Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1: Why do we need another organization?
 Why not let the established big national organizations handle the political end?

A: The big national organizations are organized as 501c(3) organization which allows their contributors to make their donations tax-deductible. 501c(3) organizations cannot be involved in electioneering by law. We are not a 501c(3) organization ? nor are we affiliated with any 501c(3) organizations.

Q #2: Why not just organize animal rights supporters to call-office holders whenever there is legislation pending that effects animals?

A: Our experience indicates that lobbying without a voter base in the office-holders? district is less effective (see question #7.)

Q #3: Where does the League operate?

A: At this time we have four chapters in NY State:
1) NY City
2) Long Island
3) Lower Hudson Valley (Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties)
4) Mid Hudson Valley (Dutchess, Putnam, Columbia and Ulster Counties)
We are looking to expand to other areas in NY and possibly adjacent states

Q#4: What has League of Humane Voters accomplished?

A: In Rockland County (the original League chapter) we have:
1)  been instrumental in stopping the annual goose slaughter
2)  have influenced the county legislature pass a ban on all trapping in the county,
3)  have established a county-funded dog-run.
We are now working on diverting county funding from a mismanaged kill shelter to a new no-kill shelter run by animal advocates. In all chapters we are becoming influential in moving legislation that has an impact on animals through the legislative process and to a vote.

Q#5: What is electioneering?

A: Electioneering consists of promoting a candidate for office. ?Electioneering? means getting directly involved in the electoral process and working for (or against) the election of a specific candidate. Activities such as: sending a mailing to a list advocating the election of a candidate, handing out fliers advocating the election of a candidate, collecting money for a candidate, contributing money to a candidate; endorsing a candidate in a newsletter or an e-mail news-group all constitute forms of electioneering

Q#6: What is lobbying

A: Lobbying consists of appealing to a legislator to either promote or quash a piece of pending legislation. Letter-writing, phone calls, e-mails directed at a legislator in an attempt to influence her decision are instances of lobbying.

Q #7: What are some of the core principles of the League of Humane Voters?

A: In our experience it is best to:
1) Start to organize from the bottom up. We seek to establish our influence over legislators first on the town and county level. That may involve influencing state legislators whose district is within the region. We do not attempt to become involved at the state and federal levels until we have a solid base of operation at the local level throughout the state.
2) No lobbying without electioneering. We find lobbying an office-holder without involvement in getting him/her elected is mostly an exercise in futility. Once we've helped a legislator get elected, or are in the process of helping her/him elected the efficacy of lobbying increases dramatically.
3) Seek to influence the legislators not the voters. We've established a base of single issue voters who have indicated to us that they will vote for candidates depending on his/her stand on humane issues. We don't see our mission as selling the candidates to other voters. Our mission is to persuade the candidates to accept our support in exchange for their support of humane legislation.

Q#8: How does LOHV differ from other Animal Rights PACS?
A: Many of the other PACS attempt to focus immediately on the federal or state-office levels. LOHV believes in first becoming firmly established on the local (municipal and county) levels before attempting to be influential on to the state-office and federal levels.
LOHV has an uncompromising abolitionists position on animal rights issues; we do not endorse or attempt to enact welfareist half-measures that in the long run only serve to entrench animal abuse.
However, we are willing to work co-operatively with any and all groups to bring about change in the make up legislative bodies.

Q# 9: How can I help
A: 1) Volunteer with an existing LOHV chapter in your area;
or
2) Organize a LOHV chapter in your area if there isn't one now.
and/or
3) Make a contribution to LOHV to help us defray our expenses.