Action and Advocacy

We are truly a grassroots organization...

The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.

Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.

Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.

It is the consensus statement -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.

Find out how our Congressional members have voted:

• First Session - 113th Congress: Recent Votes by Rep. Bill Owens
• First Session - 113th Congress: Recent Votes by NYS Senators

WHAT HAS THE ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BEEN DOING?

• LET: Rally will support women’s equality (May 26, 2013)

• LET: 1199 SEIU UHWE supports women’s equality agenda (May 26, 2013)

• League in the News - Letter to the Editor: Women’s Equality (May 23, 2013)
• New York Women's Equality Ad - "If I Were a Man..."

• September 24: National Voter Registration Day 2013

• North Country Matters: Norwood/NorfolkCentral School Critical Education Issues for the District (April 11, 2013)

• North Country Matters: Pat Brady: Outlines Budget Issues Facing the Potsdam Central School District (April 11, 2013)

• League in the News: Women’s Equality (April 2, 2013)

• North Country Matters: Strategies to Maintain Educational Solvency in Fiscally Challenging Times - an interview with St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES School Superintendent Tom Burns who discusses some short and long term strategies school districts can look at to meet the fiscal challenges facing North Country schools. (March 29, 2013)

• North Country Matters: Superintendent Pat Brady discusses the Financial Situation at Potsdam Central (March 7, 2013)

• North Country Matters: The Human Wrong Campaign (March 7, 2013)

• North Country Matters to broadcast talk with Potsdam school superintendent, followed by talk on human trafficking beginning tonight (March 6, 2013)

• June 1-2: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NYS's 55th Biennial Convention at the Hilton Albany. All members are welcome to join us at Convention! Register here.

• League in the News: North Country groups join New York Women’s Equality Coalition to advance governor’s women’s agenda (March 5, 2013)

• The 10-Point NYS Women’s Equality Agenda: At a time when many state legislatures and governors are moving backwards on equality for women, New York is taking an aggressive and proactive leadership role on women’s issues. Addie Russell, the Chair of the Assembly's Task Force on Women's Issues, discusses the Agenda.

• The 2013 Governor's Education Budget, a discussion with Assemblywoman Addie Russell who talks candidly about the many public schools in New York in danger of falling off the fiscal cliff.

• New York State League of Women Voters calls for election reform (Feb. 3, 2013)

• League in the News: Campuses gear-up voter registration efforts ahead of general election

• League in the News: League of Women Voters Celebrate 92 (Feb. 11, 2012)

• League in the News: Women Voters Make Fracking Statement (Jan. 15, 2012)

• League in the News: St. Lawrence County League of Women Voters expresses concern about proposed state fracking regulations (Jan. 13, 2012)

• COMMENTS ON THE DSGEIS, Horizontal Drilling and High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing, submitted to the NYS DEC by the LWV-SLC Unit, Jan. 5, 2012

• During elections in fall 2010 and 2011 the LWV partnered with AAUW-St. Lawrence County and the Center for Excellence in Communication at Clarkson University to provide Conversations With Candidates - information about candidates and issues on the ballot. Click on "The League in the News" for more detail about the activities leading up to the election.

• Hydrofracking:

  On November 15 and 16, ythe SLC LWV, with a number of community partners brought a national speaker on hydrofracking, Deborah Rogers, to SLC to give a major presentation the evening of Nov. 15, as well as meeting with several college classes. A digital version of her evening presentation is available on YouTube.

• Check out ShaleShock Media.org for further information, including the movie "Gasland."

Among the League’s Advocacy Areas for the 2012 Legislative Agenda

Based on the responses we had from local leagues with suggestions for the 2012 legislative agenda, and consideration of both resources and legislative opportunities for the next year, the Board adopted the following as the League's 2012 Legislative Agenda.

Steps To A Better New York (2012 LWVNYS Legislative Agenda)

Election Reform

Improve 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

Last revised: May 26, 2013