For Immediate Release
September 20, 2023
Today New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a slate of voting and election administration reforms, including measures to improve poll worker training and facilitate voter registration, such as providing opportunities for same-day registration on the first day of early voting.
Joanna Zdanys, senior counsel in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had the following comment:
“Today marks another important step toward a democracy that works for all New Yorkers.
“For too long, New York voters have faced unnecessary barriers to casting their ballots, from problems with voter registration to flawed service at poll sites. The common-sense legislation enacted today addresses these issues head-on, including bills to strengthen poll worker training and facilitate voter registration. These reforms build on the state’s recent progress in giving New Yorkers greater opportunities to participate in their democracy. They will help boost voter engagement, improve voter service, and promote a better-informed electorate.
“The State of New York has lately gone from a laggard to leader in the fight for democracy. Since 2019, our leaders in Albany have championed vital reforms, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York and a small donor public campaign financing program, both of which stand as models for the rest of the nation to follow.
“We applaud our state’s leaders for their continued commitment to modernizing voting and election administration in New York State. But there’s much more to be done to build the strong, inclusive democracy that New Yorkers deserve. We urge them to keep working to strengthen our state’s democracy.”
Related Brennan Center resources:
