What We Do
We believe in encouraging citizens to register to vote and to take part in government and politics. The League sponsors candidate debates, conducts voter registration drives, and provides information about voting to the public. Thanks to our large grassroots membership network, our efforts span from Montauk to Plattsburgh to Buffalo and everywhere in between.
Action includes lobbying, writing letters and sending e-mails to public officials; testifying at public hearings; litigating to help clarify laws in the public interest; working in coalitions; monitoring elections and other government activities; and using public forums, panel discussions, League publications, and the media to provide information to members and the public.
The League educates New Yorkers of on the importance of their participation in government, the political process, and, most importantly, in the life of their home community; create awareness of the issues at the local, state and national levels and what average citizens can do to have an impact on their government; and instill in young people and new citizens the knowledge of their role and responsibilities in managing their own government.
What We Do
The League educates New Yorkers of on the importance of their participation in government, the political process, and, most importantly, in the life of their home community; create awareness of the issues at the local, state and national levels and what average citizens can do to have an impact on their government; and instill in young people and new citizens the knowledge of their role and responsibilities in managing their own government.
Voter Outreach
We believe in encouraging citizens to register to vote and to take part in government and politics. The League sponsors candidate debates, conducts voter registration drives, and provides information about voting to the public. Thanks to our large grassroots membership network, our efforts span from Montauk to Plattsburgh to Buffalo and everywhere in between.
Advocacy
Action includes lobbying, writing letters and sending e-mails to public officials; testifying at public hearings; litigating to help clarify laws in the public interest; working in coalitions; monitoring elections and other government activities; and using public forums, panel discussions, League publications, and the media to provide information to members and the public.
Education
Our Impact
By the numbers
Registered 14,900+ voters
an additional 3,569 NY voters registered with vote411
held 823 voter registration drives and 79 trainings
distributed over 4,100 voter registration forms
23K volunteer hours
2,499 league volunteers
1,879 volunteers assisted with voter registrations
200 volunteers helped with candidate forums
Provided 1,030,676 people with get out the vote information
Partnered with 425 organizations
Events
Democracy Defenders:Redistricting’s Influence on Election Results
Join us for our next episode we will be joined by Jeffrey M. Wice, Distinguished Adjunct Professor and Senior Fellow at the NY Elections, Census & Redistricting Institute, New York […]
Apply for absentee or vote by early mail ballot in person (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must apply by Nov. 3
Apply for absentee or vote by early mail ballot by mail/online (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must be Received by Oct. 25
Deliver ballot in person (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must be delivered by close of polls on Nov 4 to your poll site or BOE
Deliver ballot by mail (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must be Postmarked by Nov. 4; Must be Received by Nov. 12
Last day to make changes to your registration (GENERAL ELECTION)
Changes of name and/or address by registered voters must be received by the BOE 15 days before the election
Apply for military ballot if previously registered (GENERAL ELECTION)
Oct 28: Last day for board of elections to RECEIVE application for Military/Special Federal/UOCAVA ballot if previously registered
Apply for military ballot if NOT previously registered (GENERAL ELECTION)
Oct 25: Last day for board of elections to RECEIVE application for Military/Special Federal/UOCAVA ballot if NOT previously registered
Change of Party Enrollment (MIDTERM PRIMARY ELECTION)
An application to change your party enrollment for the 2026 primary election must be received by the board of elections by February 14th, 2026.
