the county, including at Westchester Community College campuses in Yonkers and Mount Vernon, Iona University, local area high schools, libraries, and farmers' markets to register voters and pre-register eligible 16, 17, and 18-year-olds on site. | |
Advocacy and Education
Environmental Issues
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Areas of advocacy this year continue to pertain to the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S4246B/A5322B), which passed in the NYS Senate but failed to come to a vote in the NYS Assembly in the last legislative session.
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County Government
County Budget
The County Executive proposes an operating budget and is required by the County Charter to submit it to the Board of Legislators on or before November 10, 2024. As of this writing, the proposed operating budget has not yet been published. However, below are links to the 2025 budgets that have been made public thus far.
2025 Proposed Capital Budget
2024-25 Adopted Westchester Community College Budget
Following review and debate by the Board of Legislators as well as public comment, the Board of Legislators adopts the budget by a minimum of nine votes of the 17-member board and also votes to apportion the tax levy. The County Executive may then sign the budget as adopted or issue vetoes, subject to override by 2/3 vote (12 legislators). By law, the budget must be finalized by Dec. 27, 2024.
This year, LWVW will not be hosting its annual information session and consensus meeting but will continue to disseminate information concerning the proposed operating budget when it becomes available.
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Youth Engagement
UN Day
On Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Manhattanville University, LWVW reprised its role as a sponsor for United Nations Day. This year's topic was "Why the World Needs the UN and the UN Needs US." The specific focus was on the UN's sustainable development agenda. Principal speakers were Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UN Development Programme, and Laurel Rapp, Deputy Director, Policy Planning Staff, Liaison with the United Nations, US Department of State.
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The event aligned with the League’s mission of educating and engaging youth in opportunities for civic participation. Emma Freeman, LWVW Youth Director, was joined by other LWVW Youth Corp members, Maya Barmecha, Gabriella Luma, and Lara Auffarth to share league, election, and voting information. In addition to many print materials, stickers, and buttons, they also showed voters how to use Vote411 on an iPad to check their registration and get other election information. Their presence alone sent the message of the importance of youth commitment to civic engagement as League members.
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Directory of Officials
This year's printed Directory of Officials for Westchester County contains new content, including social media, email addresses, URLs for streaming of public governmental meetings, legislative district maps and charts, and more.
Work on the 2025 edition will begin after the General Election results are certified. To join the committee, email the LWVW Directory of Officials Chair.
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Join or Chair a Committee!
To become involved in any of the LWVW activities and committees, please email westchesterlwv@gmail.com and include your areas of interest in the subject line.
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League of Women Voters of Westchester | |
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Officers:
President: Kathy Meany (Northwest Westchester), 2023-25
1st Vice President: TBD, 2024-26
2nd Vice President: Mary Kirsch (New Castle), 2023-25
3rd Vice President: Louise Perez (Larchmont/Mamaroneck), 2024-26
Secretary: Adie Shore (Scarsdale), 2024-25
Treasurer: Mary Beth Gose (Scarsdale), 2024-26
Treasurer: Marylou Green (Scarsdale), 2024-26
Board of Directors (elected):
Joan Alexander (New Rochelle), 2023-25
Diane Baylor (Scarsdale), 2023-25
Mary Pat Campbell (Northeast Westchester), 2024-25
Liz Gereghty (Northeast Westchester), 2024-26
Crystal Joseph (Rivertowns), 2024-26
Susan Schwarz (Rivertowns), 2024-25
Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale), 2023-25
Denise Povolny (Rivertowns) 2024-26
Board of Directors (appointed):
Emma Freeman, Youth Representative (Larchmont/Mamaroneck), 2024-25
Max Szuchman, Youth Representative (Larchmont/Mamaroneck), 2024-25
Committee Chairs:
Civics Education: Liz Gereghty (Northeast Westchester)
Civics Education: Denise Povolny (Rivertowns)
Communications/Technology: Diane Baylor (Scarsdale)
County Government: Mary Pat Campbell (Northeast Westchester)
Directory of Officials: Diane Baylor (Scarsdale)
Environment: Susan Schwarz (Rivertowns)
Fundraising: Steve Meyers (Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester)
Fundraising: Robyn Weintraub (Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester)
LWVW Budget: TBD
Naturalization Ceremonies: Barbara Shore (White Plains)
Naturalization Ceremonies: Diane Tabakman (White Plains)
Nominating Committee: TBD
NYS ERA Taskforce: Adie Shore (Scarsdale)
Running & Winning: Denise Povolny (Rivertowns)
Running & Winning: Adie Shore (Scarsdale)
Social Media: Robyn Weintraub (Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester)
Speaker Programs (Annual Meeting, Holiday Luncheon): Kathy Meany (Northwest Westchester)
Students Inside Albany: Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale)
Voter Service (Candidate Forums): Kathy Meany (Northwest Westchester)
Voter Service (Inter-League Coordination): Kathy Meany (Northwest Westchester)
Voter Service (Moderator Scheduling): Alice McNamara (Rivertowns)
Voter Service (Moderator Training): Kathy Meany (Northwest Westchester)
Voter Service (Registration): Joan Alexander (New Rochelle)
Voter Service (Vote 411): Mary Kirsch (New Castle)
Youth Engagement: Crystal Joseph (Rivertowns)
Local League Presidents:
Larchmont/Mamaroneck: Louise Perez and Elisabeth Radow
New Castle: Leslie Kuhn
New Rochelle: Joan Alexander
Northeast Westchester: Susan Ferris Rights
Northwest Westchester: Rene Artale
Rivertowns: Susan Maggiotto
Rye/Rye Brook/Port Chester: Roz Carvin and Liz Rotfeld
Scarsdale: Heedan Chung
White Plains: Alan Cass
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League of Women Voters of Westchester
520 White Plains Road, Suite 500, Tarrytown, NY 10591
westchesterlwv@gmail.com | 914-366-7312
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