The Voter. Published by the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, NY. LWVRC to sponsor public forum on the November ballot proposals

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1 The Voter September 2013 Published by the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, NY LWVRC to sponsor public forum on the November ballot proposals Public Forum on the Casino Gambling Proposal on the Ballot in the November 5 th General Election Wednesday, October 2, at 7 pm St. John s Episcopal Church, 146 First Street (corner of First and Liberty), Troy Speaking in favor of the proposal will be Ken Pokalsky, Vice President of Government Affairs for the New York State Business Council. Speaking against it will be Robb Smith and Demi McGuire of the Coalition Against Gambling in New York State. ALL ARE WELCOME!

2 Coming Up Saturday, September 28: The League will have a table at the upcoming TRIP GREEN FAIR Saturday 9/28 from 9-2PM at the Green Island Bridge Parking Lot in Troy. We will distribute traditional voter information as well as information and blue bins related to Troy's recycling program. See details about the Green Fair at triponline.org/greenfair. This is an opportunity to bring items for recycling as well as learn more about a variety of environmental protection initiatives in our area. Dear Member: From the Co-President When we go to the polls on November 5th, we will have SIX different proposed amendments to the New York State Constitution to consider more than there have been in many years. Probably the one that s received the most media attention is the proposal by the Legislature to establish seven state-sponsored casino gambling sites throughout New York State. Proponents feel that the sites will bring jobs and a boost to the economy of areas that desperately need it; opponents argue that the state should not be in the business of enabling an activity which is problematic for so many people. You can hear both sides of this issue and make up your own mind at our fall membership meeting on October 2nd. Ken Pokalsky of the New York State Business Council will speak for the pro side; Robb Smith and Demi McGuire of the Coalition Against Gambling in New York State (CAGNYS) will present the case against it. This is also a public forum, so bring your friends and neighbors. It promises to be a lively evening! We ll also have copies of the LWVNYS Voter Guide, part 2, which explains the pros and cons of ALL the ballot proposals, available to take home. And speaking of the general election, the League will once again be doing election night reporting for the local media consortium. This is an opportunity to see democracy in action! It s also very satisfying to watch the election returns on television and to know that you were part of the percentage of precincts reporting. If you haven t yet volunteered to be a reporter, contact Steve Muller (smuller1@nycap.rr.com ) or Joyce Diwan (diwanj@rpi.edu) to sign up. We ll be at the Troy Farmers Market on October 5th and on November 2nd, hoping to raise awareness of the voter registration deadline (October 11th) and of the election itself. If you re at the Market those days, stop by and say hello! Enjoy these beautiful fall days! See you on October 2nd! Sincerely, Chris Salmon Co-President

3 LOCAL NEWS League members Lorrie Smith and Chris Salmon registered RPI students at a Community Fair at the RPI Student Union August 28. Member Joyce Diwan was also in attendance and reports: Voter Registration Outreach at RPI. LWV of Rensselaer County participated in the Off Campus Housing Fair at RPI on August 28. Chris Salmon, Joyce Diwan, and Lorrie Smith stood in the hot sun for hours while cheerfully interacting with large numbers of RPI students. Advice and literature relating to voter registration were provided. League members also staffed tables at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on August 17 and September 21. Early Fall is prime time for voter registration activities.

4 League of Women Voters Conducts Library Votes September 5. League members Mary and Steve Muller, Chris Salmon, Judy Meyer, Diane bell, John Sniezyk, Mary Abbott and Margaret Story facilitated the first vote using paper ballots at the East Greenbush Community Library. The Troy Public Library asked us to again conduct their vote on September 24 at the Main library and Lansinburgh Branch. League members Terry and George O'Connor, Chris Salmon, John Sniezyk, Joyce Neary, Joyce Diwan, Jill Nagy, Fred Stein, Gerry Grasso, Judy Meyer, Mary Abbott, Gail DeMarco, Joyce Chupka and Margaret Story welcomed voters, checked Voter Registration lists, handed out ballots and at the end of the evening counted ballots. Facebook Page Launch Stay tuned for the launch of the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County Facebook page in the next week. Judy Meyer plans to get it up and running in time to post the League participation in the Troy Green Fair Sat 9/28 and the League Public Forum on the Casino Gambling Proposal Wed 10/2. Facebook pages are greatly enhanced by pictures. If you have pictures of the League in action please forward them to Judy - jdymyr@yahoo.com Attention The last day to register in person to vote on November 5 is October 11, The date in Facts for Voters I is incorrect. If you have copies of that publication, please correct the date before giving them out Calendar Sept. 25, 2013 Sept. 24, 2013 Oct. 2, 2013 Oct. 11, 2013 Oct. 17, 2013 Oct. 21, 2013 September Voter comes out Troy Public Library Vote Public Forum on Casino Amendment Last day to register in person for November general election. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 11 and received by Oct. 16. Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Krause Center Deadline for October Voter Oct. 23, 2013 October Voter comes out

5 Nov. 4, 2013 Last day to apply in-person for an absentee ballot. Mailed-in requests must be postmarked by Oct. 29. Nov. 5, 2013 Election Day. Also, last day to deliver absentee ballots in person. Mailed-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and received by Nov. 12. STATE NEWS LWVNYS Legislative Director Barbara Bartoletti Appointed Special Advisor to Moreland Commission (7/2/2013) Governor Cuomo announced the creation of the Moreland Commission today and with the appointments to the Commission, he also appointed 4 special advisors, one of whom is Barbara Bartoletti. NATIONAL NEWS League submits statement to Presidential Commission on Election Administration The League submitted a statement to the Presidential Commission on Election Administration outlining the five key suggestions the League proposes for improving the polling place experience for voters. These suggestions include Secure Online Voter Registration, Permanent and Portable Statewide Voter Registration, Expanded Early Voting, Improved Polling Place Management and Electronic Streamlining. The League believes these five important steps would accomplish major improvements in election administration that would let voters know that they are the central actors in our nation s democratic system, just as customers are central to any business enterprise. League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County info@lwvrc.org