Legislation Expedites Party Enrollment Changes
to Make It Easier to Vote in Primary Elections
to Make It Easier to Vote in Primary Elections
Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation (S.6532A/A.8228B) expediting party enrollment changes to make it easier for voters to participate in the upcoming primary elections. Until now, changes to party enrollment did not take effect until after the November general election, requiring voters to wait as long as a year for changes to take effect. The new law will remove the October 11 deadline and give voters until February 14 to make changes to party enrollment and still vote in the April presidential and June congressional and state primaries. The change will go into effect immediately.
"While the federal administration continues to look for new ways to disenfranchise voters across the country, in New York we are making monumental changes to break down more barriers to the ballot box and encourage more people to exercise this fundamental right," Governor Cuomo said. "This measure will make it easier for New Yorkers to have their voices heard in presidential, congressional and state primaries, which builds upon the many reforms we've made to strengthen New York's election system and increase voter access once and for all."
Senator Brian Kavanagh said, "With the change we're enacting today, we're significantly diminishing an obstacle that has prevented many New Yorkers from joining the party of their choice and participating in our primary elections. Having worked to reform our extremely restrictive party enrollment law for about a decade, I'm gratified that we're able to add this voter friendly reform to the many we have already enacted this year to protect and expand the right to vote and bring New York's election laws on par with the best in the country. I thank Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Election Committee Chair Zellnor Myrie, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Assembly sponsor Jonathan Jacobson for their leadership, and of course Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing this bill today and continuing to build upon his strong record of reform."
Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson said, "Voting should be simple and easy. During this year's session, the Legislature passed many significant voting reforms, including early voting. The bill that Governor Cuomo signed today dramatically extends the time for voters to change their party enrollment. Voters can now change their enrollment status up until a mere 10 weeks before the Presidential Primary. I applaud the Governor for signing this bill and continuing to support the expansion of voter rights in New York State."
Changes of enrollment made by voters after February 14 will take effect seven days after the succeeding June primary.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
"While the federal administration continues to look for new ways to disenfranchise voters across the country, in New York we are making monumental changes to break down more barriers to the ballot box and encourage more people to exercise this fundamental right," Governor Cuomo said. "This measure will make it easier for New Yorkers to have their voices heard in presidential, congressional and state primaries, which builds upon the many reforms we've made to strengthen New York's election system and increase voter access once and for all."
Senator Brian Kavanagh said, "With the change we're enacting today, we're significantly diminishing an obstacle that has prevented many New Yorkers from joining the party of their choice and participating in our primary elections. Having worked to reform our extremely restrictive party enrollment law for about a decade, I'm gratified that we're able to add this voter friendly reform to the many we have already enacted this year to protect and expand the right to vote and bring New York's election laws on par with the best in the country. I thank Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Election Committee Chair Zellnor Myrie, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Assembly sponsor Jonathan Jacobson for their leadership, and of course Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing this bill today and continuing to build upon his strong record of reform."
Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson said, "Voting should be simple and easy. During this year's session, the Legislature passed many significant voting reforms, including early voting. The bill that Governor Cuomo signed today dramatically extends the time for voters to change their party enrollment. Voters can now change their enrollment status up until a mere 10 weeks before the Presidential Primary. I applaud the Governor for signing this bill and continuing to support the expansion of voter rights in New York State."
Changes of enrollment made by voters after February 14 will take effect seven days after the succeeding June primary.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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