We at the League of Women Voters often hear from fellow Suffolk County residents; by phone, via email and in person. With the never-ending media cycle reporting news, but also spreading misinformation and partial information, it’s difficult for responsible voters to sort through it all and prepare to vote. The issues range: What branch and level of government has election authority? Who maintains and updates voter files/data bases? Who controls the voter registration process and verification? Who determines how voting occurs (such as types of voting machines, early voting, absentee voting, mail-in voting)? Who protects voters at the polling places? Who counts the ballots? What are the rules for poll-watchers? We will devote this column, and subsequent ones, to explaining and clarifying these issues and concerns, and help navigate the deluge of confusing, misleading and incomplete information that we’re all experiencing daily.

Please remember that the President has no explicit constitutional authority over elections, and if a president signs executive orders to exert such authority, as has happened this year, lawsuits are immediately filed. These argue that the Constitution grants no explicit authority to the executive branch regarding elections.  It does dictate that Congress may pass laws overseeing elections, but grants the states broad authority to conduct elections, including the “time, place and manner. 

Voting by mail, in particular, has become a flashpoint from the executive branch. Voting by mail was used by about one in three American voters in the 2024 election. Many of us can recall family members who were frustrated by work or family issues which made them unable to go to the polls on Elections Day, and thus were deprived of casting a ballot. Now (in New York State) we have 9 days of early voting in person, as well as the ability to request an early mail or absentee ballot if needed. Those additional means of making your voice heard via your vote are part of what makes us feel vested in the democratic promise and process in the United States. Any restrictions or roll-backs on these expansions of citizen voting would deprive those with disabilities, illnesses, family responsibilities, work demands, or other burdens  from exercising their Constitutional right to vote. 

The League of Women Voters is receiving even more questions relating to proof of citizenship in registering and casting your vote. As we write this column, the SAVE Act has been introduced in Congress, and would require voters to present documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) - chiefly a passport or original birth certificate - in person when registering and/or voting in a federal election, and anytime they update their voter registration. The League strongly opposes the SAVE Act, since it is already illegal for noncitizens to register and vote in federal or state elections. Ten years ago Kansas passed a law requiring a passport, birth certificate of other proof of citizenship to register, but it was struck down after a court found around 31,000 eligible voters had been blocked from voting. Eight in ten  married women have changed their surnames, thus don’t possess a birth certificate that matches their current legal name and therefore could not present it as valid proof of citizenship (an estimated 69 million American women would be affected). Rural voters, working-class voters, voters of color and older Americans are less likely to hold a passport or readily accessible birth certificate. Families who have been impacted by natural disasters may have lost original documentation. To express your concerns with the SAVE Act, contact your member of Congress (In CD1, Nick LaLota 631 289-1097 lalota.house.gov)

Educate yourself by expanding your sources of information, in particular, regularly visit the New York State Board of Elections website - elections.ny.gov - as well as the Suffolk County Board of Elections site - suffolkvotes.com. The boards of election are bipartisan; they have equal representation from Democratic and Republican party members, and work together to ensure fair elections.

New York State’s Primary Election day is June 23, 2026, with Early Voting from June 13 through June 21. You must have been registered in a party on or before February 14, 2026 in order to vote in that party’s primary elections in your district. It’s always a good idea to check your voter registration status on the NYS Board of Election website at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/ well in advance of election day to check on your election district and polling place. Closer to the election, visit VOTE411.org for nonpartisan customized voter and candidate information. 

Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county or call 631-862-6860.