DISTRICT LEADERS
The Sleepy Hollow Village Democratic Committee is made up of 16 district leaders who represent citizens in each of Sleepy Hollow’s eight voting districts (aka election districts, or EDs.) — EDs 1-7 and 33. New York State election law limits the number of DLs to two leaders per district, though the DL are not required to live in the district they are assigned (they must, however, live in Sleepy Hollow).
DISTRICT LEADER ROLE & DUTIES
District leaders perform the tasks required to get Democratic candidates on the ballot and run successful election campaigns.
First and foremost, they carry nominating petitions for candidates seeking to run for office, beginning at the Village level and including other local, state, and federal candidates (all carried at the same time). Under New York’s election law, a person who wants to run for political office must, in most cases, gather the signatures of a certain percentage of registered voters for their name to appear on the ballot. District leaders go door-to-door in their election districts/neighborhoods to collect these signatures. Any registered Democrat who is a resident of Sleepy Hollow may carry petitions so a DL can and should enlist others to help collect signatures to put candidates on the ballot.
District leaders support Democratic candidates by making phone calls, canvassing (going door-to-door) with candidate teams, distributing campaign literature, writing letters of support in local media, putting out yard signs, and posting on social media. They also promote Democratic voter turnout in all elections and act as a resource for important information about voter registration, poll-site location, as well as information about candidates and news about local government.
District leaders may work as poll watchers on Election Day for the general and primaries to ensure fair elections. They monitor polling places as they open and close to ensure voting machines are functioning properly, legal requirements are adhered to, voters are given correct information for casting their ballots, and interested campaigns get reports of the vote counts.
District leaders represent their districts: they listen to the residents in their EDs to learn which issues matter to voters, and they report back to the Committee to act on these issues when needed.
DLs are invited to attend fundraisers and forums and to volunteer for campaigns of Democratic candidates at the local, state, and federal levels within the election district — well as for candidates in key races outside the district.
District leaders should not expect anything in return for their work. The purpose of being a district leader is ultimately to get more Democrats elected to office.
District leaders also participate in regular Village and Town Democratic Committee meetings to exchange ideas with local elected officials about important issues, vote on candidate endorsements for mayor and village trustee, and endorse town, county, state, and federal Democratic candidates for primary and general elections.
mt pleasant and county committees
Since Sleepy Hollow is part of the Town of Mt. Pleasant, all District Leaders are also part of the Mt. Pleasant Committee, which falls under the Westchester Democratic Committee. As voting members of the Village, Town, and County committees, DLs have a meaningful voice in local issues, including endorsing candidates.
BECOMING A DISTRICT LEADER
We have occasional vacancies in district leader positions. Any resident of Sleepy Hollow who is a registered Democrat can apply to become a district leader. If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend a committee meeting, please e-mail SleepyHollowDems@gmail.com.
*ADAPTED FROM HASTINGS DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE PAGE