Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced on January 12 that the State Senate is advancing a package of election reforms aimed at protecting voters, supporting election workers, and strengthening election integrity for communities across New York.
“Each legislative session, we begin by honoring the voters we represent and reaffirming our responsibility to protect the integrity of our elections. We know that voters deserve confidence that their rights will be protected every time they cast a ballot,” said Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins. “At a moment when confidence in elections is being tested across the country, New York is taking clear steps to protect voters and the democratic process.”
At the center of the package is legislation sponsored by Senator Stewart-Cousins that would prohibit deceptive practices and voter suppression and increase penalties for violations of the elective franchise. The bill targets deliberate efforts to mislead voters or interfere with their right to participate in elections.
“My legislation, and the full package of reforms, reinforces a simple principle: New Yorkers should be able to vote freely, safely, and without interference, and those who undermine that right will face consequences,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins.
The Senate’s election reform package responds to growing concerns about misinformation, intimidation, and interference, while improving election administration and access for voters and election workers. These measures are intended to strengthen public trust and ensure that elections remain fair, secure, and accessible in local communities throughout the state.
The package of reforms advanced by the Senate includes:
-
Crimes of Voter Deception and Suppression — Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, this bill prohibits deceptive practices and voter suppression and increases penalties for violations of the elective franchise.
-
The Democracy Preservation Act — would ban political spending by foreign-influenced business entities in New York’s state and local elections.
-
New York Election Officer Protection Act — prohibits the intimidation, obstruction, or unlawful dissemination of personal information of election officers.
-
Establishing Portable Polling Locations — authorizes county boards of elections to establish county-wide portable polling locations for early voting.
-
Registering to Vote at a Secondary Residence — would permit a voter to register to vote at a secondary residence with which they have a continuous connection, and at which they intend to remain. Voters would still only be able to register in one place, and maintain one place of registration.
-
Training for Board of Elections Commissioners — requires the State Board of Elections to implement a uniform training curriculum for election commissioners statewide.
-
Changing the New York State Presidential Primary Date — moves New York’s presidential primary
