Public Invited To Voting Matters Workshop 9/27 In White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Several agencies concerned that New York state consistently ranks as one of the lowest in the nation for voter turnout are holding workshops designed to increase voter participation throughout Westchester County.

"We're thrilled to partner with many local organizations in the Why Voting Matters Collaboration to offer these important civic engagement workshops at this critical time," said Susan Van Dolsen, co-organizer with Westchester for Change. "New York historically has had very low voter turnout. The goal of these workshops is to formulate concrete strategies to reach out to members of the Westchester community who are not regular voters in order to encourage greater participation and engagement."

During the 2016 presidential election, New York had the eighth worst voter turnout in the country, despite having two home state candidates on the top of the ticket, organizers said.

The collaboration involves nonprofit group Civic Engagement Table who, in partnership with Citizen Action of NY, facilitated a voter turnout workshop on Sept. 20 and will hold a second one Thursday.

• WHAT: Voting Matters workshop
• WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 27
• WHERE: 32 Manhattan Ave, White Plains, New York 10607

The goal is to create a common language around voting that will encourage disaffected voters to take actions and build a sense of empowerment within communities in order to increase voter turnout.

“Voting is our most empowering right. Our forum will address why everyone does not exercise this right and how we can build community to encourage people to realize their power is at the polls,” said Diane Torstrup of Westchester for Change.

While there was an uptick in turnout in the recent New York state primary, it’s crucial to keep up the momentum, organizers said.

“Your vote is your voice; speak up and let it be heard. Every vote counts and yours can be the deciding one,” notes Judith Beville, Clerk for the Town of Greenburgh.

"Why Voting Matters workshops are super relevant now - more than ever we need to get across to folks the value of their vote - nothing less than American democracy, civil rights and collective economic well-being depend on it,” says Deb Margoluis, of the White Plains/Greenburgh chapter of the NAACP.

The Why Voting Matters Collaboration includes: Westchester for Change; Judith Beville - Clerk, Town of Greenburgh; ACLU People Power Campaign; NAACP White Plains/Greenburgh; Greenburgh Human Rights Advisory Committee; Indivisible Westchester; Westchester Student Coalition Against Gun Violence. Co-sponsors: Westchester Black & Latino Political Conference; MLK Institute for Nonviolence; WE PERSIST; LHVPN (Lower Hudson Valley Progressive Action Network); WESPAC; Symra Brandon - Civic Engagement Chair - NAACP Yonkers; registerNY; NYCD16-Indivisible; Indivisible Rivertowns; Indivisible Scarsdale; NYCD16 Indivisible.

PHOTO: Sept. 20 Voting Matters workshop/ Westchester for Change