Founded in 1909, the NAACP has long been on the forefront on the fight for civil rights. Today, its members gathered in Binghamton.

In its 86th-annual annual New York State conference, NAACP delegates from across the state joined together to make their voices heard. Topics ranged from criminal justice to education.

54 different NAACP branches were represented, from Niagara Falls to Eastern Long Island. 

One theme was consistent -- the importance of voting.

"That's why its important that we vote," said Conference President Hazel N. Dukes. "We've got people relying on us. We've got economic problems, we've got education problems -- we fight about that."

Local officials and state leaders were also present, including NYS Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-123) also took the stage, discussing the pushback her colleagues faced when advocating for bail reform.

"It boils down to the fact that we stood up, to try to right a wrong around bail reform," Lupardo said. "It was -- just was a systemic wrong of many many generations and decades."

Dukes said the conference was successful, and that she hopes above all that those present turn out to vote in droves.

"The senate is very key," Dukes said. "The assembly can pass all the bills they want to but if they are not passed in the senate, it's no legislation. And so its important [that] we are educating, [and that] we are encouraging people to get engaged, and [participate] by going to the polls.