Elections Chair Sen. Myrie + Let NY Vote Push for Automatic Voter Registration

First-ever legislative hearing on Automatic Voter Registration to follow press conference

NEW YORK, NY (05/29/2019) (readMedia)-- On Thursday, Senator Myrie, members of Let NY Vote, and other voting rights advocates will join together to push for automatic voter registration (AVR): a process that would automatically register eligible New Yorkers to vote when they interact with a government agency (i.e., the DMV, Department of Health), unless they opt out.

15 other states and DC already have some form of AVR.

After the press conference, the New York State Senate will hold the first-ever legislative hearing on AVR in Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building.

Background

The Let NY Vote Coalition is a statewide network of over 175 member organizations ranging from 32BJ, to NAACP New York to New York State Indivisible. Full coalition list here.

In January, the NYS Legislature passed - and Governor Cuomo signed into law -- early voting, consolidation of primaries, pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds, and registration portability, which allows New Yorkers who move within the state to have their voter registration automatically updated via the USPS.

The Let NY Vote coalition has been demanding common sense voting reform in New York for years such as:

  • Early Voting: in place in 37 other states and now New York, allowing citizens to cast ballots in person days, sometimes weeks, before an election.
  • Pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds: 13 states plus DC allow for pre-registration for voting at 16 and 17 years old. Pre-registration increases the likelihood of voter participation among young adults. Engaging potential voters at a young age and bringing them into the voting process early helps create lifelong voters.
  • Consolidation of Primary Dates: Currently New York has two primary days in June and September, confusing voters. New York is the only state with two primaries.
  • Vote by mail: No eligible voter should have to provide a reason to be able to vote absentee.
  • Same day registration: 18 states and DC have Same Day Registration. Same Day Registration enables voters to register and vote at the same time and increases voter turnout.
  • Automatic Voter Registration: where registering to vote becomes seamless, electronic, and automatic.
  • Flexibility to Change Party Affiliation: New York has the most restrictive deadline in the country, locking out hundreds of thousands of voters during the primaries. The change of party deadline must be shortened to allow people to make an informed decision.
  • Voting Rights for People on Parole: the restoration of voting rights for people on parole needs to be codified in law, so that restoration becomes an automatic process.
WHO:

Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY

State Senator Zellnor Myrie

State Senator Mike Gianaris

Assemblymember Bobby Carroll

Millennial/Gen Z voters

Military voters

Sean McElwee, Co-Founder of Data for Progress and AVR Now

Members of 32BJ

**List in formation**

WHAT:

Sen. Myrie + Let NY Vote push for automatic voter registration (AVR) in New York.

WHEN: Thursday May 30, 2019 at 12:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Million Dollar Staircase
Third Fl, Capitol
Albany, New York
NOTES: