Harckham Calls School Vote Deadline Extension Decision a “Collaborative Triumph for Voters”
June 7, 2020
South Salem, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham issued the following statement today expressing his gratitude to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for announcing that a new Executive Order that will allow ballots for school board elections and school budget votes be accepted by hand delivery through 5 p.m. on June 9 and received by mail through June 16 by the school district.
“Allowing voters across New York to personally deliver their ballots for school election by Tuesday, June 9, or have them arrive by mail by Tuesday, June 16, gives those desiring to having their votes be counted more leeway to get them en route to be counted.
“I want to thank Governor Cuomo especially for signing the Executive Order, and Senate Committee Chair Shelley Mayer and all of my Senate colleagues who supported making important voting deadline modifications. Indeed, this was a collaborative triumph for New York voters, and further proof that good governance and a quick, proper response to residents’ needs are both alive and well in the Empire State.”
Last week, Harckham introduced legislation in the New York State Senate that would extend the date for school district and library elections across the state until June 16, 2020, because of various difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Governor Cuomo’s decision to allow this extension on the receipt of school ballots gives voters ample time, as my bill sought to do as well, to ensure that their votes will count,” said Harckham, who added the Executive Order negates the need for his legislation to proceed.
Along with statewide school district board elections and budget votes on June 9, 2020, a number of public libraries that are affiliated with school districts have their board and budget votes on the same date. The Executive Order applies to these elections and votes as well.
