Vote Today
Shape Tomorrow
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. We work to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influence public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. Membership is open to anyone 16 years of age or older.
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
2024 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 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 […]
Apply for absentee or vote by early mail ballot in person (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must apply by Nov. 3
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. […]
Apply for absentee or vote by early mail ballot by mail/online (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must be Received by Oct. 25
National Voter Registration Day
Deliver ballot in person (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must be delivered by close of polls on Nov 4 to your poll site or BOE
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 […]
Deliver ballot by mail (GENERAL ELECTION)
Must be Postmarked by Nov. 4; Must be Received by Nov. 12
LWVNYS- New York State Convention 2025
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
Get Involved
Become a member
Join the League and start making a difference in your community today.
Take Action
Follow legislation with the League and take action on the issues you care about.
Stay in the Loop
Click the buttons below to sign up and receive our newsletters and email blasts.
Support Our Work
Donate to support our educational initiatives and advocacy efforts.
Who represents you?
Find a local League
Local Leagues, along with State Senate, State Assembly, and U.S. House of Representatives districts
News
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 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
October State Voter
Democracy thrives when every voice is heard and every vote counts. Together, we stand as protectors of that promise, uniting each month to champion fairness, strengthen participation, and defend the […]
Take Action
The ERIC bill and the MAID bill have been passed in the NYS Assembly and Senate! Now is the time for Governor Hochul to sign both bills so they can […]
LWVNYS Featured on North Country Matters
On September 17th, Executive Director of League of Women Voters NYS, Erica Smitka sat with host Donna Seymour for an episode of North Country Matters. During the episode the two […]
Election Day Social Media Toolkit
In an effort to prepare our Local Leagues for the rapidly approaching election season, League of Women Voters NYS has developed a social media toolkit to prepare voters for the […]
Take a Deep Breath: It’s Status Quo
The VS Committee and the LWVNY Board have confirmed that the current LWVNY Empty Chair policy will remain in effect without alteration as adopted in 1971. This decision was not […]
Voter Service Survey
We accomplished quite a bit across the state, and we are proud of everyone’s dedication to the League. While the Survey’s window of time started after the general election, local […]
State Leaders Message
LWVNYS and LWVUS are actively responding to last week’s deeply concerning efforts to undermine the election process, which is constitutionally a state function. We have seen the DOJ request voter […]
League of Women Voters Broome-Tioga Counties
Broome-Tioga participated in voter education/registration activities in two recent naturalization ceremonies. In July they were entertained by the Southern Tier Barbershop Chorus’s renditions of patriotic songs. LWV’s Margaret Goodfellow presented […]
League of Women Voters of the Hamptons Shelter Island
On Tuesday, September 16, National Voter Registration Day, LWVHSINF will be having voter information tables spread out all over the East End of Long Island—in Montauk, East Hampton, Springs, Bridgehampton, […]
Building Power to Restore Ballot Access Behind Bars
On Wednesday, August 6, partners from across the state gathered for the Democracy During Detention Act (DDDA) Convening, a strategy session to strengthen the campaign for S440/A2121. The convening focused […]
State Leaders Message
After a long, hot summer of relaxation and recuperation, it’s time to kick it into high gear. As the fall approaches, so does the general election, it is our responsibility […]
2025 Convention Summary
2025 Convention Summary The League of Women Voters of New York State Biennial Convention took place in Albany, uniting local league delegates under the theme Standing Together, Defending Democracy. Read […]
2023-2024 Annual Report
