New York, do you want to expand voter access?
If YES, you need to vote in the 2021 general election.
Here’s why:
New Yorkers have the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” on Proposal 4. Voting “yes” supports amending the New York State Constitution to allow any New York registered voter to request and vote absentee without having to have an excuse or justification.
Currently, the New York Constitution requires voters to be absent from their home county, ill, or physically disabled to vote absentee.
Did you know that New York is one of 16 states that require voters to provide an excuse to receive and vote with an absentee ballot? The other states are Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia.
New Yorkers have the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” on Proposal 3. Voting “yes” supports removing the requirement citizens be registered to vote at least 10 days before an election. Allows state legislature to enact laws permitting registration less than 10 days before an election (same-day voter registration).
In 2016, voters in New York City faced an illegal voter purge removing 200,000+ voters from the rolls. Many challenges (like this example) that typically prevent someone from legally being able to cast a ballot due to registration issues could be eliminated with same-day voter registration.
There are 5 Measures on the Ballots for New Yorkers to Vote:
- Proposal 1: Omnibus amendment with numerous changes to the state’s redistricting process
- Proposal 2: Amendment to Article 1 of NY Constitution creating a constitutional right to clean air, water, and a healthful environment
- Proposal 3: Authorizes legislature to pass laws eliminating current 10-day advance voter registration requirement (allowing same-day voter registration
- Proposal 4: Authorizes legislature to pass laws amending the NY State Constitution for no-excuse absentee voting
- Proposal 5: Increases the jurisdiction of the NYC Civil Court — allowing it to hear and decide on claims up to $50K
New York, you are also voting for:
- Mayors
- Public Advocates
- Comptrollers
- Borough Presidents
- City Council Seats
- District Attorney
- NY State Supreme Court
- City Court Judges
- Sheriff
- Family Court Judges
- Senate Special (District 30)
- Assembly Special (District 86)
- School Board Seats
and more….
ARE YOU A NEW YORK VOTER?
- Visit elections.ny.gov to find out who is on your ballot, voting locations, and times and to learn about candidates, ballot measures & elected officials’ responsibilities
- Make a voting plan — where, when, how are you voting?
- Spread the word — we polled our community and 43% did not know that these ballot measures were up for a vote this fall. You can share this information with your friends and family & communities with our shareable assets.
For more information & resources, we found these sources helpful.
NY Senate Website
NYC Board of Elections
Ballotpedia
Let NY Vote
W NYC
New York Civil Liberties Union
Don’t live in New York but know someone that does? Reach out to them today to remind them to vote and ask them how you can help with their voting plan.
Research shows that people are 26x more likely to make a voting plan AND vote if they are asked by someone they know — a friend, family, community member. Reach out to your peeps today!
Ps. We have a 2021 Elections Toolkit that will help you figure out the who, what, where, when in voting in the upcoming elections. Check it out and let us know what you think.