Every four years, the whole country holds its breath for a president. But the people who decide whether your rent goes up, whether your kid’s school gets funded, whether your block gets policed or protected — they’re on this ballot, November 3. Governor. State legislators. Every single county legislator. Town supervisors. Judges. Most of us can’t name half of them, and that’s exactly how power likes it. So Black Westchester did the homework. Every race, every candidate, in one place — because an informed voter is a dangerous voter, and our communities have never had the luxury of sitting one out.
Before you scroll to the races, here’s something just as important: there are still five candidate forums left where you can hear these people in their own words, unfiltered. If you live in any of these districts, get there — in person or online — and listen before you vote. An informed decision at the ballot box starts with hearing what comes out of a candidate’s mouth when they can’t hide behind a mailer.
Tonight — Thu Oct 15, 7:00-8:30 pm
NYS Assembly District 95: Dana Levenberg (D) vs. Laurie Ryan (R). In person at the Croton Free Library. League of Women Voters of Northwest Westchester.
Wed Oct 21, 7:00-8:30 pm
NYS Senate District 40: Pete Harckham (D) vs Sergio Esposito (R). In person at the Peekskill Firehouse Community Room. LWV Northwest Westchester.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns is sponsoring a candidate forum for the Mt. Pleasant Town Supervisor. The candidates are Thomas Abinanti and Carl Fulgenzi. The forum can be viewed live by pre-registering at https://bit.ly/3TKQmGx. Questions must be submitted ahead of time either at registration or by email to info@lwv-rivertowns.org. The deadline for submission of questions is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20. Questions will be reviewed by a committee of League members who will submit them to the moderator prior to the start of the forum. Abinanti is running on the Democratic Party line. Fulgenzi is the incumbent, and he is a Republican. The event will be recorded and made available following the forum on the Rivertowns YouTube channel, LWV Rivertowns, and website www.lwv-rivertowns.org.
Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns has changed the date of a candidate forum for the Westchester County Legislator District 15. The forum will be a Zoom webinar on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m. The forum can be viewed live by pre-registering at
https://bit.ly/countylegislatordistrict15. The candidates are James Nolan and Kisha Skipper. Nolan is the incumbent. He is running on the
Republican Party line. Skipper is a Democrat.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Greater Peekskill Area Chapter (WBWPC-GPA), presents its annual Candidates’ Forum at the Ford Administration Building, 1031 Elm Street, Peekskill, NY 10566, as part of the Greater Peekskill Area Chapter’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus. The Greater Peekskill Area Chapter is presenting the forum in partnership with the NAACP Peekskill Branch; WBWPC Bedford and Ossining Chapters; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Westchester Alumnae Chapter; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Nu Psi Zeta Chapter; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Chi Omega Chapter; and the Peekskill Area Pastors Association.
A few notes: the District 9 County Legislator forum was cancelled yesterday (a candidate is ill), and the League isn’t doing a County Clerk forum at all — the Republican declined. And the League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns announced that its candidate forum for the Westchester County Legislative District 12 is canceled. The forum was originally scheduled for October 14, 2026. David Imamura, the Democratic candidate and incumbent, agreed to participate. Laurie Duffalo, the Republican, did not. That leaves one candidate for one seat, and therefore an uncontested election.
Also, if you missed the LWV of Westchester Candidate Forum for U.S. Congressional District 16 between candidates Miriam Levitt Flisser (R) and George Latimer (D) — Thursday, October 8, 2026, you can watch the video playback here.
That’s your ballot. From the governor’s mansion to the town hall, every name on it will make decisions that land on your doorstep. The forums are still happening — go hear them for yourself. Early voting runs October 24 through November 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3; polls open 6 am to 9pm. Look up your sample ballot, make your plan, and bring somebody with you. They count on us staying home. Let’s disappoint them.
Note: We will be posting a complete list of Early voting locations, dates, and times before early voting starts
Use the NYS Board of Elections Online Voter Registration portal (NY.Gov ID required) or the downloadable fill-in NYS voter registration form to:
- Register to vote
- Change your name or address on your voter registration
- Become a member of a political party
- Change your party membership (Please note: An application to change one’s party enrollment for the primary election in any year must be received by the board of elections no later than February 14th of that year. Party changes received on or after February 15th will be placed on hold until seven days after the June Primary.)
- Pre-register to vote if you are 16 or 17 years of age
Check your voter registration status at the NYS Board of Elections Voter Lookup Service. For more information, view the NYS Board of Elections Voter Registration Process webpage.
With the confusion swirling around the various attempts to curtail voting rights, the League of Women Voters of Northwest Westchester is providing some clarity to reassure voters.
The ability to vote by mail has not changed. The Supreme Court struck down attempts to have the US Post Office screen mail-in ballots or otherwise slow their delivery. For registered voters to obtain a mail ballot, an application must be received by October 24th by the Board of Elections. To download an application go to the NYS Board of Elections website at elections.ny.gov, or visit the Westchester County Board of elections at 445 Hamilton Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. Registering at the Department of Motor Vehicles is not recommended, as there can be a significant delay in processing.
Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 3rd in order to be counted. The League strongly advises that you obtain your ballot early and return it early. Ask the postal clerk to hand-cancel your ballot. Do not affix extra postage.
The SAVE Act, requiring that a voter present identification at the polls or proof of citizenship when registering, as defined by the bill, has not passed the Senate. First-time voters and voters who have re-registered in a new district will be asked to show a photo ID with their current address when they vote.
The US Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-3 decision that the federal administration can use the expanded federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) Database to check the citizenship status of voters. Existing law blocks most states from “systemically” purging voters within 90 days of an election. At this point, the decision will have no impact on voters in New York State. Our State Board of Elections refused to turn over voter data to be used for this database. The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Elections, which is ongoing.
In summary, as of now there are no changes to the way New Yorkers can vote. Early in-person voting can be done in any of the 25 designated locations which can be found on the Westchester BOE website. Votes cast on election day must be made at the voters designated polling place. Early voting begins on October 24th and goes through November 1. The League recommends that you Early Voting!
The League urges everyone to verify their voter status by going to www.vote411.org or the NY State Board of Elections website. You can also find your polling place and see what races will be on your ballot.
If you are not registered to vote or need to update your information, go to the New York State Board of Elections website. Applications must be received by October 24th.
Remember, your vote is your voice!
The mission of the League of Women Voters and its local affiliates is to empower voters by promoting informed citizen participation in government, and defending democracy. The League is nonpartisan and does not support or oppose candidates or political parties.
