League of Women Voters of Albany County (Albany County, N.Y.)

The League of Women Voters of Albany County is a local non-partisan political organization concerned with increasing voter participation and educating citizens on issues of public policy on the local, state, and national level. In line with the New York State and national League of Women Voters LWVAC members, since 1922, have encouraged the informed and active participation of citizens in government, helped to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influenced public policy through education and advocacy. The LWVAC records, however, only begin in 1940; the records generated during the first eighteen years of the organization have been lost. However, recollections from early members found in the organization's history files maintain that in order to take part in the League's stated purpose, members of the LWVAC participated in such things as voter registration drives, monthly meetings, study groups, and a number of committees. The topics of study were either state or national in scope. After 1940, the records of the LWVAC indicate the organization was encouraged to adopt local program items that concerned Albany County. In addition to national topics like foreign policy and environmental quality and state study topics like Universal Health Care and the New York State Constitutional Convention, items the LWVAC studied include the Albany County government, the status of mental health facilities throughout the county, and equity in education in the local schools. The LWVAC continues today to provide voter service to increase citizen participation in government and educate and advocate on local, state, and national public policy issues.