SENATOR MYRIE WRAPS UP STATEWIDE HEARINGS ON ELECTION REFORM AND VOTING RIGHTS

BROOKLYN— The Senate Elections Committee, chaired by Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, has wrapped up a series of statewide hearings focused on the administration of New York's elections and protecting the rights of voters across the state.

The hearings were announced by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins earlier this summer, amid a string of high-profile errors, failures and allegations of discrimination by elections administrators in multiple counties. For the first time, the Elections Committee held open forums for voters, poll workers and others to document their experiences voting in New York State and their ideas for improvements to elections.

"In Brooklyn, Westchester, Syracuse and Rochester, voters have spoken loudly and clearly: our current system of elections is in desperate need to reform," said Senator Myrie. "In each hearing, we heard examples of voters who experienced difficulty exercising their rights and significant process failures at local board of elections. New York can and must set the national standard for competent, efficient elections administration that strengthens our democracy and protects our most sacred of rights: the right to vote."

The initial set of hearings sought testimony directly from voters to share their experiences and suggestions on improving the voting process. On September 21, the Committee will convene in Albany to question local and state Boards of Elections— along with other advocates and experts— and get their response to voter feedback collected during the initial hearings.

Voters are still invited to share statements on election reform in New York with the Committee. Through September 20, voters can submit testimony on their experiences as a voter or poll worker by clicking here