Anyone who cares about democracy watched yesterday's news coverage of the Wisconsin presidential primary with horror. The city of Milwaukee reduced the number of polling stations from 180 to only five, and partisan majorities on both the Wisconsin and U.S. Supreme Courts prohibited extending the state's absentee voting deadlines. This forced voters to decide between protecting their health and exercising their constitutional right to vote.
Pictures of blocks-long lines of socially-distanced voters, many waiting hours to vote on a rainy election day only reinforces the logic of voting by mail.
New York State's absentee voting rules are embedded in the state's constitution, and typically limit the reasons voters may apply for an absentee ballot.
But Governor Cuomo announced today that he is issuing an executive order that will allow voters to apply for, and cast, absentee ballots by mail for the state's legislative, congressional, and presidential primary on June 23, using "illness" as a reason.
This is good news for New Yorkers. And democracy.
Pictures of blocks-long lines of socially-distanced voters, many waiting hours to vote on a rainy election day only reinforces the logic of voting by mail.
New York State's absentee voting rules are embedded in the state's constitution, and typically limit the reasons voters may apply for an absentee ballot.
But Governor Cuomo announced today that he is issuing an executive order that will allow voters to apply for, and cast, absentee ballots by mail for the state's legislative, congressional, and presidential primary on June 23, using "illness" as a reason.
This is good news for New Yorkers. And democracy.
Monty Bannerman
Managing Director
Tel: +1 646-402-5076
Managing Director
Tel: +1 646-402-5076
Cell: +1 305-984-1177
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