League of Women Voters of Saratoga County

Advocacy and Issues

Action AlertFight Back Against Citizens United

Take an essential first step to fight back against Citizens United and the deregulation of the campaign finance system.

Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYPrimary Date, Redistricting, Budgets and Reproductive Choice: A Busy Week

Capitol Beat blog by Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director of the League of Women Voters of New York, on Jan. 27, 2012

Breaking Good News

Federal Judge Gary Sharpe has just issued (Friday afternoon) a decision on the non-Presidential federal primary date for New York State. Judge Sharpe has set June 26, 2012, as the date for the Congressional primary. This is a victory for both the Election Commissioners' Association and good government groups, including the League. More ...


Pat Nugent, President of LWV Saratoga CountyProtecting Our Right to Vote

By Patricia Nugent, President of the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County

How precious is our right to vote in a democracy! Our organization is founded on the fact that female citizens were once denied the right to vote. Our brave soldiers have fought and died to ensure the right to vote in other countries. Yet as many as five million US citizens have recently lost their right to vote as a result of legislation being passed in more than 20 states, with several more on the verge of passing similar restrictions. In particular, the elderly, minorities, and youth are being disenfranchised. This is the greatest threat to voting rights in our lifetime. And it is a concerted effort to sway election results. More...

2012 Legislative Agenda

The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates for office. At the same time, the League works to influence policy and promote good government through advocacy and grassroots action. The legislative agenda of the League is arrived at through consensus after a thorough study of the issues. Our legislative priorities are reflected in the 2012 Legislative Agenda. Areas of special interest include:

  • Election Reform:  Improve the election processes to extend, encourage and protect voting, including paperless and Election Day registration, better ballot design, improved polling place management/ poll worker training, and measures to ensure the integrity of all ballots.
  • Campaign Finance Reform:  Support lower contribution limits, increased disclosure and public financing. In particular, support stronger and effective campaign finance enforcement with increased civil and criminal penalties for violations.
  • Other Government Positions: Support structural reform to legislative redistricting; support effective ethics enforcement and open and transparent government processes; monitor impact of the property tax cap on localities and schools.
  • Health Care: Support affordable and effective health care for all New Yorkers.
  • Natural Resources: Support protection and management of New York's natural resources in the public interest.
  • Other League Positions: The League also has positions on the Judiciary, State Finances, and Social Policy under which we can and do take action

Make a Difference!

Become involved in making sure our election system counts every vote.  Help support electoral integrity for the upcoming elections:
  • The League of Women Voters of New York has a Legislative Action Center that helps you contact your elected officials, send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or sign up for action alerts on important good government issues.
  •  Check your voter registration. If you are already registered, you can look up your voter registration and find your polling place on the New York State Board of Elections website or call the Saratoga County Board of Elections at 885-2249.
  •  Become a poll worker or poll watcher to help monitor elections.
  • Join the League of Women Voters.
  •  Become Informed about what’s going on with our election system
    •  League of Women Voters - National and New York State
    •  VOTE411.org - The League’s nonpartisan resource for election and voting information.
    •  Project VoteSmart - Nonpartisan citizens’ organization provides candidate's voting records, campaign finances, performance evaluations by more than 200 liberal and conservative special interest organizations, biographical backgrounds, issue positions and public comments. View the website or contact student researchers on their hotline (1-888-VOTE SMART).
    •  Factcheck.org - Nonpartisan site checks the accuracy of political ads and allegations.
    •  Federal Election Commission - Official site of the government agency that regulates campaign finance.

Local League Positions

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County has studied a number of local issues, and by consensus has adopted positions on the following issues:

These positions are PDF documents, and require Adobe Reader to view. Click here to download a free version of the Adobe software.

For a brief description of how Saratoga County is governed, read Saratoga County Government Fundamentals

Legislative Action Center

The League of Women Voters encourages the active and informed participation of citizens in their government. Use the League's Legislative Action Center to contact your elected officials, or to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Support League issues with just a few clicks of your mouse or take a moment to craft a letter of your own. Sign up for action alerts on the issues that are important to you. Make your voice heard and make a difference!