Positions

Current League Positions

• Federal: LWV US Impact on Issues 2024-2026

• State: LWV New York Impact on Issues 2024

• Local (LWV Saratoga County):

  • Emergency Services

  • Local Governance

  • The Roles, Responsibilities and Oversight of Saratoga County’s Economic Development.
    Note: On 12/7/23, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, 3rd Department, ruled that the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation is a local authority subject to the Public Authorities Law, including oversight and transparency requirements.

Local League Studies

Members Adopted a new local study at the Annual Meeting in June. PDF linked here

LWVSC Study:
What type of County Legislative Body would best represent the people of Saratoga County?

Study presentation November 20 on Zoom. Click here for Event listing.

State League Studies

The League’s study process is the way we develop positions on issues. Our recent state studies consensus results were announced at the State Convention June 20-22.

Both the Rank Choice Voting and Primary Systems statement of that study were approved and are now part of the LWVNYS positions on Election Law. 

Rank Choice Voting

• The League of Women Voters of New York State supports the use of ranked-choice voting (a.k.a., instant runoff voting), in primary, general and/or special elections to elect federal, state and/or local officials. 

• With the adoption of any electoral system, the League believes that education of the voting public is important, and funding for startup and voter education should be allocated. 

Primary Systems 

• The League of Women Voters of New York State supports changing from a closed partisan primary system to a primary system, including a nonpartisan primary system, that allows all registered voters to participate, regardless of party affiliation or lack thereof. 

• We support the use of nonpartisan primaries to elect federal, state, and local officials. 

For the Voting Systems Approval Process study, the first statement was approved, and the second statement did not reach the required 2/3 level of approval. 

Voting Systems Approval Proces

The League of Women Voters of New York State believes that a more transparent and open voting systems approval process would improve voter understanding of, and confidence in, our elections. 

• Support for greater transparency and public input in the approval process, including increased demonstrations open to the public, followed by a comment period. 

• Public demonstrations should be scheduled to provide public input earlier in the certification process. 

National League Studies

Federal Judiciary consensus reached

The League of Women Voters National Board announces the adoption of the new League position on the Federal Judiciary.

Member participation in studies matters!

Study Consensus process

The League chooses issues at the federal, state and local levels for its members to study. Through its consensus/concurrence process, the League examines all aspects of a selected subject and tries to reach agreement on which to base a position. The League's reputation for fairness rests on its practice of thorough and impartial study. Members discuss the issues; pros and cons are researched; and everyone has an opportunity to express an opinion. Once the League has a position on an issue, material is published to promote that position, always ensuring the distinction between League action on specific issues and the League’s nonpartisan voter information.