New York's 2019 Budget would provide Capital Funds for Local Boards of Elections to implement Early Voting by Purchasing Electronic Poll Books and On-Demand Ballot Printers, improving Ease of Voting for All New Yorkers. The Budget will also provide Additional Money to Offset other Costs associated with Early Voting.
The Budget also provides Money to maintain Current Operations at the State Board of Elections. The use of Electronic Poll Books and On-Demand Ballot Printers will require Approval and be Certified by the State Board of Elections.
This Legislation Reformed New York State's Antiquated Electoral Process, Expanding New Yorkers' Access to the Polls and bringing more Transparency to Campaign Finance.
The Package included Legislation to:
- Establish a Nine Day Early Voting Period with Two Full Weekends 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 over the course of the Nine Day period, but would have the flexibility to offer Hours that best meet the needs of its Residents. This would go into effect immediately, and be in Place for the 2019 General Election.
- Combine the Federal Non-Presidential Primary and State Primary. The Primary would be held in June. The Measure would also ensure New York State's Compliance with the Federal Military Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act. This would take effect immediately.
- Automatically Transfer a Voter's Registration when they Move within New York State. This would take effect 60 days after the Measure is Signed into Law.
- Require Voter Registration Forms to include a Space for Pre-Registering Applicants at least 16 years of age, requiring Local Boards of Education to Adopt Policies to Promote Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration in High Schools. This would go into effect on January 1st, 2020.
- Reform the LLC Campaign Contributions Policy. The Legislation Restricts LLC Campaign Contributions to the same $5,000 Aggregate Contribution Limit that exists for Corporations. The Bill, which would go into effect Seven Days after being Signed into Law, would also require the Disclosure of All Direct and Indirect Owners of the LLC and that All Contributions by an LLC be Attributed to each Member in Proportion to each Member's Ownership Interests. Under Current Law, as interpreted by the State Board of Elections, a Single Individual is allowed to make Multiple Large Contributions to the same Candidate or Committee through separate LLCs, making it difficult to Determine who made the Contributions and Evaded Individual Contribution Limits.
- Begin the Process of Changing the New York Constitution to allow: No-Excuse Absentee Voting and Election Same Day Registration. As a Constitutional Amendment, these would be on the Ballot for New York State Voters no earlier than November 2021.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
No comments:
Post a Comment