Let NY Vote Celebrates Passage of Entire Original Legislative Agenda

NEW YORK, NY (05/12/2021) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, the New York State Assembly passed same day voter registration and no excuse absentee, crossing off the final two items off the original Let NY Vote legislative agenda. Now, those items head to the ballot for voters to weigh in this November.

The Let NY Vote coalition - a statewide network of over 175 member organizations - is a leading voice on common sense election reform since 2017. Together, they've advocated for -- and won -- early voting, automatic voter registration, voting rights for people returning home from periods of incarceration, and more.

Full Let NY Vote Victories:

• Permanently, automatically restoring voting rights to New York citizens returning home from periods of incarceration (enacted into law)
• 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. The 2019 New York State budget included $14.7 million for electronic poll-books and $10 million for counties to implement early voting (enacted into law)
• Flexibility to Change Party Affiliation (enacted into law): New York had 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.
• Pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds (enacted into law): 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 (enacted into law)
• Automatic Voter Registration: where registering to vote becomes seamless, electronic, and automatic. 16 states and Washington DC have already implemented some form of AVR (enacted into law)
• Vote by mail: No eligible voter should have to provide a reason to be able to vote absentee (passed twice, now to the ballot)
• Same day registration: 18 states and DC have Same Day Registration. Same Day Registration enables voters to register and vote on election day (passed twice, now to the ballot)

"For close to four years, Let NY Vote has fought for the expansion of voting rights in New York. We are sending a powerful message to the rest of the country at a time when voting rights are under attack in other states. We are so thankful for our partners in the State Legislature including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assemblymembers Latrice Walker and Charles Lavine, for prioritizing election reform and guaranteeing these bills made to the floor. Our work is not done, but right now, it is a little bit easier to vote in New York," said Sarah Goff, Deputy Director of Common Cause/NY.

"Four years ago, grassroots groups, unions, civil rights organizations, faith leaders, good government groups, everyday New Yorkers and many others came together to transform New York's regressive and suppressive voting laws. With the passage of no-excuse absentee voting and Election Day registration, which New Yorkers will have the chance to enshrine in the state constitution this fall, New York is one step closer to becoming a beacon for democracy," said Amanda Blair and Amanda Richie, co-founders of Brooklyn Voters Alliance. "And now, with the passage of all six of Let NY Vote's original priorities, we can't only say, we can show, that the voice of the people works. BVA is proud to have worked alongside so many for this change and look forward to our continued alliance as we push to end felony disenfranchisement and further reform our electoral system."

"The passage of the no-excuse absentee ballots and same-day registration bills in Albany marks the culmination of the Let New York Vote Coalition's long effort to expand the franchise in our state," said Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition. "Newly naturalized voters, in particular, can finally navigate what was once an outdated and opaque voter registration process. The New York Immigration Coalition thanks the leaders in Albany who made this possible, and we congratulate our partners, the Let New York Vote Coalition. We stand ready to continue the work of tearing down the unnecessary barriers that New Yorkers face when exercising the foundational right of our nations' democracy."

"The state legislature delivered for the democratic process across our state, voting to improve participation in an electoral system that has been regressive and repressive for far too long. No-fault absentee voting and same-day voter registration amendments are now a crucial step closer to being codified in our state constitution and delivering a more accessible franchise for generations to come. With the passage of the last two pieces of the original Let NY Vote platform, New York is standing up to strengthen voting rights. New Yorkers will now take to the polls in November to ratify these amendments and make clear our right to a voice in government is fundamental," said Erika Lorshbough, deputy policy director at the NYCLU.

"The New York State legislature today made significant progress in the path to modernizing the state's elections and making voting more accessible. These constitutional amendments will ensure that no eligible voter is disfranchised from voting because they missed the 10-day constitutional deadline to register to vote or did not provide a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Thank you to the bill sponsors for their steadfast support of these common-sense voting measures. We hope to see all New Yorkers vote in favor of these ballot measures in November," said Jennifer Wilson, Deputy Director, League of Women Voters of New York State.

" Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance is proud to be a member of the Let New York Vote coalition. All the organizations and individuals working in the coalition have put a lot of effort into working toward voting reform in New York State in the areas of early voting, automatic voter registration, flexibility to change party registration, electronic poll books and restoring voting to people on parole. Let us celebrate our accomplishments and then get to work on making more progress toward making the voting rights of all New Yorkers fair and equitable," said Maria Quackenbush, Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance

"We are watching voting rights all across this nation under attack, by the most restrictive voting laws suppressing the votes of thousands. But, I am proud to live in a state where we've made easy access to the ballot box a priority. New Yorkers rights to vote is easier than ever, thanks to the hard work of countless voting advocates," said Mimi Pierre Johnson Elmont Cultural Center .

"New York has made tremendous progress over the last two years in protecting and expanding the freedom to vote, and building a future where wealthy corporate donors have less power in our politics. Stand Up America was proud to be part of the coalition of activists led by LetNYVote," said Christina Harvey, Managing Director of Stand Up America. "Our members made over 10,000 phone calls and sent thousands of emails to their lawmakers in support of these initiatives, and will continue fighting to build a democracy that represents all New Yorkers."

"Citizens Union has long advocated for no fault absentee voting and same day voter registration, and we are delighted to see these two bills pass the legislature. If approved by the voters this fall, these reforms will build on the positive work that has been done in Albany over the past years to expand and protect the right to vote and make it easier for New Yorkers to participate in the democratic process. We look forward to working with our partner organizations to ensure these referendums are passed, and encourage all New Yorkers to vote yes." Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director, Citizens Union

"At Planned Parenthood, we know that reducing barriers is fundamental to creating broader access to health care, and similarly reducing barriers to voting will increase equity and engagement for New York voters. While other states may attack and chip away at voting rights, New York will lead the way to protect access to the ballot and enable more voters to participate in this civic duty," said Robin Chapelle Golston, President and CEO Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.

"Over the last four years, thanks to the tireless work of the Let NY Vote coalition, grassroots advocates, and legislative champions, New York has become a national leader in voting rights and campaign finance reform. Now, it's critical that the US Senate follow New York's example, take up and pass the For the People Act, and codify into federal law so many of the measures that have created a more equitable and representative democracy in our state," said Michelle Ming, Campaigns Manager for Fair Elections, Citizen Action of New York.

"The voting rights victories achieved over the course of recent legislative sessions is nothing short of a remarkable testament to the power of coalitions working together to pursue social justice," said Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq., Interim Executive Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College, CUNY. "Not only is New York a more hospitable voting rights state - but it is setting a model for how activists, organizers and elected officials can engage with challenging issues and create a more just community. Let us use the power of these successes to propel us forward for the next round in the pursuit of justice. Congratulations to all who put in the work for these momentous victories."