Election day Highlighted one of the First Issues we need to Address when the Legislature returns to Albany.
Once again there were Massive Problems at the Polls, with Broken Scanning Machines and Disorganization Resulting in Long and Frustrating Delays for Voters. The State needs to Address this by Modernizing our Voting Procedures, and by Reforming the New York City Board of Elections, which has proved time and again that it is Not capable of Meeting its Obligations to the Voters.
The good news is that we already have Legislation to accomplish these Reforms, and the New Democratic Majority Legislature is in a position to Pass them.
Last Session the Assembly Passed a Comprehensive Package of Voting Reform Measures that the Senate Democratic Conference Support, and I believe this should be One of the First things they Act on when the New Session begins.
Among the Measures I think they can Address are:
- Legislation that would establish a Seven-Day Early Voting Period for Registered New York Voters to Vote In-Person prior to any Primary, Special, or General Election. Each County would be Required to Provide a Set Amount of Early Voting Hours, with the Number of Early Voting Sites related to the County Population, but would have the flexibility to offer Hours that best meet the Needs of its Residents.
- A Constitutional Amendment to allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting. Under Current Law, Absentee Voting is Only Allowed if an Individual Expects to be Absent on Election Day, or is Unable to get to the Polls because of Physical Illness or Disability. This Measure offers a more Equitable Voting Experience by Allowing Busy New Yorkers more Options for Casting their Ballots.
- Legislation to create a Modern Voter Registration System that will Reduce Costs for Processing Voter Registrations and maintain Complete and Accurate Voter Registration Lists. This Legislation will help Reduce the Inaccuracy and Disenfranchisement caused by Human Error while also helping to Prevent Fraud.
- Pre-Registration for 16- and 17- year olds to ensure Young People are able to Vote as soon as they turn 18.
- Legislation to Shorten the Time Requirement for Changing Party Registration to 90 days, instead of the Current Law that Requires Party Enrollment Changes to be made Prior to the Previous General Election.
The many Bills waiting for a Vote:
EBP, S2788 and A5547: Modernizes and Improves Elections by allowing Poll Workers to Check-In Voters at their Poll Site using a Laptop or Tablet, saving Time, Resources, and Improving Accuracy.
Early Voting, S2950 and A2064: Allows Eight Days to Two Days prior to an Election. Counties must provide at least One Early Vote Site per Fifty Thousand Voters.
Voter Empowerment Act, S3304 and A2278: To ensure every Eligible Citizen is Registered to Vote and make it easier to Update their Voting Information.
Online Voter Registration, S5115 and A5382: Modernizes Paper-Based Registration by allowing NYers to Apply Online including an Electronic Signature, which the AG has said is Valid under NY Law.
Preclearance, S6164 and A5925: Ensures that No Citizen is Denied their Right to Vote based on Race or Minority Status. It Requires Counties with Populations with at least 10% of any Racial, Ethnic, or Language Minority Group to get Approval from the New York State Attorney General before making any Changes to the Voting Process, such as Changing Poll Site Locations or Purging the Voter List.
Early Voting, S7400 and A9608: New Yorkers should have an 8-day Period, including Saturdays and Sundays, to ease Long Lines on Election Day and give Voters flexibility as they juggle Work and Family Obligations.
New York Votes Acts, A5312: Would provide for Automatic and Same Day Registration, Early Voting, and No-Excuse Absentee Voting, as well as additional Protection for Voters.
While these Reforms would Increase Access to Voting and allow People more Options as to When and How they Vote, it is also Clear that at least in New York City, there is a Desperate need for Reform of the Board of Elections. One Solution would be to Professionalize Board Operations. Legislation is needed that would establish in Law the Powers of the Executive Director and Deputy Director of the New York City Board of Elections. The Current Structure of the Board does not Delineate which Powers are Reserved to Commissioners and which are in the Purview of Executive Staff, which Undermines Efficiency and Accountability at the Board.
There is much to do when the Legislature returns to Albany in January, but they must Remember this year’s Debacle at the Polls, and I firmly believe that they can enact better Laws to make Voting Easier and more Accessible for all New Yorkers.
They also need to work on Bills for: Ranked-Choice Voting for Federal, State, and Local Elections; Automatic Voter Registration; and a version of Open Primaries so all Eligible Voters can take Part in the Process of Candidate Selection. To make this happen we need to Separate the Primary Ballot so Party Elections are on a Separate Ballot from Local, State, and Federal Candidates Ballots.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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