|
Albany County
The Albany County League recently partnered with the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) to host a program on how the libraries in Albany County are funded. UHLS Director Tim Burke and UHLS Adult and Outreach Services Manager Judith Wines discussed the library system, how the 19 libraries in Albany County have widely divergent financial resources, and how to possibly increase library resources. The hosts also answered questions submitted by the public.
Westchester County
In honor of International Day of the Girl, the Westchester County League participated in Strive to Thrive: Unlocking Your True Potential at Manhattanville College. Hosted by the Westchester County Youth Bureau, Strive to Thrive invited high school girls throughout Westchester County to come together to be empowered in celebration of International Day of the Girl. The event will feature educational workshops, guest speakers, and performances. The Westchester County League hosted a table and delivered a Vote 18 workshop.
Rochester Metro Area
Along with their usual GOTV efforts, the Rochester Metro Area League has placed additional effort into tabling at grassroots community events in neighborhoods with historically low voter turnout. League volunteers have registered voters at community uplift events organized by Maplewood Neighborhood Association and Charlotte Neighborhood Association, the Front Porch Festival at Jordan Health Center, and at the Greater Harvest Church Pray and Play Events. Even though the number of attendees at the events is sometimes smaller than at the bigger festivals, the number of registrations has been comparable. As of September 20, the team has registered 41 new voters at these events and have reported having good conversations about the importance of voting in the local races this year.
Tompkins County
The Tompkins County League hosted a community-centered event that highlighted the importance of voting amongst all community members, with particular emphasis on the incarcerated and recently incarcerated. The event was co-sponsored by Your Voice + Your Vote, a coalition focused on civic education. The League was joined by speakers Dr. Kenneth Clarke (Director, Ithaca Office of Human Rights), Mar’Quon Frederick (undergraduate student organizer), Willie Owens (who shared a re-entry success story), and SingTrece (performer). Attendees enjoyed an evening of civic engagement, music, and food! League volunteers also registered people to vote.
St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County League president Kathleen Stein was a recent guest on North Country Matters to discuss the 2023 election! North Country Matters host Donna Seymour and Kathleen Stein discussed what voters can expect on their 2023 ballot, the changes to New York State election law that will affect voters, and the two state-wide ballot amendments. Click HERE to watch the full episode.
Cooperstown and Oneonta
The Oneonta Daily Star recently covered the Cooperstown and Oneonta Leagues’ work at Hartwick College! In Our Opinion: Protecting the right to vote is more important than ever calls out the Leagues as dedicated to supporting the democratic process, especially in their work in engaging younger voters.
The Leagues recently worked with Hartwick to launch its new Institute for Public Service the same week as National Voter Registration Day. The program is looking to sign up 300 voters in the next month, which could result in the possible addition of a polling place on the Hartwick campus. The institute has also been sponsoring debates for local elections to bring local governments to campus which could in turn spark interest among students, many of whom will be eligible to vote in their first presidential election next year.
Northeast Westchester and New York City
During the past year, Northeast Westchester League member Allison Chernow applied for and received a grant to help register formerly incarcerated people to vote. The project then grew into something bigger, and the Northeast Westchester League partnered with the New York City League, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, and Hudson Link & Exodus Transitional Community to hold “The Freedom to Vote.”
Along with being a voter registration drive, the event featured a panel discussion with social justice advocates and Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, the first formerly incarcerated person to serve in the NYS legislature, as the Keynote Speaker. Every speaker and almost every audience member was formerly incarcerated, and the messaging about voting and empowerment was directed to them. Audience members were completely engaged, asked the speakers great questions, and registered to vote afterwards!
| 
