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 News and Updates

LWVNYC Featured on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women/Manhattan Chapter
"The League of Women Voters: Standing Up For Democracy, One Vote At A Time" by Suzanne Surbeck New York State League Supports June Primary
League Supports Voter Registration Legislation
Lunch with the League features LWVUS President, Elisabeth MacNamara
Click here for our latest Newsletter for Fall 2012!

LWVNYC Featured on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart

The League of Women Voters of the City of NY was approached by producers of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to be part of a skit that would satirize the current political scene and the putative "War on Women." City Affairs/Board of Elections Chair, Kate Doran was one of five women taped on April 4th for a segment that was aired on Tuesday, April 17th. Watch the wonderfully executed skit hosted by the Daily Show's Jason Jones.

 

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women/Manhattan Chapter

trainingVoter registration training is an ongoing program for the LWVNYC. On April 17th we made a trip to the Manhattan Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to train the organizations leaders. "We want the chapter to be able to assist in voter registration while mobilizing and empowering the citizens of our community." Janaera Gaston

If you or your organization would like to request the League's assistance with Voter Registration, please contact our office.

Photo captions: left to right - Barbara Barr, LWVNYC volunteer; Members of the NCBW, Janice Raiford, Dawn Keem, Dr Lena Mullins, and Annette Craig

"The League of Women Voters: Standing Up For Democracy, One Vote At A Time" by Suzanne Surbeck

Thanking the League of Women Voters, and the women of the suffrage movement, on this International Women's Day for their unrelenting pursuit to convince our Government to add the following words to our Constitution, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." Read more about the NYC chapter of the LWV in a story published on March 7, 2012 in AllVoices, written by Suzanne Surbeck.

Ms. Surbeck won the AllVoices American Pundit contest for this outstanding piece of journalism. "Surbeck reminds us of the importance of voting and highlights the League of Women Voters efforts to make voting as easy as possible for all those who enjoy the hard-won right to vote." source - AllVoices

New York State League Supports June Primary

"Letter: Primary election should be in June
To the editor
Published 01:10 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2011

The League of Women Voters of New York State is outraged at the state Legislature's inability to agree on a primary election date that is compliant with federal law. The September date for New York's nonpresidential primary does not satisfy the 2009 federal MOVE Act, which requires states to get ballots to overseas military voters 45 days before a federal election.

For 2010, the state received a one-time waiver that allowed it to continue holding congressional and state legislative primaries in September. There will not be a waiver for 2012. Now, the state faces the daunting prospect of holding three primaries — presidential, congressional and state legislative — next year unless the Legislature acts soon..." Read more

League Supports Voter Registration Legislation

On Monday, December 19th LWVNYC President Miriam R. Adelman attended a press conference on the steps of City Hall to voice the League's support for the introduction of bill, Int. 728, a Provision of Voter Registration Materials to Families. The legislation was introduced by New York City Councilman David G. Greenfield and it aims to have the Board of Education provide voter registration forms to all families when they enroll their children into public schools. The League; is hopeful that the legislation will be passed in time for the 2012 election. Click the link above for more information.

Photo Captions: Left photo. Front row left to right: Council Member Margaret S. Chin, LWVNYC President, Miriam R. Adelman, Council Member David G. Greenfield; Back row left to right: Council Member Ruben Wills, Council Member Lewis A. Fidler Right photo. Front row left to right: Council Member Margaret S. Chin, Council Member David G. Greenfield, LWVNYC President, Miriam R. Adelman; Second row left to right: Council Member Ruben Wills, United Federation of Teachers representative, Council Member Gayle A. Brewer; Back Row Council Member Lewis A. Fidler

Lunch with the League features LWVUS President, Elisabeth MacNamara

The New York City League was delighted to host our National League President, Elisabeth MacNamara at our most recent Lunch with the League meeting, Wednesday, December 14th. Ms. MacNamara came to speak to us about the role of the League as an advocate, with special emphasis on the voter suppression movement that is sweeping the nation.

