New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman called on the New York State Board of Elections (BOE) today to issue clear guidance to Poll workers about the Affidavit ballot process in advance of the November 8th Election.
After receiving over 1,000 complaints from voters during the Presidential Primary on April 19th, the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau opened an inquiry into the practices of BOEs across the State, which remains ongoing. As part of that inquiry, the Attorney General’s office has found that many Poll workers do not receive accurate guidance about their legal obligations with respect to Affidavit ballots.
He urge the BOEs to address issues with the Affidavit ballot process that his office has uncovered as part of its inquiry.
It is critical that Poll workers ensure all eligible New Yorkers are able to cast an effective ballot on Election Day. Poll workers must offer Affidavit ballots to voters who believe they are registered, even if they do not appear in poll books.
The Attorney General asks the State Board of Elections to “issue clear guidance to local BOEs regarding:
(a) Procedures for determining the eligibility requirements for affidavit ballots.
(b) Process for casting such ballots.
(c) Importance of reviewing affidavit envelopes for completeness.
(d) Necessity of providing persons who choose not to cast Affidavit ballots with Voter Registration applications.
BOEs also should be advised to provide the written guidance and training to their Poll workers, and to ensure that Poll sites have sufficient Affidavit ballots and Voter Registration applications to meet demand.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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