04/18/2026
We're Nonpartisan...period.
It is with deep disappointment that the League of Women Voters of Paterson recently made the decision to withdraw from hosting the Council-at-Large Candidate Forum & Meet-and-Greet on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Since our decision, other organizations followed suit. Here's why:
Our unapologetic nonpartisan position is at the core of our mission. The League can neither support nor oppose candidates for elected office. As candidates replied to the Save the Date email we distributed, at least two expressed their reluctance to participate in our forum. Their stated reason was because leading members of the hosting/partnering organizations associated with our event either personally endorsed, supported, or campaigned with the candidates we sought to invite. We conferred with our League stakeholders on best practices to plan this forum. This revelation stopped our work cold.
Neighbors, we understand fully the right of individuals to support the candidate they choose. As a League, though, we have an obligation to protect the integrity of our nonpartisan mission. As a result, we withdrew our hosting and moderating roles. The timeliness of this decision was weighty. Nevertheless, we soldier on.
We encourage you to support forums hosted by other organizations int he coming weeks. Our hope is that you will inform your vote by getting to know the candidates better and make the best decision for the City of Paterson.