Ms. MacNamara's presentation was poised, intelligent, saavy, and focused. She discussed the urgent work we have ahead countering state legislation that is trying to make it more difficult for citizens to vote in the upcoming 2012 elections and reminded us that the time for action is now if we want the 2012 election to be fair. In the words of Ms. MacNamara,"We, who understand the importance of full participation, must continue to oppose these efforts in every way possible. Whatever barriers the states throw up, we must work to overcome them. Regardless of who is behind it or what is motivating it, we must be just as organized and just as determined to make the process work for every voter and to make every vote count."

We are very grateful for President Elisabeth MacNamara taking the time to visit to New York and address our members and guests. Her words and spirit filled us with renewed pride in our League membership and renewed our desire for continuing advocacy of our vital issues, regardless of the obstacles. We are eagerly looking forward to the 2012 elections!

Lunch with the League features Errol Louis

The first meeting of our Lunch with the League series held on September 21st was full of excitement and engaging perspective delivered by our guest speaker, Errol Louis, host of the New York 1 program Inside City Hall. Mr. Louis discussed the need to understand the nature of the news media today when it concerns elections and candidates.

We would like to thank Mr. Louis, the Brennan Center for hosting our meeting, and all of you who attended this informative meeting.

State Heeds Minor Parties on Voting-Machine Complaint

By SAM ROBERTS - NYT SEPTEMBER, 9, 2011

New York State's minor parties scored a major victory Thursday when the state's Board of Elections agreed to alter a vote-counting anomaly that the parties argued was a threat to their very survival. Read more...

Voter Registration Training - AUGUST 20, 2011

On Saturday August 20th, community leaders and organizers attended a League of Women Voters of the City of New York voter registration training seminar in mid-town Manhattan. After an introductory overview of the League, Voter Services Chair, Hope Freeman discussed voting and the upcoming elections. The discussion then turned to common reasons for voter apathy and ways to counter them. Adrienne Kivelson, Vice-President, followed the discussion with a walk through presentation of the training manual distributed to each participant. Adrienne Kivelson PresentingThe manual includes a sample of the materials necessary to conduct an effective voter registration drive, and where to find registration resources.

The training session was attended by a well informed, enthusiastic group that had excellent questions about registration and how the redistricting process affects elections. We thank all attendees who spent the morning with us and we are grateful for the time they will dedicate to registering New York voters. Contact our office for information about the League, voting, redistricting, and how to request a voter registration training session for your group or organization.

2011 Legislative Session Summary

Below you will find a summary of the major issues from this session, including some on the League's agenda that we can count as major accomplishments for the 2011 session. Work still needs to be done on other issues important to the League, notably redistricting reform and campaign finance reform, which were not addressed in this session. Read more...

Marriage Equality Is Now the Law in New York State

Thanks to the determination and courage of the majority of New York State Legislators, the commitment and political skill of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the unwavering support and advocacy of the LGBT community and its allies, including the League of Women Voters, couples of the same sex will be able to enter into civil marriages in New York State. Passed and signed on June 24th, the Act becomes effective in 30 days. Read more...

LWVNYC Wins the Visibility Award

visibilityThe League of Women Voters of the City of New York was recently awarded the Visibility Award by the New York State League for the use of innovative technology to garner publicity.

Miriam R. Adelman, LWVNYC President, accepting the LWVNY Visibility Award, from State President, Betsey Swan (right to left).

LWVNYC Education Fund Annual Luncheon

tischThe annual award luncheon to benefit the New York City League Education Fund was held on May 5th at the Hotel Roosevelt. Although the attendance did not reach the record-breaking level of the 2010 luncheon, approximately 150 of our traditional supporters, new friends, and members produced both good feelings and raised $60,000 to support our work. Our chairman was Don Lowery, Senior Vice President of The Nielsen Company.

The League's award for Woman of Distinction 2011 was presented to Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, who spoke about her high regard for the League and about the importance of public education in our society. With the visit of President Obama to the World Trade Center site that afternoon, our other principal speaker, Errol Louis, host of "Inside City Hall" NY1 News, was unable to attend but two guests at the luncheon, Michael Jack and Dave Davis, President & General Manager of NBC New York and WABC-TV respectively, presented lighthearted impromptu commentary on television news.

Toni Coffee, Chair

 

League of Women Voters of the City of New York
4 West 43rd Street, Suite 615, New York, NY 10036 Phone: (212) 725-3541 Fax: (212) 725-3443
Email:lwvnyc@hotmail.com

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