Addabbo: Election Reforms Ensure Absentee and Affidavit Votes Are Counted and Improve Election Administration

Queens, NY, June 1, 2010 -- In recent months, the New York State Senate passed a package of election
 reforms to improve the absentee and affidavit voting process and election administration; some have
passed in the Senate or have since been signed into law by Governor Paterson. These bills underscore
the Senate’s commitment to delivering an inclusive, reliable and efficient electoral process to the voters of New York.
“The Elections Committee has made common sense reforms a priority because, under no circumstance,
should voters question their role in our democracy,” said NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach),
 Chair of the Senate Elections Committee.
 
Legislative Summary:
 
S2868-B/ Addabbo:
·      Simplifies the absentee ballot application process by eliminating private and
       superfluous information requirements and shortening the time for  application.
·      Removes questions about why a voter cannot make it to the polls, including if they
       have a permanent or temporary disability. Also eliminates provisions requiring voters
       with permanent illness or physical disability to list on the application the particulars
       of their illness.
·      Removes the requirement that the Boards of Elections investigate whether such voter
       is being truthful as it pertains to said illness or disability.

 S4960B/ Krueger:
  Allows voters to request an absentee ballot by fax for the first time ever.
·    Reduces the time it takes voters to receive their absentee ballot, while making it easier 
     for voters who are out of town or abroad, including military personnel, to return their
     ballots in time for them to be counted.
 
S5988/ Klein:
·   Provides for a dual affidavit ballot, voter registration and change of enrollment form.
·   Ensures that those who vote by affidavit ballot are properly registered for the next
    round of elections.
·   Eliminates cost of postage for local Board of Elections.

S3252/ Addabbo:
·   Includes space for an e-mail address on voter registration forms.
·   Provides voters with the option of an additional means of communication with local
    Board of Elections.

S6910/ Addabbo:
·   Promotes administrative efficiency by allowing the Board of Elections to determine
    how changes to mailing addresses are made. It was passed in the Senate on May 17.
·   Allows individuals to update their mailing address by additional methods such as
    telephone, email and fax.
·   Requires candidates who file campaign disclosure reports to provide the name and
    address of the bank where they maintain campaign accounts.

"New York voters deserve a simple and easy way to request materials to participate in our democratic process,"
 said Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan). "Voters will now be able to take advantage of more convenient, faster
technologies including fax and email to request absentee ballots, which will encourage people to exercise their right to vote."
“I am wholly committed to creating a more open, accessible, and responsible electoral process for all New Yorkers.
 First and foremost, this means breaking down barriers that keep eligible New York voters from being counted,”
said State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).
"The League of Women Voters of NYS applauds the Senate for passing these bills which improve the voting process
for New York voters.  Removing obstacles to absentee voting and expanding opportunities for eligible voters to
participate in choosing their elected representatives, especially in this statewide election year, is a positive
step," added Aimee Allaud, Elections Specialist, League of Women Voters of New York State.
Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY noted, “Common Cause/NY applauds the Senate for passing these
long overdue election reforms. They remove unnecessary impediments and inconveniences that make it harder for
New Yorkers to be able to vote and help streamline election and campaign procedures. As long-time supporters of
no-excuse absentee voting, we are particularly pleased by the passage of  S2868-B (Addabbo), which simplifies the
absentee ballot application process, and by its being signed into law by Governor Paterson on April 28.”
"This package of reform bills individually and collectively will help remove some of the obstacles to voting that
get in the way of New Yorkers casting their ballots," said NYPIRG Legislative Counsel Russ Haven.  "This moves us
in the direction of making it easier to participate in the most essential part of our democracy: voting to choose
our designated representatives."
Concluded Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union, “Citizens Union commends the Senate for the passage of
a number of election reform bills that aim to provide voters with greater ease in registering to vote and casting
their ballots.  In particular, S2868-B, simplifies the process of receiving an absentee ballot and S5988, which
streamlines the process of registering or changing voter enrollment through an affidavit ballot, and was also signed
into law by the governor on April 28.  Both of these bills provide voters with an easier process for ensuring they
are registered and are able to cast their ballot.  In addition, allowing voters to include their email addresses on
voter registration forms as provided in S.3252, is a smart step toward harnessing today’s technology to provide voters
with necessary information and make communicating with the public as widespread and easy as possible. Citizens Union has
long advocated for election processes that maximize participation and increases access to voting, and
these bills take us in that direction.”

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