Legislature Allocates Historic $44M for Election Reform

NEW YORK, NY (03/13/2019) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, both the Senate and the Assembly included funding for early voting in their one-house budgets. The Assembly set aside $7M and the Senate $10M to cover general operating expenses. In addition, the Assembly allocated $27M for electronic poll books and printers.

"The Let NY Vote Coalition is thrilled to see funding for early voting and electronic poll-books in the Senate and Assembly proposed budgets, thanks to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie. This is an historic victory for New York State which has not previously provided counties with financial support for elections. Now it's time for the Governor to get on board and make sure early voting is a success in November, not an unfunded mandate," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY and founding member of Let NY Vote.

The Legislature passed early voting into law in January, providing voters 9 additional days to vote before an election. However, the Governor's proposed budget, and his 30 day amendments, did not include a dedicated funding stream. The Let NY Vote coalition has been urging state lawmakers to include funding for early voting in the budget so counties aren't left with the bill.

"The legislature rightly recognizes the historic voting rights package they and the Governor passed needs funding to ensure its success," said Alex Camarda, Senior Policy Advisor at Reinvent Albany. "Funding for early voting and electronic poll books is critical for modernizing our democracy, and must be included in the final budget. Our democracy is worth the price."

"Brooklyn Voters Alliance was elated by the voting reforms passed earlier this year and we're happy that the State Senate and Assembly continue to show their support for these much needed reforms by including funding for Early Voting and Electronic Poll Books in their proposed budgets. These reforms and the funding necessary to make them truly work for all New Yorkers shows a legislature dedicated to transforming democracy in our state," said Julie Kerr of the Brooklyn Voters Alliance.

"This year, the legislature and Governor Cuomo passed much needed reforms that will expand and protect the right to vote for New Yorkers. The inclusion of funding for early voting and electronic poll books further illustrates the Assembly and Senate's deep commitment to strengthening democracy in New York State. We encourage Governor Cuomo to ensure these initiatives are fully funded so these reforms are correctly implemented," said Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union.

"This week, New York lawmakers demonstrated true commitment to ensuring access to the ballot by proposing to fund early voting and the equipment to implement it. Now, lawmakers and the Governor just need to make sure this funding is secured in the final budget agreement," said Erika Lorshbough, assistant director for legislative affairs at the New York Civil Liberties Union. "Far too many New Yorkers who want to vote are unable to make it to the polls on Election Day. Making sure that county boards of election can offer real early voting across the state will help put an end to that frustrating reality."

"The League applauds the actions of the Senate and the Assembly to propose funding for localities to support early voting and electronic poll books, and urges Governor Cuomo to lend his support," said Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New York State and a founding member of Let NY Vote Coalition.

"Interfaith Impact celebrates the several victories in what has been called the "hum-drum work of democracy." However, our task is to be sure that the people do their part in both advocacy and voting, or these will become pyrrhic victories," said The Rev. Dr. Richard S. Gilbert, President of Interfaith Impact of New York State.

Both the Senate and Assembly put out their own one-house budget bills and will vote on them later this week. The Governor and the Legislature begin negotiations over the final budget soon after.

Background

The Let NY Vote Coalition is a statewide network of over 150 member organizations ranging from 32BJ, to NAACP New York to New York State Indivisible. Full coalition list here.

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.

Electronic poll books: Electronic versions of paper-based voter rolls, which have make voting faster and less error prone. They work in companionship with ealy voting.

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.