The right to vote should not disappear behind bars

The right to vote should not disappear behind bars

People incarcerated in local jails primarily include those:

• Who could not pay bail

• Who are awaiting trial 

• Who have not been convicted of the charges on which they are being held

• Who have been convicted of a misdemeanor (which does not result in a loss of the right to vote) 

Almost everyone in these circumstances is eligible to vote.  Yet they cannot do so due to procedural barriers and lack of coordination between elections and corrections officials.

The League of Women Voters Saratoga County is partnering with The League of Women Voters of New York to encourage the passage of the Democracy During Detention Act (DDDA).  

Summary: This legislation ensures that all eligible citizens in jails can effectively register and vote, clarifying the role of Boards of Elections in administering voter education, registration, and access to the ballot, in coordination with and cooperation from correction officials. DDDA authorizes poll sites in jails, expands on the bipartisan absentee ballot collection program already in place for other congregate facilities, improves residual voter access and data reporting, maintains security, and provides parity of access to digital tools and safeguards for citizens with disabilities and limited English proficiency. 

You can help!!

Contact Your Legislators

• Ask your State Senator and Assemblymember to support S440A Myrie / A2121A Walker. Urge them to co-sponsor the Democracy During Detention Act.

Share the Information

• Help raise awareness about this bill and the gap it seeks to address. Reach out to community organizations.

Submit a Memo of Support

• If your organization supports voting rights, consider submitting a formal Memo of Support. You will find a template here under additional resources: (DDDA).  

Saratoga Springs Public Safety Candidates

Saratoga Springs Public Safety Candidates Discuss Issues of Concern to Voters

Timothy Coll, Kristen M. Dart, and James A. Montagnino

The League of Women Voters held a virtual Candidate Forum on October 10, 2023 featuring candidates for the office of Commissioner of Public Safety for the City of Saratoga Springs. All three candidates participated, including Timothy Coll, Kristen M. Dart, and James A. Montagnino. Candidates answered questions about conflicts among members of City Council, policing in the City, police response to protests, downtown safety issues near bars, regulation of short-term rentals, pedestrian and bike safety/complete streets, and support of crime victims.

A full recording of the event is available for viewing on the LWVSC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDZfukr9Or0.

Check out press coverage of this event by the local media:

• Daily Gazette: “Three seek Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner position” (10/18/23)

• Times Union: “Saratoga Springs candidates discuss policing, short-term rentals, civility” (10/12/23)

• WAMC Midday Magazine: “Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner candidates met to answer voter questions” (10/12/23)

• Saratogian: “League of Women Voters hosts candidate forum for Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety” (subscription access) (10/11/23)

Your right to vote without intimidation

Patricia Nugent October 31, 2022

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County is reminding registered voters that it is their legal and constitutional right to cast a vote without harassment, interference, or intimidation.

The League has been combating voter suppression efforts and legislation since its inception in 1920. We’ve seen a renewed surge of denied access since 2013 when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was gutted by the Supreme Court. But making it hard for certain citizens to vote has recently devolved into a more dangerous mission: Voter intimidation, especially of more vulnerable populations. Since 2020, there has been a concerted effort by some groups to train poll watchers to disrupt and challenge voting across our nation. Various methods are being employed.

Might you be intimidated if someone with a guard dog on a chain was standing near the ballot box? Or taking your photograph? Or erroneously reporting that you are ineligible to vote for various reasons? This is unacceptable in a democracy, and the LWV will not stand for it. Casting doubt on election integrity is one way to destroy a democracy – it’s dangerous and destructive to erode public confidence in the electoral system. Therefore, any attempts to dissuade voter participation should be reported immediately.

The NYS League of Women Voters is assuring voters that systems are in place in NY to conduct secure, reliable, and fair elections. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the actual incidence of voter fraud in the U.S. ranges from 0.0003 to 0.0025 percent, less than the odds of being struck by lightning.

If you encounter a challenge or interference at the polls, do not leave the site without voting UNLESS you feel physically threatened. The LWV advises that any attempts to dissuade or influence voting should be reported to the Attorney General’s hotline at 866-390-2992. Another hotline available to guide voters and take meaningful action to address problems is the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. They are staffed with well‐trained volunteers and pro bono attorneys from around the country. They also have assistance available in multiple languages. The phone number for the Election Protection Hotline is 1-866-687-8683 (1-866-OUR-VOTE).

Early voting runs for nine days before the election, from October 29 through November 6, at various polling places. Any registered voter can vote at any of those designated sites within their county during this period. On Election Day, voters can only cast a ballot at the polling place in their own election district. For more information about what’s on your ballot, visit www.vote411.org/ballot, funded by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Thank you for being part of our mission to keep our democracy viable and vibrant. These are challenging times, but we are hopeful that reason will win out and our nation will heal.

We Won’t Go Back!

Patricia Nugent August 7, 2022

“I read the news today, oh boy…”

That lyric isn’t the only throwback from the 1960s, when activists were challenging long-
standing social ills, taking to the streets for women’s rights, racial justice, gay rights. When war
was raging overseas and in our streets, when voting rights were denied, when the Klan openly
marched and lynched, and women bled to death in dirty backrooms. When illegal political tricks
were used to impact election results.

Here we are again. Back to the future.

We know you feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Didn’t we right those wrongs? The very reason
the League of Women Voters was founded over 100 years ago is the reason Americans are
marching and protesting today. As a national organization, we continue to be on the front lines
fighting voter suppression and reproductive restrictions. We are a voice for inclusive
democracy, for principles that honor and protect diversity.

The League is more relevant than ever today. There are more than 700 chapters in this country;
ours is one of the strongest, advocating and lobbying for legislation to protect human rights and
promote social justice. We have over 200 members, affording a political-yet-nonpartisan
opportunity to DO something rather than wring our hands as we listen to news reports of the
downturn this country is taking.

We’re distributing buttons that read “We Won’t Go Back!” And we won’t! Stop by one of our
events to get your free button, and wear it with pride and defiance. Please consider inviting a
friend who’s also wondering how to be an effective force for change. The greater our number,
the greater our ability to stand strong against oppression.

Kudos! Congratulations! and Thanks!

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County received many comments this election season. Here is a sampling of the things folks said:

“Thanks to all the voters who exercised their right to vote in a calm, respectful way, and then waited patiently for the results. That shows their faith in democracy.”

“I want to congratulate the LWV. I don’t know the county numbers but nationally, we had historic voter turn-out. Awesome!!!”

“I was so pleased that the violence and intimidation that was forecast, was actually not very evident on election day.”

“Thank you for registering voters, providing valuable information to confused voters. All this during a pandemic, hot days, wind that threatened to take down the tent, and very chilly days.”

“Thanks to all the League members who helped register voters, and gave out accurate information about the technicalities of voting, who compiled the information on Vote411, staffed and organized candidate forums and generally made the voting process better.”

“Thanks to all the poll workers and to our Saratoga County Board of Elections. They did a fantastic job of coping with the early voting turnout.”

“This month, we recognize incredible organizations who uplift the people of this nation with core AoCC [Americans of Conscience Checklist] values: Respect, Heart, Gratitude, Inclusion, Empathy, Truth, and Solidarity. #30DaysofThanks. … Thank you for your commitment to informing and empowers voters through Vote411”