Our mission is to assist voters in getting facts, discussing the pros and cons of an issue, coming to a consensus or agreement on important issues, while informing and educating citizens in our community.  It was that way in 1955 and over fifty years later, the Schuyler County League remains committed to the belief that "An informed vote, is an intelligent vote".   

History:
In the spring of 1955, a group of thirty women in Schuyler County gathered to hear a field representative from the New York State League of Women Voters explain the process in forming a League here in Schuyler County.  When the representatives finished, interest was high, and so the task of organizing our League began.

The League of Women Voters was formed by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920, during the convention of the National Women Suffrage Association, just six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution would grant the 20 million American women of that time the right to vote.  Prior to getting the privilege to vote, women often had little information on important issues affecting their lives.  The League gave women the opportunity to study government on the local, state and national levels in the belief that all citizens should have the opportunity to play an informed and critical role in advocacy as voting members of their democracy.  

Here in Schuyler County we wanted to organize our League as a county league because our community includes several small villages as well as many rural areas.  The State League gave their permission and we were off and running!  Our new league had a two-year provisional status during which we were required to do a "Know Your County" study.  The final product was published as a booklet and distributed throughout our area.  It has since been revised and updated periodically.    

Perhaps the most important hallmark of the League here in Schuyler County, as well as at every LWV level, is that the League is non-partisan.  Members study all kinds of political and social issues and upon completion, achieve consensus about whether to officially sanction and issues with League of Women Voters support.  However, the League never makes judgments on candidates or those in office.  Anyone from any political party, or those not committed to a party, may join!  And in spite of our name, we welcome MALES to our membership, and currently we have active men in our local League.  There are about nine or ten programs a year on a variety of topics.  Some of the topics presented during the 2007-08 year have included Schuyler County transportation issues, domestic violence, and immigration issues.  Perhaps our most popular and information meeting is the annual "Meet the Candidates" forum, a meeting that is open to the public, and is held in the Fall, prior to elections.  It is our and YOUR opportunity to hear all of the candidates running for office, including the incumbents, at one time and in one place!