Gov Signs Election Bills, Common Cause/NY Tells Voters to "Get Ahead of the Curve"

NEW YORK, NY (08/20/2020) (readMedia)-- Today, Governor Cuomo signed a host of election bills into law, including condifying expanded absentee voting. In response, Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, issued the following statement:

"Thanks to the Legislature and Governor Cuomo, this coming November New Yorkers will have three safe and secure ways to vote: early, absentee, or on Election Day. The Boards of Elections need more funding but these critical reforms will allow them to plan and execute the most consequential election this century. New York City voters should get ahead of the curve and apply online now for an absentee ballot, or make a plan to vote early starting October 24 - November 1. The rest of the state should be able to apply for an absentee ballot asap. Democracy does not pause."

List of election reforms that passed and are now law:

• Improve & expand absentee voting
  • S8015D: Expands the definition of illness for absentee voting
  • S8783A: Gives voters more time to request an absentee ballot by eliminating the "no earlier than 30 days before the election" provision.

In July, the Let NY Vote Coalition, which Common Cause/NY is a member of, released their priorities for July.