Zellnor Myrie, Latrice Walker + Advocates Rally to Vote Early New York!

NEW YORK, NY (10/03/2019) (readMedia)-- With three weeks until early voting begins, NYS Elections Chair Senator Zellnor Myrie, and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, will join with Common Cause/NY Executive Director Susan Lerner, and voting rights activists to promote the first year of early voting in New York.

The new law gives voters 9 days before Election Day to vote beginning October 26 and ending on November 3rd. Voters can still cast their ballots on Election Day on November 5.

The 2019 New York State budget also included $14.7 million for electronic poll-books and $10 million for counties to implement early voting; almost exactly the combined $25 million the Let NY Vote coalition had asked for. New York is now the 38th state in the nation to pass and fund early voting, and the 35th state with electronic poll-books.

To find more information on where and when to vote check out: www.voteearlyny.org

Background:

Early Voting is just one of the many victories the Let NY Vote coalition had this legislative session consolidation of primaries as well as pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds.

Let NY Vote's list of wins in the 2019 legislative session:

• 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.
• 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): Previously New York had two primary days in June and September, confusing voters. New York was the only state with two primaries.
• Vote by mail (passed in leg, requires constitutional amendment): No eligible voter should have to provide a reason to be able to vote absentee.
• Same day registration (passed in leg, requires constitutional amendment): 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.
• 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 has been cut in half, a distinct improvement.