OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy

     

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Table of Contents
-- President's Message
-- Registration Drives in High Gear
-- Spotlight on Janet Allen
-- Early Vote by Mail
-- State Senate, Assembly Candidates Debate Set
-- New Law: H.S. Students Must Have Chance to Register

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     President's Message
 
By Lizbeth Thalheimer

I woke up this morning and realized that the summer is almost over. My head is spinning with everything that needs to be done this fall. There is always a lot to do during election season, but with a national election the number of tasks is off the charts. We have many registration events scheduled at high schools & colleges, as well as several community events planned. One of my favorite events is Cow Harbor Day. We will be marching in the parade as well as manning a booth. We will all be wearing white in honor of our Suffragist ancestors -- you can't miss us. Stop by and say hi!

I am ready and excited to get to work. I'm inspired by the brand-new citizens I met while I was helping them register to vote during a recent Naturalization Ceremony. I have done this several times, and I am always moved by their excitement and enthusiasm to get out and vote for the first time. We can learn so much from them. They are so thrilled to be American Citizens and can't wait to exercise their civic duty to vote. We should all be just as enthusiastic!

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Registration Drives in High Gear
in Advance of Election Day
 
By Frances Whitelsey

Huntington League members are in the midst of voter registration drives at more than 6 high schools, two colleges, and a variety of other venues in the rush toward Election Day.

Thanks to an invitation from Dali Boczek, Director of Satellite Services, people who visit the Long Island Cares-Harry Chapin Humanitarian Center in Huntington Station will have the chance to register on several days in September and October. "By making it more convenient for our clients who might have transportation issues or who need a better understanding of the voter registration process, this ensures that more voices are heard," says Boczek. "We have some new Americans as clients who still face social or economic challenges. Registering to vote helps them to become part of the discussion of the policies that impact their lives."

At SUNY Old Westbury, Loretta Chillemi, Barbara Kurek, and Jeri Cohen gave a presentation in August to about 40 incoming freshmen, providing an overview on the League, voting rights and youth-oriented issues. The presentation included Power Point slides, music and graphics developed by Barbara. The League will be back at Old Westbury in September for another voter registration drive. The State University at Farmingdale will similarly host a League registration drive in September.

At a special event in Wyandanch called National Night Out, League members Mary Speed-Peri, Loretta Chillemi and Brenda Walker registered 10 new voters.

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    Spotlight on Janet Allen
 

When she isn’t singing with the New York Choral society, Janet Allen is most likely deeply involved in one of the many social issues that have dominated her working and personal life for 50 years, including through her membership with the LWV Huntington over that entire span of time.

Jan has spent her working and volunteer life in various leadership roles in the non-profit sector. She has been a program director, grant writer, legislative and government coordinator and registered lobbyist. Among the non-profits she held significant roles with are the Family Service Association of Nassau County (now Family and Children’s Association), Housing Help -- where she was the first executive director -- the Huntington Housing Authority, the Suffolk Community Council, the Fund for Modern Courts, and the Association of the Bar, City of New York, to name a few.

“I have a lot of connections,” says Janet. “I view myself as just part of the community.” She says her first job with the American Field Service, where she placed foreign high school students with American host families, gave her an expansive view of other countries and other cultures. “It opened me up to the whole world,” she says.

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   Early Vote by Mail
 
NYS Court of Appeals Upholds Early Vote by Mail as Constitutional in New York

On Aug. 20, the NYS Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of Early Vote by Mail. The ruling allows all eligible New Yorkers who want to cast their ballots by mail to do so without providing any excuse or reason.

Here's everything you need to know about voting by mail:

What is Early Vote by Mail?
Like voting by absentee ballots, Early Vote by Mail allows voters to apply for and receive a ballot in the mail, instead of having to vote in person. You need not have a reason at all.

How can I vote Early by Mail?
First Request a ballot here by October 26th or by going in person to your local Board of Elections. After your request has been approved, the Board of Elections will send you a ballot to fill out and mail back to the Board of Elections by November 5th.

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State Senate, Assembly Candidates
Debate Set for Oct 10
 
The questions have been written, the invitations sent, and all is in readiness for a debate Oct. 10, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Half Hollow Hills Community Library.

The candidates for New York State Senate District 2 are Republican incumbent Mario R. Mattera vs. Democrat Craig Herkowitz.

Other candidates have been invited but confirmations have not been received.

The library is located at 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills. The debtate will also be live streamed on: http://www.youtube.com/@leagueofwomenvotersofhunti2604

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New Law: High School Students Must
Have Chance to Register
 
Under a new law passed last year, high schools and boards of education throughout New York must give high school students 16 and 17 years old the chance to pre-register to vote and 18-year-olds the chance to register. As explained by the New York City Bar Association the law requires high schools and local boards of election to promote voter registration by providing students with access, information and assistance during the school year.

Sixteen- or 17-year-olds who pre-register will automatically be registered to vote upon reaching 18. The schools are advised to give students access to online and paper registration and pre-registration applications; to help them complete the forms; inform students of all early voting and other voting methods; and to conduct voter registration drives before the deadlines for all elections.

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