Black Lives Matter

Diversity – Equity – Inclusion

June 8, 2020

It was energizing and inspiring to be a part of Sunday’s March and Protest Against Police Brutality and Racism in Saratoga Springs. This event was organized by an ad hoc group of young people, who were initially expecting about 50 people to show up, and planned to march on the sidewalk. When it became evident that the crowd would be much bigger the Saratoga Springs Police Department blocked vehicle traffic from Broadway to allow marchers to fill the entire street as they marched from High Rock to Congress Park. Lots of League members were among the 1,000 people who turned out to call for an end to racism. See the pictures from this march on June 7th and from an earlier rally on June 3rd.

The Saratoga Springs police were friendly and supportive of the marchers, but that doesn’t invalidate the negative experiences people of color have had with police and the justice system on all levels – or the immediate impetus for the protest: the death of George Floyd.

What is the League doing about racism? At the last LWVUS convention (Chicago, 2018) we adopted a plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and we are now training members of local leagues to be D.E.I. representatives. Lori Dawson is taking the training and will be helping our League to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive. LWVNY is calling for changes in 50-a of the Freedom Of Information Law, which shields police misconduct from public knowledge. Locally, we are trying to become more aware of systemic racism and our own unthinking actions that perpetuate bias, collaborating with other community groups working on these issues – and showing up and speaking out. We are working to have a membership that is as diverse as Saratoga County.

Barbara Thomas

LWVUS Responds to Police Killing of George Floyd

5/29/2020

WASHINGTON – The League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following statement in reference to the murder of George Floyd:

"The League of Women Voters grieves the murders of George Floyd and the countless other Black lives that have been tragically taken at the hands of rogue law enforcement officers who are rarely held fully accountable for their actions.

"We also mourn those who have lost their lives or been harmed, mentally or physically, as a result of America’s pervasive culture of anti-blackness. The systems of oppression that have perpetuated the myth of white supremacy in our country must be dismantled if we are ever to become the nation we pledge to be—indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

"As an organization whose mission is to empower voters and defend democracy, we stand in solidarity with all Black communities. The League shall do so not only by speaking out against racism in all forms, but by doing the work required of us to be anti-racist. We are committed to listening to and amplifying Black voices, and educating ourselves and our children on the historic and ongoing systemic racism that plagues this country.

"The League acknowledges, painfully, that America is a nation founded on racism. Therefore, all who live in this country must contribute to and participate in organizations actively working to achieve full liberation and inclusive freedom. We must all advocate for anti-racist policies at every level of government.

"We join the League of Women Voters of Minnesota in calling on law enforcement officials to provide transparency during this investigation, and to seek justice for George Floyd, his family, and his community.

"Finally, we echo the call of our partners at the NAACP: we must all vote in November – the road to change lies at the ballot box."

Changes in Election Practices

Last year (2019) the Legislature passed a lot of election law reforms, some of which went into effect last Fall, and others that are taking effect for this year’s primary election. And the Governor issued some executive orders that have also changed the way the Board of Elections operates. So these are the changes to be aware of:

Early voting is in effect for every election. Counties must offer at least one early voting site for every 50,000 eligible voters. So last Fall Saratoga County offered 3 sites. But for the upcoming Primary election it will offer only one site because the number of registered Democrats, plus the number of Independence Party voters in Malta, does not exceed 50,000. Early voting for every election begins 10 days before election and continues for 9 days. There is no early voting on the day before Election Day. Early voting for the primary starts on June 13 and continues through June 21 this year.

Consolidated Primaries. The Election Law has combined the Congressional primaries with the primaries for state and local offices on the 4th Tuesday in June. For this year only, due to the Governor’s executive order, the Presidential Primary will also be held on June 23. Polls will be open 6am-9pm statewide. Only voters enrolled in parties holding primaries may vote.

The last day to change your Party registration was February 14, 2020. Previously, people had to change their party registration prior to the fall general election to have it take effect for a primary. Changes made after that date go into effect 7 days after the June primary.

Voting by Absentee Ballot. Due to the Governor’s executive order anyone may apply for an absentee ballot for the primary, checking off temporary illness as the excuse. This is a 2-step process. First you must fill out an application for an absentee ballot. You should have received an application in the mail by now. Fill it out carefully and mail it in using the postage paid envelope provided. Instructions are in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TelBppBjKNY Then you should receive an absentee ballot. Carefully follow the instructions for signing and dating the envelopes the ballot goes in. Then put the ballot in the ballot envelope and use the return envelope provided. The postage is provided (red ink for $.50) even though there is a square saying to place a stamp on the envelope. The square was there before the postage was affixed.

