Senator Golden Urges Reforms to Ensure Accurate Ballot Count

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), in light of the events associated with the recent 13th Congressional District’s Primary Election, today is calling on the State of New York to adopt a number of reforms to ensure machine count accuracy when elections polls close at the end of primary and general elections.

Senator Golden, the sponsor of S. 7709A, which is sponsored by Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan) in the State Assembly (A. 10175-B), is highlighting provisions of the legislation most notably the use of portable memory devices, as necessary to modernizing our election night procedures while maintaining the integrity of the process of closing polls.

The legislation authorizing the consolidation of returns in polls sites with more than one election district, and the transport of the portable memory device to be done separately from the voting machines. It would also require the person accepting and delivering the canvass at the Board to file their information with the election office. The legislation would also make unofficial tally would then be make available to the media in a public place or on the Internet as the results become known.

Senator Marty Golden stated, “This nation was founded on the ideals and values of a democracy and as such, it is important for us to regularly analyze and improve our voting system. Election night reporting is difficult and at times inaccurate, and in this day in age, we can and should do better. This legislation will advance New York’s electoral system by improving transparency while giving voters peace of mind. This should be in place before this November’s election.”