|
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
|
| Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy |
|
For more information about LWVH, check out our Web site at https://lwvhuntingtonny.org
or send your questions and comments to lwvhuntingtonny@gmail.com
To register for the LWVH E-mail list, click FILL OUT THE FORM
Click here to check out our Facebook Page
Click here to check out our Instagram Page
Table of Contents
-- Message From Our Leadership Team
-- Meeting with County Executive Left Many Questions
-- Reaching Out for New Voters
-- Voter Assistance Ban Overturned for Now
-- Unite & Rise For Voting Rights Film Draws 140 to Cinema
-- Welcome New Members
Click to
|
|
Message From Our Leadership Team
|
| |
In June, Joanna Goerges and I attended the 2026 LWVUS National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, representing LWV Huntington, and it was a fascinating experience. The weekend brought together league delegates from across the country to share strategies, celebrate accomplishments, and chart a course for continued civic engagement. We decided to "divide and conquer," attending separate workshops and then comparing notes, to maximize the experience.
We were reminded that the LWV has engaged in 136 federal lawsuits with a 77% success rate - a remarkable track record that underscores the organization's effectiveness as a legal advocate for voting rights and democratic participation.
A defining message of the convention was a call to embrace the LWV's identity as an activist organization, not solely an educational one. Delegates were reminded that non-partisanship is not the same as neutrality, and that the League must serve as a trusted, principled voice in conflicted times.
A recurring theme across sessions was that democracy is sustained through human connection. Showing up for one another - across communities, coalitions, and conversations - builds the trust that sustains civic life. Social justice and civic engagement were described as inextricably entwined.
Delegates were urged to simplify messaging, focus on issues that matter to their specific communities, and go where people already are, rather than waiting for them to come to us. Listening was emphasized as a core skill for effective outreach.
Joanna and I attended sessions on abolishing the Electoral College, protecting the rights of immigrants, GOTV (Get Out The Vote) strategies, litigation, and partnering with community organizations including the Girl Scouts, among others.
We also had the opportunity to meet with leagues of many different sizes and to share strategies and experiences. It was a wonderful experience, and one we strongly recommend. The national convention is a biennial event, so there won't be another until 2028. However, next year there will be a state convention. Want to attend? Think about it!
At the Convention together. L to R: Erica Smitka, Executive Director League of Women Voters NY; a Member from Mamamorack; Barbara Raisch, co-leader Huntington League; Nancy Rosenthal, President League of Women Voters NY; and Joanna Goerges, Huntington League member.
back to top
|
|
Meeting with the Suffolk County Executive
Left Many Questions
|
| |
by Frances Whittelsey
Issues & Advocacy Committee Member Nancy Holiday joined members of other Suffolk County leagues at a meeting in July with Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine to discuss water quality in the county, a hot topic now as money for sewers and advanced septic systems becomes available.
"He was very welcoming and talked a great deal about his concerns for water quality and other environmental issues," said Nancy Hollliday, who attended the meeting with, among others, Lisa Scott, president of the Suffolk County Inter-League Organization. "We left with many questions unanswered and expect further meetings with his assistant.
Nancy also attended a meeting of the Water Quality Restoration Fund Board of Trustees who play a role in distributing the multi-millions of dollars coming from the increase in the county sales tax dedicated to improving water quality. "There were representatives from municipalities throughout Suffolk talking about the needs of their communities," said Nancy. "It appeared to me that there was a worrisome lack of coordination."
Click here to read Flyer Promotes Grants for Non-Polluting Septic Systems
Nancy also asked the county to create a flyer promoting installation of advanced septic systems. The flyer tells homeowners that up to $45,000 in grants is available to install systems that remove nitrogen from the waste. Nitrogen from old technology cesspools and septic systems enters the ground water and flows into the bays and other water ways around the county, leading to algae blooms that can kill fish and foul the water. This is particularly true for homes along the coasts.
The County has not printed the flyer, so this will be done by the Huntington League and the flyer will be distributed at tabling events.
back to top
|
|
Reaching Out for New Voters |
| |
By Nella Yelenovic
To preserve our democracy, Getting Out the Vote is critical during the months leading up to the pivotal election in November. And our chapter is reaching out beyond our usual events to reach voters at new venues to do just that.
League members turned out for the first time this year at National Night Out events in Brentwood, Huntington and Wyandanch. National Night Out is a nationwide, coordinated annual event on the first Tuesday in August with the goal of improving community relations between police, local organizations and residents. Barbara Kurek led our effort, working with the Suffolk County Police Department.
