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New York Moves Forward on Voting Rights

By Hubert Plummer posted 01-21-2019 10:14 PM

  

An update on voting rights.  The New York State legislature has passed a number of reforms that will make it easier for people to vote.

New York is one of the bluer states, with 3.5 million more registered democrats than republicans[i], yet until recently it lacked a number of voting rights that other states had.  New York had no early voting, no automatic registration and no registration allowed less than 10 days from an election.

The Assembly and Senate both passed bills[ii] that provide the following amendments to the voting laws:

Early Voting – This amendment establishes a nine day early voting period, including two weekends.  Each county shall set up early voting places and hours to best serve their communities.[iii]

Same Day Voting Registration – Allows people to register and vote on the same day with safeguards to prevent fraud.[iv]

No Excuse Absentee Voting – Previously, voters needed a reason to get an absentee ballot, such as absence from the County, illness or disability. Now voters can request an absentee ballot whenever they want.[v]

Voting Registration Transfers – When a voter moves the Board of Elections will transfer their registration to their new county.[vi]

Voter Pre-Registration – Allows 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to become effective on their 18th birthday.[vii]

Consolidation of local and federal primaries – Reduces the number of election days and saves millions of dollars by reducing the number of different days elections are held.[viii]

Governor Cuomo is expected to sign the bills when they reach his desk.

This is a huge step forward for New York voters.  Unfortunately the legislature did not pass an automatic registration plan that would register new voters when they interact with the DMV.  The DMV forms already have a registration application, but it must be filled out by the individual, whereas automatic registration would happen unless the person opted out.

[i] http://www.elections.ny.gov/enrollmentcounty.html

[ii] https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/protecting-new-yorks-democracy-senate-majority-conference-passes-historic; https://nyassembly.gov/Press/files/20190114.php

[iii] https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1102

[iv] https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1048

[v] https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1049

[vi] https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1099

[vii] https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1100

[viii] https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s1103

 

 

The author[s] is solely responsible for this blog submission.  It does not represent the position of the New York State Bar Association or its Committee.

 

 

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