League of Women Voters Huntington NY

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy

Uncategorized

League of Women Voters Statement on USCIS Policy Restricting Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies

Press Release / Last Updated: September 2, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, released the following statement in response to revised policy guidance from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):    

“For decades, the League of Women Voters has been a trusted partner of both USCIS and federal courts to register new voters at naturalization ceremonies. This work has resulted in hundreds of thousands of new citizens registering to vote with League volunteers across the country. 

“The USCIS decision to bar nonpartisan organizations from providing voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies is an attempt to keep new citizens from accessing their full rights.  

“Naturalization ceremonies are empowering, joyful celebrations of American democracy. When a volunteer meets a newly naturalized citizen with a voter registration form in hand, they provide them with the tools to fully participate in the election franchise. 

“The League has always conducted this work in a proudly nonpartisan manner, with a single goal: to ensure new Americans have a voice in our democracy. Our League volunteers step in where election officials often lack capacity, making sure critical voter registration services reach those who need them most. Across the country, local election officials recognize and deeply value the partnership of their local League in voter registration, which strengthens communities and democracy.  

“By shutting out the League and other civic partners, USCIS is making it harder for new citizens to register to vote, which is yet another intimidation tactic and attack on the immigrant community. Our democracy is stronger with the voices of new citizens. 

“The League of Women Voters remains committed to ensuring every eligible voter can register, cast a ballot, and have their vote counted. Despite this setback, the League of Women Voters will find ways to do this vital work and ensure new citizens can access voter registration. We call on USCIS to reverse this policy.” 

### 

Shoutout to Local Businesses!

/These generous businnesses donated gifts for the Silent Auction that took place at our recent Annual Meeting. Thanks to All!

  • Bead Utopia, by Michelle
  • Sepanski
  • Einsteins Attic
  • Engemann Theater
  • Hengstenberg’s Florist
  • Jackie Shawn Hair Salon
  • Hewelry Collection and More
  • Jones Drug Store
  • La Porta
  • Main Street Optometry
  • The Next
  • The Window Shop
  • Your Yoga Place

/And to local League members for their Gifts

  • Jeri Cohen
  • Deb Cosher and Paul Levitt
  • Judie Gorenstein
  • Jayette Lansburfy
  • Marion Munch
  • Mary and John Perri
  • Nancy Holliday
  • Parker Clay
  • Isabelle Pullis
  • Kay Sato
  • Lizbeth Thalheimer
  • Angie Troici
  • Frances Whiittlesey

Special thanks to Connoisseur Radio and Five Towns College for their ongoing civic participation in creating and airing the LWV Huntington Public Service Announcements for “Get Out the Vote!”

2022 List of Accomplishments LWV Huntington Fall 2022 (September to November 8 th ) 2.5 months!

Voter Service Committee

  • Voter Registrations, Suny Old Westbury, Suffolk County, Community College, any others
  • MTC- in person at Five Towns, and viewed live on You Tube
  • Connoisseur Radio recorded a PSA GOTV from LWV Huntington and has aired it to all of Long Island and Brooklyn. Estimated 1 million people repeatedly heard it since the week after Labor Day.
  • Five Towns recorded an additional PSA GOTV message. This was sent to LWVNY and was distributed to all NYS local Leagues.
  • 2 voter registrations at Farmingdale College
  • 2 voter registrations at Brentwood. 
  • Registered 100’s of new citizens at Naturalization ceremony
  • National voter registration Day events – 2 libraries and Huntington Housing Authority- 300+/- residents received texts or emails with our voter information
  • Through our league phoneline we helped many local residents with their voting questions and issues. 
  • Delivered all our voting information, early voting dates and sites, flyers and a PowerPoint on voting information to all the libraries in the town of Huntington. 

Youth Committee

  • High Schools- Conducted social media contest, two entries,one winner at Brentwood, 7 students participated. All received certificates of Civic Engagement from LWV H
  • Girl Scouts- Conducted a pilot workshop for 9-year olds in North Babylon Troop.
  • Distributed Power Points for Vote 18 and How to Register to Vote to 15 local High Schools

Events Committee

  • Cow Harbor, parade, and tabling, handed out Environment bond issue info, along with other voting information- 1 day
  • Fall Festival- tabling, handed out environmental bond issue, along with other voting information- 2 days
  • Environmental Fair – tabling, and distributed the environmental bond flyers- 1 day
  • Annual Meeting- attended by 32 people, Raised TO COME

Letters and actions outcomes

  • Housing Fee at Town Hall- voted down.
  • Pregnancy Termination Restrictions- removed from town law.
  • Letter to inform electorate about no shows at MTC being used to limit knowledge of candidates’ positions. Published in several local papers

Issues and Advocacy

  • Environmental Bond Issue materials were obtained from the Citizens Campaign for the Environment and The Nature Conservancy. Approximately 1,000 were distributed
  • Participated in two press releases representing the League, one in September and another in October with Citizens Campaign for the Environment
  • Prepared and distributed the Meet the Candidate questions used at the MTC event. Also prepared Federal Level questions that were not used (due to the empty chair rule).
  • Wrote a letter to the Town of Huntington Environmental Open Space and Park Fund Review Advisory Committee (EOSPA) recommending procedural changes to encourage transparency and better communication with the community.
  • Members are working with Town of Huntington officials and committees to encourage composting.
  • Coordinated election information for Vote411.

Social Media
Posted throughout election on Facebook, Instagram & Tik Tok