Earlier this year, the League registered voters at the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Community Health Fair in Amityville. In July, I gave a well-received presentation to AARP Huntington, The Power of (Dis)Information. A request was made by an attendee, the Long Island Chair of the Retired Public Employees Association, to offer a presentation in the future.
As the summer wore on, we conducted a Democracy/Voting/Disinformation presentation to six teens, participants of SEPA Mujer's summer youth program. We have a standing offer from the agency to engage their adult clients once their supportive group program is reinstated. This has dwindled due to fear of ICE's aggressive tactics.
Darleen Reese and I gave a presentation to the 55+ community at Sunrise Village in Sayville, with some commentary by Lynne Maher.
Through a LWVUS initiative, we will join Ben & Jerry's in Huntington for a tabling opportunity at their store. We are working with the Central Islip Library to provide an outreach table.
Other outreach possibilities include assisted living facilities, senior centers, and community centers.
The crew at the Huntington National Night Out. From L-R, Frances Whittelsey, Kerry Hager, Jayette Lansbury, Barbara Raisch and Nella Yelenovic.
back to top
|
|
Voter Assistance Ban Overturned for Now
|
| |
by Frances Whittelsey
The District Court of Maryland has temporarily blocked a US Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that prevented nonpartisan civic engagement
groups—such as the League of Women Voters-- from registering new US citizens to
vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies. The Court’s preliminary injunction
prevents the new rule from going into effect while the case is litigated.
The rule — which was issued abruptly in August 2025 and without factual basis —has
been stopped for now by a lawsuit filed by Campaign Legal Center on behalf of the
League of Women Voters (LWV) and a number of state and local Leagues. Now, civic
engagement groups can continue the important work of educating and registering
new Americans at administrative naturalization ceremonies — a longstanding
tradition that encourages participation in the political process.
“When people become American citizens, they should be welcomed into full
participation in civic life, not met with new barriers,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the
League of Women Voters. “For generations, the League has stood beside new
citizens as they take the oath of citizenship and prepare to make their voices heard at
the ballot box. Today’s ruling protects that fundamental democratic principle, and we
will continue fighting to ensure every eligible voter can participate freely and fully in our Democracy."
Click here to read more > >
back to top
|
|
Unite & Rise For Voting Rights Film
Draws 140 to Cinema
|
| |
By Elise Antonelli
Our event for the National League Unite & Rise action day on Aug. 8 at the Cinema Arts Centre featured the film, Join or Die, about the importance of building social capital. It featured prominent Harvard professor, author, and spokesperson on civic engagement,
Robert Putnam. The film was followed by a panel of community advocates and activists
representing the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Communities Not Cages, Housing
Help Inc., NAACP, Health Education Project of SEIU/1099 Health Care Workers Union,
Planned Parenthood, and SEPA Mujer Inc.
As moderator representing the League, I led the panel in a discussion about how their
organizations build social capital and, tying into our Unite and Rise initiative, how we
can work together to overcome objections to voting among the populations they serve.
After the panel discussion, we adjourned into a separate cafe area for tabling by these
and other community organizations, including the League. About 10 days following the
event, a summary of the panel discussion, including action items people can take to
overcome objections to voting, was sent to League members and attendees.
We had 140 attendees to the event. The community tabling area was buzzing with
conversations as attendees and panelists exchanged information, asked and answered
questions, and explored new possibilities for working together. Fifteen people completed
information sheets requesting further information about the League. The comments
from both attendees and panelists were unanimously positive.
Among the noteworthy thoughts from the film were these:
- We have lost the concept of general reciprocity - the expectation that our
community will do for each other
- Leadership in local organizations is the training ground for democracy
- Communities don't work as well when people aren't talking
- Your chance of dying decreases when you belong to something
- It is not accidental that the individual has been elevated in our society over civic
engagement. This has been happening since the 1990s. (The result being that
by separating us from others, our bonds to community are weakened and we are
more vulnerable to brainwashing.)
- Power through organization
- American democracy is only as strong as what people are willing to give to it.
- Just do something small. It all counts.
A panel discussion followed the showing of Join or Die at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. The event drew 140 people.
back to top
|
|
Welcome New Members
|
| |
Our membership continues to grow with the addition of five new people: Kathleen Biondi of Islip Terrace; Barbara Festa
of Huntington; Iris Mosher of Stony Brook; Tyler Stegemann of Amityville; and Susan Stricker of Melville. It will take
a long time for any of us to catch up to
Lydia Johnson, whose 50 years as a member was recognized with a certificate from the LWVUS.
Lydia Johnson with her LWVUS 50-year-member certificate.
back to top
|
|
|
|
|