Absentee Ballots ARE all counted, but the counting takes place 7 days following the election. This give time for ballots to arrive and to cross check whether the voter has voted in person. It is legal to change your mind and vote in person, if you wish.

Also, electronic poll books are now in use and 16 & 17 year olds may pre-register to vote, but still can’t vote till they are 18.

Constitutional amendments have had first passage to allow no excuse absentee balloting and same day voter registration. We’ll be continuing to lobby for these things.

Barbara Thomas, Presidential Steering Committee
May 27, 2020

VOTE411.org Wins Webby Award

The League of Women Voters Education Fund announced that VOTE411.org, its one-stop-shop for election information, has been named Best Government & Civil Innovation Website in the 24th Annual Webby People’s Voice Awards (May, 2020).

“We work to make critical election information more accessible to millions of voters every step of the way to the ballot box,” said Virginia Kase, CEO of the League of Women Voters Education Fund. “To win the Webby People’s Voice Award means so much because it is recognition from the public who value our site. This honor helps bring more visibility to VOTE411, a resource every voter can trust for accurate and unbiased information this and every election cycle.”

LWV Saratoga County regularly helps local candidates post information on the VOTE411 website, so that area residents can compare candidates based on their qualifications and their positions on the issues. Beginning May 26 voters can put in their address and find out who is running for School Board or in the June primaries.

Since 2006, VOTE411 has provided registration deadlines and tools, absentee and early voting information, polling place locations, voting hours, candidate information, and more. Late last year, the League of Women Voters launched the newly redesigned VOTE411.org, with the mission to serve every voter in America with critical election information in 2020.

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on primary elections, but it’s never been more important for voters to make sure their voices are heard at the ballot box,” said Jeanette Senecal, Senior Director of Mission Impact for the League of Women Voters Education Fund. “In this critical election year, VOTE411 is expected to reach one in five people in the United States before November 3. This award is a testament to the time and dedication our League volunteers around the country put into making sure voters have accurate election information.”

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.

“VOTE411 has set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said Claire Graves, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. “This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

5/21/20 Update: VOTE411’s 5-word Webby Award acceptance speech: America wins when everyone votes

Sunlight Is the Best Disinfectant

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant,”

said Louis Brandeis way back in 1913 and it is still generally true today. While soap and alcohol might be more quickly effective against the corona virus there is nothing like shinning a light on the workings of government and corporations to improve performance.

Members of Saratoga County’s government got caught in a scheme to pay time and a half pay to some employees, administrators and (maybe) supervisors for showing up during the pandemic to work their non-overtime hours. When the press and the public heard about it and expressed their dismay the county government decided to take back the pay. Further information shows that many Supervisors were unaware of the initial decision, and didn’t have a say in the follow-up decision - and those party to the decision hadn’t followed established procedures – or at least can’t explain when they did what.

That’s what happens when there is little effort to follow the spirit of the Open Meetings Law! While Saratoga County follows the letter of the Open Meetings Law there is no real effort to actually let the public follow what is going on. Agendas are seldom available even 24 hours in advance of a meeting, and when you pick up an agenda at a meeting it is a list of resolution numbers with the briefest of descriptions.

During the regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors many supervisors don’t speak into their microphones, and the chair doesn’t call on Supervisors by name, so the public is hard pressed to follow what is going on.

Since the pandemic things have actually improved for the public wanting to observe a meeting because the supervisors are calling in to a conference call number and have to identify themselves before they speak or their colleagues and the transcript won’t know who they are. And the public has been provided with a listen in number so that they can hear what is going on without having to drive to Ballston Spa during the afternoon (which during normal times keeps the working public from attending).

The League has for many years called on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors to provide a live video broadcast of their meetings. The City of Saratoga Springs has been providing real time video access to their meetings for many years – through both Republican and Democratic administrations – the County should follow their example!

Come to the Meetup: Saratoga County Government – Is It Working? To learn more about the way our county government operates. That’s on May 20th via Zoom.

Barb Thomas
May 11, 2020