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The election reform bills being passed this week, as we begin the session, are a great first start. They include Election Day voter registration, permanently allowing voters to request & track absentee ballots online, establishing drop-boxes and more.
But we can do even more. https://twitter.com/Taniel/status/1348766039996329984
But we can do even more. https://twitter.com/Taniel/status/1348766039996329984
Another important reform that will pass this week: no-excuse absentee voting. In other words, voters will be able to vote by mail without needing to check off one of a specific list of available reasons to do so.
These really are just first steps though.
We should pass A1313 intro'd by @Bobby4Brooklyn to require the BOE to post a running tally of absentee & affidavit ballots accepted or rejected, with the reasons for rejections: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A1313
We should pass A1313 intro'd by @Bobby4Brooklyn to require the BOE to post a running tally of absentee & affidavit ballots accepted or rejected, with the reasons for rejections: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A1313
NY Senate Democrats are already working to pass a bill that would require ballots be counted if "the express intent of the voter is unambiguous," a great idea to help ensure votes are counted. But we should also require the collection & publication of this important data.
Second, we should pass A1314, also intro'd by @Bobby4Brooklyn, to require each county BOE to post updated unofficial results *on election night* broken down by each Election District, for free on the internet. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A1314
This is maybe the most obvious bill we should pass if we want to further trust and transparency in our elections. We're still waiting on results from a congressional election -- though these results aren't final, it's a no-brainer to provide updated unofficial election results.
We should pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, by @zellnor4ny, to modernize our elections and pass a variety of much-needed reforms. (Unfortunately, I don't yet see an updated bill number for this yet)
There's so much more we can do, from basic transparency reforms, to restructuring and professionalizing our political patronage-based Boards of Elections.
I'm looking forward to NY Senate & Assembly Democrats passing much-needed reforms this session.
I'm looking forward to NY Senate & Assembly Democrats passing much-needed reforms this session.
BTW, if any lawmakers would like to pass Senate versions of these bills, or work with me on further reforms, my DMs are open and my email is in my bio!
I'm happy to chat about any ideas -- and I'm hoping to keep this going with my project @FixNYElections!
I'm happy to chat about any ideas -- and I'm hoping to keep this going with my project @FixNYElections!
