Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to sign into law legislation that will dramatically expand voting access by allowing any registered voter to cast an early ballot by mail, according to multiple people directly familiar with the plans.
Hochul, who will be flanked by lawmakers and voting rights experts, is expected to hold a bill signing on Wednesday morning in Manhattan, according to four people who spoke with Gothamist on background but were not authorized to publicly discuss the event. The governor’s office declined to comment in advance of the event.
The anticipated new law would allow all registered voters to request an early mail voting ballot from their local board of elections. It also requires the BOE to establish and maintain an online system where voters can apply for and track their early voting ballot applications, similar to the system already in place for voters to request an absentee ballot. Voters would then need to submit those early mail voting ballots before the polls close on Election Day.
“New York must be a lifejacket for democracy and combat the national tide and demonstrate free, fair, elections with ease of participation,” according to the sponsor memo from state Sen. Michael Gianaris, the deputy majority leader. “This legislation intends to make New York state a leader in engaging the electorate, meeting voters where they are and opening up greater opportunities for people to have their choices made on the ballot.”
In the Assembly, the bill was sponsored by Assembly Member Karines Reyes, who represents parts of the Bronx and is a registered nurse.
The legislation passed both the Democratic-led Senate and Assembly in early June just as lawmakers were ending the 2023 legislative session. Once it is signed by the governor, it will take effect on January 1, 2024 and will be used for all special, primary and general elections going forward.
Up to now, the only way for a voter to cast a ballot by mail was through the state’s absentee ballot…
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