The League of Women Voters Creates SmartVoters

– By Steve Meyers –

When Election Day approaches, do you know who your candidates are? Do you need information on a candidate's positions or background? Do you know how to register or obtain an absentee ballot? Do you know where to vote?

The League of Women Voters brings answers to these and other questions directly to voters' computer desktops by way of its SmartVoter.org website. How the website works and benefits both voters and candidates was described by Rye resident Anne Cochran, co-President of the League of Women Voters of Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester, at the local League's March 29 meeting at the Damiano Center.

According to Cochran, the League offers all candidates free webpages on its SmartVoter website, which in turn serves as an educational resource for voters.

“You need only input your street address and zip code to get a personalized ballot for the upcoming election. You will see all of the races and issues you will be asked to vote on at the polling booth,” Cochran said. “By clicking on a candidate's name, you can view his or her top priorities and positions, background and key endorsements.”

Consistent with the League's non-partisan approach, the sequencing of candidate's names for a given office on the SmartVoter webpage is not static. Names are randomly ordered each time the page is regenerated.

All candidates can voluntarily use the website on a password protected basis to offer information on their candidacies to voters and to answer specific questions posed by the League. Candidates can also post pictures and provide a link to their individual candidate websites. The League coordinates with County Boards of Elections to provide the certified candidates names, any ballot referenda and polling place locator data.

Broader uses of SmartVoter are envisioned. Cochran sees it as a potential vehicle to show Candidate Forum debates through links to YouTube or similar streaming video formats. She also hopes that the League can work with the schools to educate children on SmartVoter and the voting process. “It would be great if our children learn more about civic and voter responsibilities and serve as ambassadors to their parents on how to use the SmartVoter.org website,” said Cochran.

The writer is Assistant Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester.