Let NY Vote Celebrates Pro-Voter Legislative Session

NEW YORK, NY (06/11/2021) (readMedia)-- As the New York legislative 2021 session ends in Albany, Let NY Vote celebrated completing the inaugural Let NY Vote legislative agenda, and more, this session. Now some of the items, including same day voter registration and no-excuse absentee voting ahead to the ballot for voters approval in 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 on parole, and more.

Let NY Vote's Original Legislative Agenda [ALL PASSED]:

2021 VICTORIES

  • Voting Rights for People on Parole: permanently, automatically restoring voting rights to New York citizens returning home from periods of incarceration (enacted into law)
  • Vote by mail (passed twice, now to the ballot): No eligible voter should have to provide a reason to be able to vote absentee.
  • Same day registration (passed twice, now to the ballot): 18 states and DC have Same Day Registration. Same Day Registration enables voters to register and vote on election day.

2020 VICTORIES

  • 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)

2019 VICTORIES

  • Early Voting (enacted into law): 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.
  • 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)

This year we were pleased to see some of our new legislative priorities move:

  • S1027A Gianaris / A7931 Carroll: Authorize reviewing, curing, sorting and canvassing absentee ballots sooner and reduce disruptive post-election tactics. Passed both houses!
  • S253, Myrie / A1144, Paulin: Safeguard ballots from technical disqualification during canvass where the express intent of a voter is clear. Passed Senate!
  • S492, Hoylman / A4128A, Gottfried: Authorize local Boards of Elections to deploy secure ballot drop boxes at convenient county locations. Passed Senate!
  • S516, Gianaris: Legislation to ensure timely and uniform processing and mailing of ballots requested, regardless of application method. Passed Senate!
  • S631, Salazar, and S632, Jackson / A4564, Bichotte Hermelyn: Extend laws permitting earlier absentee ballot requests and requests via the online portal, improving accuracy and timely processing. Passed Senate!
  • S1028, Comrie: Direct the board of elections to provide an online tool for tracking ballots from request to review, cure, canvass and tabulation. Passed Senate!
  • S286A Myrie / A6589 Galef: Allows the public to access digital ballot images and cast vote record on request. Passed Senate!
  • S5800 Comrie / A4323 Walker: Periodic skills certification for Election Commissioners and trainings for staff. Passed Senate!

"Another Legislative session ends by putting New York voters first. We are so thankful for our partners in the Legislature including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Zellnor Myrie and Mike Gianaris, Assemblymembers Latrice Walker and Charles Lavine, for prioritizing election reform and guaranteeing these bills made it to the floor. As the rest of the country suppresses voting rights, New York is leading by expanding the franchise," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.

"New York has made tremendous progress over the last two years in protecting and expanding the freedom to vote, including passing a law this year to permanently restore voting rights to 43,000 New Yorkers who have returned to their communities from incarceration," said Brett Edkins, Political Director Stand Up America. "Stand Up America drove over 2,200 phone calls and emails to state lawmakers in support of this legislation. In the years ahead we will continue fighting to build a democracy that represents all New Yorkers."

"After decades of neglect, voting reform in New York enjoyed historic progress for the second legislative session in a row," said Paul Westrick, Senior Manager of Democracy Policy at the New York Immigration Coalition. "New York went from having some of the worst voting laws in the country to being a leader in only two and half years. This is remarkable and a testament to the collective work of the members of the Let NY Vote Coalition."

"We're proud that New York has passed consequential legislation that will truly help citizens of our state vote, including Restore the Vote to ensure that people in our communities can participate in our elections," said Jan Combopiano, Senior Policy Director and Executive Committee member of Brooklyn Voters Alliance. "We remain committed to help make our state go 'from worst to first' in voting rights and lead our nation in ballot access, ease of voting, and administration integrity with all of our partners in the Let NY Vote coalition, our elected representatives, and the voting rights activists doing the work on the ground."

"There is a lot to celebrate in the area of voting reform in New York State. Early voting has been a huge step along with Restore the Vote in expanding the right to vote. However, let us not lose sight of all that still needs to be done. Let's make New York State a role model for protection of voting rights for all citizens. Our democracy is at stake," said Maria Quackenbush, co-founder of Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance.

"We at the New York Civic Engagement Table, a collaboration of over 70 organizations that build power with communities of color, immigrants, poor and working people, are extremely pleased with the expansion of voting access passed by our NYS legislature. Modernizing our democracy is a huge win for voters in our communities, increasing their ability to vote and their flexibility in how and when to vote. We're proud to stand with our community members, leaders, and organizations in fighting for voting rights." Melody Lopez, Executive Director, New York Civic Engagement Table.

"Ensuring New Yorkers have their voices heard at the ballot box has always been the priority of the Let NY Vote coalition. Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy, and New York must continue the fight to increase equity and accessibility for voters across our state. Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts is proud of the legislative progress made this session, and we will continue to work to reduce barriers to voting," said Robin Chappelle Golston, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.

"Making equity in education is a top priority for Education Reform Now and we applaud the legislature for their efforts to advance democracy for all New Yorkers. The future of our students is dependent on ensuring every voter regardless of race, income, or background can have their voices heard at the ballot box to improve educational opportunities for all children." - Crisanta Duran, former Colorado Speaker of the House and NY State Director of Education Reform Now.