South Queens, New York- Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens) today announced that she helped to pass a series of bills to make voting easier, and more transparent, for all New Yorkers and help prevent wealthy special interest group from having undue influence in political campaigns. The Assembly passed election reform legislation last night during the second week of the 2019 Legislative Session, leading the fight to expand voting opportunities and increase transparency. The reforms passed the NYS Senate last night as well.

“Voting is not only a fundamental right of every American but also a hallmark of our values and our democracy. Still, for far too many New Yorkers, voting is a difficult, frustrating experience,” said Pheffer Amato. “It’s time to reform some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country in an effort to ensure every New Yorker is heard. With our new partners in the state Senate, we are poised to make good on our promise to New Yorkers and break down barriers to voting.”

Making voting easier and more accessible

To give New Yorkers ample opportunity to vote, the Assembly passed legislation that would establish early voting in New York State, which would take place during a nine-day period before any general, primary, run-off primary or special election (A.780). During the early voting period, polling locations would be required to be open for eight hours on weekdays and five hours on weekends and holidays, and to offer evening hours on at least two days. County boards of elections would have the option of providing additional early voting hours and would be required to publicize to voters the location, dates and hours of all early voting polling places within each county.

To increase access to mail-in ballots at home, the legislative package includes a bill that would amend the New York State Constitution to allow any citizen to receive an absentee ballot upon request – no questions asked (A.778). Under current law, residents can only receive absentee ballots if they expect to be absent from the county on the day of the election, or if they have an illness or physical disability. The amendment must be passed by both the Assembly and Senate in consecutive legislative terms before it goes before voters as a ballot referendum.

“Allowing early voting, and increasing access to mail-in ballots at home simplifies the entire process for many of us,” Pheffer Amato noted. “These measures would go a long way in ensuring access for everyone.”

Modernizing voter registration

Further, the Assembly passed legislation to allow for same-day voter registration, a practice already adopted by 17 other states and Washington, D.C.[1] The bill would amend the state constitution by removing the requirement that New Yorkers register to vote at least 10 days before an election (A.777).

Legislation was also passed instructing boards of elections to automatically transfer voter enrollment for New Yorkers who move from one county to another (A.775). And, to encourage young people to vote and become civically engaged, the legislative package includes a measure that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote (A.774).

Combining the state and federal primaries

Once again, the Assembly passed legislation to consolidate the state’s election calendar by combining the state and federal primary election dates to the fourth Tuesday in June (A.779). This would save taxpayers an estimated $25 million, reduce the burden on county boards of elections and keep New York State compliant with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act. Further, holding both primaries on the same date would make it easier for New Yorkers to vote, increasing voter turnout, concluded Pheffer Amato. Currently, New York is the only state that holds its federal and state primaries on different days.[2]

“Voting gives New Yorkers a chance to help determine the direction of their communities, our state and our nation,” said Pheffer Amato. “The process should be as convenient and accessible as possible.”

Closing the LLC loophole

Under current election law as interpreted by the State Board of Elections, individuals and corporations can make unlimited contributions to the same candidate, political party or campaign committee by creating multiple limited liability companies (LLCs). Each LLC is treated as an individual donor, even if multiple LLCs are owned by the same person or entity, which makes it harder to determine the real contributor and allows them to evade campaign contribution limits.

The Assembly’s measure would extend the $5,000 aggregate contribution limit, already applicable to corporations, to include LLCs, and require LLCs to disclose the names of individuals with membership interests, attributing LLC contributions to them in proportion to such membership interest (A.776). By closing the LLC loophole once and for all it ensures that everyone plays by the same rules, noted Pheffer Amato.

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