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League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County - NY by Geri DeSeve 272-4637 In statements to the Troy City Council and the Rensselaer County Legislature the League has asked for support in meeting some of these problems. At its April meeting, the City Council was asked to review polling places where voter turnout has been low - particularly the Court House Annex, Public Works Garage and School #1. The League requested access to voting machines for practice by students and new voters., A voting machine is now available outside the City Clerk's office for visitors to City Hall. City Council members were also urged to use their district and neighborhood meetings to encourage citizen participation and knowledge of local issues. officials in the Towns and City of Rensselaer will also be asked to take similar action to motivate their non-voters. League President, Jill Nagy, presented a statement to the County Legislature this month, requesting support or League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, NY "If you are registered, be sure to vote" will be the message from the League of Women Voters during the coming year. The League's Making Democracy Work committee has reported that only 57% of those registered in Rensselaer County went to the polls in November 1997. In Troy it was 50%. The Motor Voter Law has helped increase the County's voter registration by over 10% since it was implemented in 1995. Latest figures indicate that 85% of those eligible (over 18 years old) are now entered it the Board of Elections active and inactive files. The League wants to motivate those who are registered to participate as informed voters. Why don't people vote? At a recent meeting with people from low voting areas, League members learned there are several reasons registered voters might not go to the polls on election day.
In Rensselaer County the percent of registered voters who went to the polls in 1997 was lower than it had been 1995. Even in Legislative District #5, including Berlin, Grafton, Hoosick, Petersburgh, and Poestenkill, which had the highest voter turnout, only 63 percent of registered voters actually voted in 1997. In Grafton, the town with the highest voter turnout, only 69 percent of registered voters went to the polls, according to the League's analysis of registration and voting for the past three general elections. In a year when there were four state-wide ballot issues, three County-wide contests and County legislative races, plus elections for city and town officials, this decreasing interest in voter participation should be a cause for concern, said Nagy. The League is seeking cooperation from the County's Board of Elections to put more information on the notification cards sent to registered voters in August, listing the voters' NYS Senate and Assembly District and Congressional district. Having two Assembly Districts and two Congressional Districts in Rensselaer County is confusing to many voters, according to the League. Citizens receive media campaign messages for several legislative districts and often do not know which apply to them. The League has also requested the Board of Elections to list registration and voting information on the County's website, including lists of candidates and polling sites. The increasing use of computer information by students and library patrons, as well as P.C. users, provides an opportunity to inform new voters that the League wants to reach. Finally the League has urged the Board of Elections to use the training sessions for election inspectors to emphasize their important role in creating a non-threatening atmosphere at the polling place, and to ensure the inspectors knowledge of and responsibility for enforcing the election law for poll watchers and election night reporters. In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
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