Tuesday, December 10, 2019

NY Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Streamline Absentee Voting Process


New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today Signed Legislation:

S.3135/A.2687 Ensures Absentee Ballots Match Election Day Ballots goes into Effect immediately.

S.2038A/A.1922 Ensures New, Simplified Absentee Ballot Applications Are Used in School District Elections will take effect in 90 days.

The Legislation ensures Absentee Ballots match Ballots used to Vote in the District on Election Day and that the New, Simplified Absentee Ballot Applications created in 2010 are used in School District Elections.

"This year we enacted historic reforms to modernize our antiquated voting process and strengthen our election system," Governor Cuomo said. "These measures build on that progress by ensuring absentee ballots match the ballots that in-person voters use on Election Day and simplified absentee ballot applications are used in school district elections, making it easier for voters to exercise their fundamental right to vote."

Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-20th District) said, "We don't pull levers in the voting booth anymore, so our ballots shouldn't be designed for lever pulling. This legislation gets rid of dated ballot formats so that our absentee ballots match our primary ballots and helps ensure our democracy works. I commend the Governor for supporting this legislation and look forward to its implementation."

Assembly Member Fred Thiele (D-2nd District) said, "I am thrilled that the Governor has signed my legislation (A.2687) to update the law and ensure that Election Day ballots and absentee ballots match. This, along with his approval of legislation to simplify absentee ballots used in school district elections (A.1922) continues the trend of making voting easier and more accessible for all New Yorkers. Voting is the inalienable right of every American but also a hallmark of our values and democracy. I am pleased to work with the Governor to advance these important voting reform measures."

A Key Goal of the Governor's 2019 Justice Agenda is to Modernize New York's Voting Laws to Increase Voter Participation. On October 26th, Early Voting went into effect for the First time, making it easier for New York Voters to Participate in Elections without Logistical Burdens.

These Reforms will allow for:

- Nine days of Early Voting before an Election

- Synchronize Federal and State Primary Elections

- Allow Voter Preregistration for Teenagers

- Provide Voter Registration Portability within the State

- Close the LLC Loophole for Campaign Contributions

In September, Governor Cuomo also Signed Legislation Expediting Party Enrollment Changes to make it easier for Voters to Participate in the Upcoming Primary Elections. This Removed the October 11th Prior year Deadline and gives Voters until February 14th to make Changes to Party Enrollment and still Vote in 2020 for the April Presidential Primaries, and June Congressional and State Primaries.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


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