January 12, 2023 (Albany, NY) – Citizen Action of New York applauds lawmakers in the New York Senate for voting to approve several pro-democracy, pro-voter measures as it begins its 2023-2024 legislative session. Among other improvements, the package of bills passed establishes the New York voting and elections database that is key to implementing the historic New York Voting Rights Act; expands absentee ballot drop-off locations; allows for portable polling locations; allows food and non-alcoholic beverages to be given to New Yorkers waiting in line to cast their ballots; prohibits deceptive practices and the suppression of voters; restricts forum shopping for constitutional challenges to election laws; and reforms the operations of our local boards of elections, including the New York City Board of Elections.
In light of the concerted efforts at home and aboard to extinguish the flames of democracy, we are grateful to the New York Senate for working tirelessly to ensure that access to the ballot remains unimpeded for all New Yorkers. Specifically, we thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Election Committee Chair Senator Zellnor Myrie, Senator Rachel May, Senator Brad Hoylman, Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Liz Krueger, Senator John Mannion, Senator Shelley B. Mayer, and Senator Robert Jackson for their leadership in protecting the voting rights of everyday people. We look forward to working with the Assembly to pass the same measures and for Governor Hochul to immediately sign them into law.
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