Senate Passes Metzger Bill to Speed Up Implementation of Uniform Voting Hours for Primaries

(Albany, NY) The State Senate this week passed Senator Jen Metzger’s bill to move up implementation of uniform primary hours so that all New York voters will have the opportunity to vote from 6 am to 9 pm in the 2020 Presidential primary.

In many upstate counties the polls for primary elections do not open until noon, depriving voters of the option to vote on the way to work or school. Earlier this year, Metzger introduced legislation to expand voting hours and make them consistent across the state, and the legislation was passed as part of the state budget. However, the budget agreement set an enactment date for the new poll hours beginning two days after the 2020 presidential primary election. The legislation adopted this week moves up the effective date.

“We have a very important Presidential primary coming up next year, and there is no reason to delay implementation of this legislation," said Senator Metzger. "Voters in Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, and other upstate counties should have the same access to the polls that voters in New York City and other counties have."

The implementation of uniform primary hours across the state is one of a number of voting reforms, including early voting, intended to increase voter participation and improve voter turnout in New York State.

Metzger’s bill passed the Senate with 60 votes in favor. The companion bill in the Assembly is sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton of Ithaca, who represents the 125th District.

Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees.
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