Upon Let New York Vote’s founding in 2017, they laid out an ambitious Legislative Agenda that would work towards Safe and Accessible Elections in New York.
They are beyond excited to Celebrate the News that, upon the Passage of, the Two State Constitutional Amendments, that will appear on the Ballot this November 2021, Let New York Vote will have Accomplished its entire initial Legislative Agenda.
Because of everyone’s efforts, they are much closer to making the Promise of Democracy Real for all in New York.
Through these Reforms, we are sending a Powerful Message to the Rest of the Country, at a time when Voting Rights are under Attack in other States.
The Victories:
- Enacted into Law: Permanently, Automatically Restoring Voting Rights to New York Citizens Returning Home from Periods of Incarceration.
- Enacted into Law: Early Voting, New York now has 9 days of Early Voting for Every Election. The 2019 New York State Budget included $14.7 Million for Electronic Poll-Books and $10 Million for Counties to Implement Early Voting.
- Enacted into Law: Flexibility to Change Party Affiliation. 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 was Shortened to Allow People to make an Informed Decision. An Application to Change one’s Party Enrollment for any Primary Election in 2021 must be Received by the Board of Elections, no later than February 12th, 2021. It was Dec. of the Prior year. In 2021.
- Enacted into Law: Pre-Registration of 16 and 17-year-olds. 13 States plus D.C. 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. In New York City, High School Seniors take a Class and are offered a Voter Registration Form.
- Enacted into Law: Consolidation of Primary ElectionS Date to June 22nd.
- Enacted into Law: Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), where Registering to Vote becomes Seamless, Electronic, and Automatic. 16 States and Washington D.C. have already Implemented some Form of AVR.
- Now a 2021 Ballot Question: Vote by mail, No Eligible Voter should have to Provide a Reason to be able to Vote with an Absentee Ballot.
- Now a 2021 Ballot Question: Same Day Registration, 18 States and D.C. have Same-Day Registration. Same-Day Registration enables Voters to Register and Vote on Election Day.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
