At the League’s 2023 Convention members voted to conduct two studies. One on the approval process of New York State’s voting systems and the other on rank choice voting and open primaries. The Board appointed two Study Committees that assembled appropriate background materials and drafted a Statement of Position. The Statement may be divided into two or more segments for approval. This information has been posted below and is available to all local Leagues and League members.
Group discussion is an essential part of the study process. Discussion may be conducted by local Leagues, the State, or by a group of members. Conversations may be in person, by telephone or by other electronic means. Local Leagues are encouraged to hold a public event on the issue as part of the Study process. Rather than participation in discussion sponsored by their local Leagues, individual members may participate in online group discussions sponsored by the state or a group discussion by members of local Leagues opting out of the Study. The state will hold two statewide webinars for those interested in March and in April (more information to come).
Member Agreement will be determined by the LWVNYS Board after consideration of responses from local Leagues using the same standards for geographic distribution for participating local Leagues as is currently used and the same 2/3 standard for approval. Responses of both individual members and local Leagues will be considered, with responses from local Leagues being weighted by the number of members participating in that League’s meeting. For example, a local League with 16 participating members will get 1.5 times 16 or 24 units. Each individual responding as an individual will count as 1 unit. This weighted counting is intended to encourage local League participation in the process.