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Buffalo City Council Candidate Forum

  • Date: June 6, 2023
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Place: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo

There are five contested races in this year’s primary for the Buffalo City Council with 11 candidates total. The League and PUSH Buffalo are co-sponsoring a forum on June 6, 2023, at the Central Library from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

The candidates represent all the contested races in this election and are from the Ellicott, Lovejoy, Masten, North, and University Districts and all are seeking election as members of the Democratic Party. Each district contest is considered a separate race and must have at least two candidates accept the invitation to participate in accordance with League rules.

The League will provide the moderator, timekeeper, and question screener. The event will be live-streamed and available on the League’s YouTube channel in its entirety.

Our own Terri Parks recently talked to WBFO's Buffalo, What's Next? about this candidate forum in particular, and about League Candidate Forum rules in general.

Seeking Safety, Seeking Welcome:
A 21-Day Challenge About Refugees and Their Journeys

This 21-day challenge, presented by the League of Women Voters of Buffalo-Niagara and Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc., will introduce you to local, national, and international aspects of the global refugee crisis, the major humanitarian and national security issue of our time.

Register today and you will receive a daily email with links to videos and readings to explore at your pace starting June 1. The challenge is free and open to the public.

Happy 100th Birthday Lee!

Photo Credit: 2023 LWVBN

Members of LWVBN celebrated the birthday of our beloved member, Lee Tetkowski, who turned 100 this spring!

Members from left to right back row: Lori Robinson, Marian Deutschman , Janet Goodsell, Terri Parks, Judy Huber, Joann Mecca Seated: Lee Tetkowski, Janet Massaro


Call to the LWVBN Annual Meeting

1903 image of a 'Call to Meeting' warrioress with a trumpet

Image Credit: 1903 Suffrage Parade Poster.
Adapted from a Public Domain image from The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America via Flickr.

  • Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
  • Place: Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant 3785 South Park Avenue, Blasdell

The most important League meeting of the year: at the annual meeting, we will vote in new board members, approve our LWVBN budget for 2023-2024, and present League awards. Coffee will be served at 10:00 a.m., the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m., and luncheon will be served at 12:00 noon. Whether you come for the meeting only or for lunch only -- or come for all day -- all are welcome.

For more details and to register, go to the registration page.

Looking to hold a candidate forum? LWVBN can help!

Three candidates sit at a table at an LWV candidate forum

Photo Credit: 2017, League of Women Voters via Flickr.
All rights reserved.

Candidate forums are an integral component of the mission of the League of Women Voters – a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works to educate voters on candidates and issues enabling them to make well-informed decisions.

From school boards and organizations to primary and general elections for local, state and national offices, the League of Women Voters is noted for conducting candidate forums that provide fair and equal opportunities for all candidates for office in a positive and civil manner. The League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara is proud to carry on that tradition for organizations willing to sponsor candidate forums in their community in accordance with League rules.

The League will provide the structure, moderator, timekeeper, and question reviewer for a modest donation of $75. A six- to eight-week lead time is required and we cannot set up any event at the request of candidates or political parties.

Contact the League office at lwvbn@lwvbn.org if you are interested in this service. We will be happy to share our rules and procedures.

2023 Local Elections

Becky Cain, flanked by people dressed up as Mr and Mrs Potatohead, urge us all to vote.

Photo Credit: 1990, League of Women Voters via Flickr.
All rights reserved.

The Erie County Executive, all Erie County and Niagara County Legislators, all Buffalo Common Council members, the Mayor in Niagara Falls and many other local positions are on the ballot this year. See the complete list of Offices to be Elected in Erie County (Excel format) and the Offices to be Elected in Niagara County (PDF format).

Primary Elections

  • Early Voting: June 17-25, 2023
  • Election Day: June 27, 2023
  • Last day to register to vote or to change your address: June 17, 2023
  • Polls open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Erie County and 12 noon to 9 p.m. in Niagara County

General Election

  • Early Voting: October 28-November 5, 2023
  • Election Day: November 7, 2023
  • Last day to register to vote or to change your address: October 28, 2023
  • Polls open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Upcoming LWVB/N Meetings


Some meetings are held in person, many meetings are held remotely. Please use the members calendar to find all upcoming meetings and events and automatically add them to your calendar app.

What's New

June Voter

The LWVBN June Voter newsletter has been posted (05/30/2023)

State League Newsletter

The May 2023 State Voter is online. (05/30/2023)

School Board Candidate Forums

Voters in five school districts voted for candidates for local school board elections on May 16. Candidate forums and information nights were presented with the League of Voters Buffalo-Niagara for: Starpoint Central Schools, Lockport City School District, East Aurora Union Free School District, Williamsville Central School District and Wilson Central School District (both on YouTube).

Outer Harbor Waterfront Must Remain Accessible

Read the opinion piece by LWVBN President Lori Robinson published in the Buffalo News (09/18/2022).

Statement on Buffalo shooting

League Condemns Racist Mass Shooting in Buffalo, NY (05/16/2022)