Madmallard
.223 Rem
The state’s Attorney General has released a package of bills aimed at improving what he says is the state’s “arcane” and “ridiculous” voting laws that bar many potential voters from the ballot box.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman began a statewide inquiry after his office received a record number of complaints about lack of voter access during the April Presidential primary.
“In New York we have what amounts to legal voter suppression,” Schneiderman said.
He says the “profound and widespread” issues include disappearing polling places, and poorly trained poll workers turning away voters who sought affidavit ballots. Many polls that were open saw long lines and reduced hours.
And he says laws that have resulted in New York’s third worst voter participation in the nation, and fifth worst voter registration numbers need to be changed.
The Attorney General’s recommendations include getting
rid of lengthy six month waiting period to change party enrollment before a primary. That rule prevented even Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s own children from voting for their father in the New York primary back in April.
Schneiderman also wants early voting, and allowing voters to obtain and mail in absentee ballots without having to come up with a reason, essentially enacting voting by mail. He also thinks eligible voters should be automatically registered, and that they should be able to register to vote on Election Day.
The Attorney General was joined by numerous government reform groups.
Attorney General recommends fix to restrictive voting laws
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman began a statewide inquiry after his office received a record number of complaints about lack of voter access during the April Presidential primary.
“In New York we have what amounts to legal voter suppression,” Schneiderman said.
He says the “profound and widespread” issues include disappearing polling places, and poorly trained poll workers turning away voters who sought affidavit ballots. Many polls that were open saw long lines and reduced hours.
And he says laws that have resulted in New York’s third worst voter participation in the nation, and fifth worst voter registration numbers need to be changed.
The Attorney General’s recommendations include getting
rid of lengthy six month waiting period to change party enrollment before a primary. That rule prevented even Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s own children from voting for their father in the New York primary back in April.
Schneiderman also wants early voting, and allowing voters to obtain and mail in absentee ballots without having to come up with a reason, essentially enacting voting by mail. He also thinks eligible voters should be automatically registered, and that they should be able to register to vote on Election Day.
The Attorney General was joined by numerous government reform groups.
Attorney General recommends fix to restrictive voting laws
