About ACYD
Established in 1953, the mission statement of the Albany County Young Democrats (ACYD) is to champion justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for every young Democrat. ACYD is unwavering in its commitment to amplify the voices of all young Democrats, advocating for their active participation in shaping the laws, policies, and regulations that govern our community.
President
Manik Elahi
First elected by his fellow members in April of 2024, and re-elected unanimously in 2025, Manik Elahi serves as President of the Albany County Young Democrats.
In this role, he represents and advocates for the thousands of young Democrats who call our beloved Albany County their home. Manik also serves as the Capital Region Regional Vice President on New York State Young Democrats Executive Board.
His mission for the organization focuses relentlessly on continuing to empower and build the next generation of leaders in the Democratic Party of New York's Capital Region.
Connect with Manik on social media below:
Our Goals
ACYD's main goals are to:
Increase voter turnout and local civic participation among young people by leading registration drives, educational outreach, and GOTV efforts.
Create welcoming, energizing spaces for young people of all backgrounds to connect, organize, and shape the future of the Democratic Party.
Develop and support the next generation of Democratic leaders in Albany County through mentorship, training, and hands-on organizing opportunities.
Amplify the values of our membership to make our voices heard throughout Albany County, New York State, and beyond.
ACYD advances these goals by organizing monthly member events and coordinating canvassing efforts in support of endorsed candidates during election season. We convene a General Body Meeting each spring to vote on endorsements, resolutions, and officer elections. In the fall, we gather for our Installation Celebration & Awards to recognize our work and inaugurate newly elected leaders. Members can also deepen their involvement through participation in one of our standing committees, which help guide the organization’s priorities and operations.
Executive Board
The following Executive Board has been elected by our members to lead ACYD for 2025-26.
Statewide Impact
Several of our members hold statewide offices within the NYS Young Democrats, extending the Capital Region’s leadership and excellence across the Excelsior State.
Statewide Executive Board Secretary: Naishaly Vélez Galán
Capital Region Regional Vice President: Manik Elahi
LGBTQIA+ Caucus Chair: Chloe Pierce
Women's Caucus Deputy Chair: Shannon Sutorius
Our Service Area
While our focus remains on Albany County in New York, we have members from across New York's Capital Region!
Community
Albany County, NY