Vote Smart: Resources for Upcoming State and Federal Elections

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Photo by Cyrus Crossan on Unsplash

Photo by Cyrus Crossan on Unsplash

With temperatures cooling and the leaves soon to leave their summer green behind, we are once again nearing Election Day. Here at Synchronicity, we continually hope to draw attention to more local elections, because what happens at the state, county, town, hamlet or city level is really important.
Local politicians influence many aspects of our everyday lives and have an ability to react to Long Island’s needs at a granular level. These elected officials live, work and raise their families here, having frequent interactions with local business owners, community leaders and thoughtful citizens. It’s important to know who they are and what they stand for.

Know Your Ballot! Know Your Candidates!

While most LI local elections take place during odd years between national elections, this November, New York State Senate and Assembly races will appear down ballot. All 9 Long Island NYS Senate and 21 Assembly seats will be up for re-election. Those winners will get to vote on issues Long Islanders care for. A third of the US Senate, including a representative for NY and all of the US Congress, are also up for Election.

Ballot Initiatives

Remember to flip your ballot and vote on the proposals!
 
Statewide Ballot Proposal There is one State proposal on the NYS Ballot that you will also be voting on. If passed, the proposition will protect people from discrimination from any “other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state” based on their “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy”.
 
Suffolk County Residents will also vote on Proposition 2, Supported by The Nature Conservancy, (and not to be confused with a 2021 proposal 2), this proposition seeks to extend and revise The Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program and to establish a new Water Quality Restoration Fund paid for by an additional 1/8% Sales And Use Tax.

Key Local Resources

The deadline to register to vote in New York State is 10/26. 
 
Board of Elections
You can find information on how to register, and to receive an absentee ballot at the NYS Board of Elections.
Nassau and Suffolk Counties also each have their own Board of Elections, which contain information specific to each County. 
 
The League of Woman Voters
As stated on their website, “The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization of volunteers working to promote political responsibility through the informed, active  participation of citizens in government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. It does support or oppose legislation after serious study and substantial agreement among its members. Membership is open to men and women, aged 16 and over.”
The Suffolk County LWV is here. Among more local leagues, The Huntington LWV in particular offers a lot of important info and resources on matters that affect all of Suffolk County and beyond. Here is the The Nassau County LWV which is also quite active!
 
Going Local LI
Additionally, Going Local LI has a comprehensive section on their website with information on several races.
 
Meet the Candidates! 
Here’s one opportunity via Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island, NY, to be held October 24th
Know of others? Let us know!

Other Great Ways to Be an Educated Voter

Vote411.org Voter Guide:
Vote411.org is the League of Women Voters online voter guide. You can go there, enter your address and get a personalized ballot and information on polling places and voter registration.
 
Vote Smart:
From their website: “Vote Smart provides free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to all Americans…Started over 30 years ago by Presidents Ford and Carter and other political leaders, Republicans, Democrats and independents alike, each leader knew our democracy depends on Americans having the trusted, factual tools needed to resist deception, manipulation and division based on lies and emotional appeals. Our founding president, Richard Kimball, led this effort from the beginning and united leaders, politicians, educators and others to create this special tool for the American people. From Arizona to Oregon to Massachusetts to Montana to Iowa, Vote Smart has done this work longer than any other unbiased project funded by ordinary citizens.”
On the website you can enter any candidate up and down the ballot and view their: biographical information, professional experience, education, committee assignments and other civic and religious memberships.
 
Ballotpedia: Ballotpedia bills itself as “the digital encyclopedia of American politics, and the nation’s premier resource for unbiased information on elections, politics, and policy.
We provide our readers curated content on all levels of U.S. politics that is relevant, reliable, and available for all. In addition, Ballotpedia’s policy content and assets are a gateway to learning about public policy and an unparalleled resource for clear, comprehensive, and factual information on key policy areas. We are firmly committed to neutrality in all our content.”
 

State Elections Matter

Throughout the 2023-24 session 1220 bills passed the NYS senate and 1094 of them were signed into law. Over the next two years, several hundred more will get put up to a vote. Those victorious this November will make their decisions with personal connections made on the Island in mind. 
 
How they want to combat these issues, however, differs.  We strongly encourage exercising your civil rights by viewing the links above and participating in these elections on or before November 5th by voting, donating and organizing. Then continue to make your voice heard between now and the next election.