Getting involved

The Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee is comprised of eighteen district leaders who represent citizens in each of Dobbs Ferry's nine voting districts. We have regular meetings that are open to the public to provide a forum for discussion on a broad range of topics.  We invite you to attend our meetings to share ideas, hear from our local elected Democratic officials and candidates, and learn how to get involved with crucial races and important issues.

We have occasional vacancies in district leader positions.  Any resident of Dobbs Ferry who is a registered Democrat can apply to become a district leader. A district leader plays an important role in local government: providing a great opportunity to raise issues important to the constituents of your district. A short summary of the role and responsibilities is below. If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend a Committee, please contact us.

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​​What is a Democratic district leader?

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. 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.

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 work as poll watchers on General Election Day and Primary Day 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 listen to residents of their district to learn which issues matter to voters and report those to the Committee to act on when needed. They attend fundraisers and volunteer for campaigns of endorsed Democratic candidates at the local, state, and federal levels within the election district as well as for candidates in key races outside the district.

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 Greenburgh town, county, state and federal Democratic candidates for primary and general elections.