May- June 2026 Bulletin Issue 58
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All LWVAC Members and their guests are invited to our Annual Meeting, a breakfast meeting with speaker Anita Sanchez - the Optimistic Activist - who will talk about "Keeping Optimistic, Informed and Non-partisan" in these highly politicized times. Following her presentation and our recognition of Albany County Students Inside Albany students, we will hold our annual business meeting. Members will vote on the proposed local program and budget for the coming year, as well as on the board of directors and next year’s nominating committee. Please review the proposed local program, budget and nominations, which are summarized and linked below.
Buffet Breakfast: $30/person ($35 non-members or if not logged in as a member).
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LWVAC Members pay lower registration fees by logging in.
| Local Issues and Positions: Making Democracy Work
“The Program of the League of Women Voters of Albany County (LWVAC) consists of (A) those local government issues chosen for concerted study and action at the Annual Meeting and (B) action to implement LWV Principles. Local Program issues are situated within the County of Albany or any municipality or special district within Albany County.”
This year’s Local Program is very similar to last year’s, with one new item: “Convene a study group to determine, over the summer of 2026, LWVAC's position on the method of conducting elections that is currently being proposed by RCV Albany, which may appear on the General Election ballot in November 2026. The group should address the question: should LWVAC support, oppose or be neutral to this RCV Albany petition?”
Members, Please review the proposed Local Program in preparation for the Annual Meeting. | LWVAC 2026-27 Budget
Members, please review the Proposed Budget in preparation for the Annual Meeting. | LWVAC 2026 Board Slate
The Nominating Committee proposes the following for election at the annual meeting. | 2026-2028
Christine Deyss and Joanne Shawhan, Co-presidents
Britt Westergard, Secretary
Peter Shawhan, Director
Pat Maxon, Director
2026-2027 (Completing terms of members who have resigned.)
Kitt Jackson, Director
Nancy Heinzen, Director | | 2027 Nominating Committee Off-Board Members
MaryKate Owens
Jen McCormick
Deb Liebman
Notes: Other members may be nominated as officers or directors at the Annual Meeting if the nominee’s consent has been secured. Continuing board members include treasurer Nick McDonald and directors Lars Dahl, Anne Erling and Wendy Dury-Samson.
| | | Voter Services
102nd NYS Assembly District Primary Candidates Forum. Thursday June 4, 7-9 pm at the Bouck Hall Theater at The State University of New York College at Cobleskill, 106 Suffolk Cir, Cobleskill. Each candidate will have an opportunity to speak and answer questions submitted by constituents. Questions may be submitted at Assembly 102 Questions up until June 1. Presented by the League of Women Voters of Albany County and the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area in advance.
Thank you to our High School Voter Registration Team. It has been a productive and affirming school year for our new and veteran Team members. Here is a rundown of what we have accomplished:
- Voter Registration with members of the Board of Elections at Albany High School, Colonie High School, Academy of the Holy Names, and Tech Valley High School.
- LWVAC Voter Registration Presentations at Voorheesville Open House, Albany Charter School for Girls, Watervliet High School, Berne Knox Westerlo High School, Voorheesville High School.
- Naturalization Ceremonies and Voter Registration hosted at Shaker High School and Voorheesville High School.
- Students Inside Albany Conference local Promotion, selection, and coordination with LWVNYS.
The High School Team Summer Planning Meeting will be Wednesday, July 15, 6-8 pm at the Honest Weight Food Coop Community Room. Join us as we look ahead to an exciting Fall Semester leading to the November Mid Term Elections. Help us inform, educate and empower our youngest voters!
| | Debbie Carriero, Albany
Lisa DeStaso-Jones. Delmar
Ellen Harris, Schenectady
Liliana Jones, Delmar
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| Christine Miles Kelliher, Albany
Therese Marangas, Latham
Christina Meier, Latham |
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| Michael Francis Seider, Cohoes
Laurie Vosburgh, Rhinebeck
Elaine Walllace, Albany |
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| DEI Bookshelf
by Joanne Shawhan
Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder, Cases of the Civil Rights Era by Jerry Mitchell
In this outstanding book, Mississippi journalist Jerry Mitchell describes his successful investigation into four unsolved murder cases of the 1960’s Civil Rights Era which led to convictions many years later. He closes with these inspiring words: “I have found that a true account of a painful past does more good that murky optimism…We must remember to point our compass towards justice. We must remember, then act.” Words to live by, especially these days.
| | | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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