Syracuse New York Mayor, Stephanie Miner, on Thursday pushed for a series measures designed improve access to voting and make it easier to cast absentee ballots.
The bills Miner is supporting would create a 20-day early voting window, allow voters to cast absentee balloting with “no excuse” and form universal voter registration.
“New York State’s archaic voting rules disproportionally affect the poorest members of our community, individuals of color, and young people, those people who most desperately need the attention of their government,” she said in a statement. “We can no longer exacerbate this problem by perpetuating the status quo. It is time to act and I strongly encourage you to move these proposals forward.”
They also happen to be measures backed by the top Democrats in the State Senate, Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers and Queens lawmaker Mike Gianaris.
Some observers say that’s no coincidence as Miner considers her next step in public office, which could land her in the State Senate.
Miner has a warm relationship with Republican Sen. John DeFrancisco, the newly appointed deputy majority leader in the chamber, and is not believed to be interested in taking him on directly.
But Miner, a former State Democratic Committee co-chair who challenged Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s policies toward local government finances, is believed to be interested in one day succeeding DeFrancisco in the chamber.
Rumors have swirled that DeFrancisco is considering making the current term his final one in Albany, something both he and his allies deny.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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