Democracy Defenders: Understanding Ranked Choice Voting
Join us for our next episode with League of Women Voters Rochester Metro Area President, Barbara Grosh, for a ranked choice voting training. With the election right around the corner, […]
Golden Day (GENERAL ELECTION)
October 25 is the final day to register to vote AND also the first day of Early Voting. All those eligible to register to vote in New York State may […]
Democracy Defenders: Testifying at a Hearing or Public Meeting
Join us in becoming a Democracy Defender! For our next episode of the webinar series, we will hear from LWVNYS Executive Director, Erica Smitka, who will host a training on […]
Good Trouble Lives On
As we honor the life of Congressman John Lewis, we must remember that Good Trouble Lives On! July 17th marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of Congressman John Lewis. […]
National Voter Registration Day
Advocacy Day 2025
The League of Women Voters of NYS calls on all members to join us for Advocacy Day at the NYS Capitol on May 6th, 2025. This is a crucial opportunity […]
LWVNYS- New York State Convention 2025
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News
Local League Support
All of the local leagues within each of our five NYS regions are set to hold their quarterly meetings in November, which is approaching quickly! In between scheduled meetings, individual […]
“No Kings” Rally
It is important for us to be active and visible during this time as we work tirelessly to defend democracy against our rapidly changing government. On October 18, Local Leagues […]
State Leaders Message
As League members, we find ourselves at an important moment. The months leading up to the midterm elections will require dedication, energy, and persistence. Through Unite and Rise, our Voter […]
2026 Voter Guides
As election season rapidly approaches, it is our shared responsibility to ensure that voters are well informed and prepared to participate in the democratic process. 2026 Voter Guide, Part 1 […]
LWVNYS Board Announcements
Several weeks ago, we were thrilled to announce our victory in the Department of Justice case seeking sensitive voter data from the NYS Board of Elections. The DOJ has since […]
Observer Corps
Join us for our next Statewide Observer Corps meeting on August 27, 2026. These meetings will focus on helping you and your local League to grow your Observer Corps as […]
Make a Plan to Vote Cards
Check out our new make a plan to vote cards for the 2026 Election here! These will soon be available and sent out to local Leagues to be used as […]
Election Protection Taskforce
Join the League and our partners to create an Election Protection Taskforce during this election season. We are recruiting volunteers across New York State in partnership with the NAACP and […]
VAN/GOTV with Monica Ferguson
Join the State League and our VAN Chair, Monica Ferguson, to learn how you and your League can best use VAN to target voters for Get Out the Vote efforts […]
The League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns
The League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns (LWVR) has presented its first-ever Civic Leadership Award to Sharon Courtney, executive director for social studies education for the Yonkers Public Schools, […]
The League of Women Voters Syracuse Metro Area
LWV Syracuse will be doing Voter Registration at two Naturalization Ceremonies in August. In recognition of the August 8th Day of Action, LWV Syracuse will be doing Voter Registration and […]
Victory! Court Blocks USCIS Rule Restricting Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies
WASHINGTON, DC — On August 3, the District Court of Maryland temporarily blocked a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that prevented nonpartisan civic engagement groups from registering new […]
Press Release: We Won! NY Voters’ Private Data Stays Protected
Contact: Erica Smitka, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of New York State E: erica@lwvny.org Victory for New York Voters: Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking Private Voter Data —————————————————— (New York – July […]
Press Release: NY Democratic Election Commissioners Back Democracy During Detention Act as 2026 State Legislative Priority
Students Inside Albany Conference Agenda
The Student’s Inside Albany Conference promotes principles of democracy for our young people. Our objective is to:
League of Women Voters of Saratoga County
Watch the League’s “Defending Democracy” remarks by League President, Lori Dawson, at the No Kings rally in Saratoga Springs. The League co-sponsored the event where thousands gathered locally in support […]
League of Women Voters of New York State Seeks to Intervene in Lawsuit to Protect Sensitive Voter Information
On October 25th, the League of Women Voters of New York State, represented by Campaign Legal Center (CLC) and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law (Brennan […]
Join us in becoming a Democracy Defender!
The League of Women Voters of New York State thanks all who attended last month’s episodes of our civic education and advocacy webinar series, Democracy Defenders. If you missed our […]
Updates from the State League
The League of Women Voters NYS mourns the loss of a remarkable League leader, Richard Rifkin. Richard’s life was a beacon of service, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the community […]
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our State DEI Committee meeting of October 6th was well worth the wait! At the top of the meeting, most attendees took the opportunity provided to them to speak to […]
Voter Services
Congratulations to Leagues that participated so successfully in the No Kings Day rallies across the state! I hope all your election-day preparations were rewarding and productive as well – registering, […]
State Leaders Message
A huge thank-you to our local Leagues for continuing to promote VOTE411. By sharing it through social media, texts, and emails, we empower voters right where they are by helping […]
League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area
On September 10 the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area (LWVCA) held “An Evening in Defense of Democracy,” its kick-off event for “Unite & Rise 8.5” The focus […]
League of Women Voters of New York State Seeks to Intervene in Lawsuit Filed by DOJ to Protect Sensitive Voter Information
League of Women Voters New Castle
On September 27, LWV New Castle took part in the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival by running a sponsor booth to engage with festival goers. Staffed by League members and high […]
