Legislature Passes a Package of Election Reforms

On Monday, the Senate and Assembly passed a package of election reform measures aimed at making voting in New York more accessible. Among the measures is a system of early voting which will allow for a nine day early voting window. The package also makes it easier to transfer registration upon moving, closes the LLC loophole for campaign contributions, allows for teens to pre-register to vote, and consolidates the federal and state primaries (which could lead potential changes to the legislative calendar in 2020).

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the leader of the Senate Democrats, said: “We should not fear making it easier for those who are eligible to vote, to vote,” adding, “We should not fear restricting the flow of money into our electoral system.”

This package is an early victory for the new Senate Majority as well as the Assembly, as both have long sought such reforms.