They said it couldn't be done . . . but together, we made history!
Together, Let NY Vote grassroots activists & coalition partners changed history — by changing the conversation in New York, and by advocating for the passage of a dozen landmark voting rights reforms — the first in New York in over a century.
As a result of your hard work, New Yorkers will now have more time to vote, an easier time voting, and modern voter registration systems.
MORE TIME TO VOTE
early voting
Before: 37 states had early voting, New York did not.
What we won: New York has nine days of early voting before every election, including the two weekends prior to the election, ending the Sunday before. The State also provides dedicated funding, and not ask counties to rely on other cost savings, to ensure seamless implementation. The state allocates at least $10 million for early voting.
Why it mattered: Eased the pressure on polling sites during election day, gave New Yorkers more time to vote, and made access to voting more equitable.
Uniform polling hours during primary elections
Before: Currently, the vast majority of the state can only vote from 12pm to 9pm during a primary election.
What we won: All New Yorkers can vote from 6am to 9pm during a primary election.
Why it mattered: All New Yorkers should have the same amount of time to cast their ballot. Confusion about poll hours led to disenfranchisement of entire populations.
early voting by mail
Before: New Yorkers could only access an absentee ballot if they were sick, had a disability or would be out of their district during the election season.
What we won: Since 2023, all New Yorkers can vote-by-mail during the early voting period and must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the local board of elections now later than seven days after the election.
Why it mattered: Whether you’re a parent balancing work and childcare, a busy student maintaining several extracurriculars between classes, or just trying to find a quieter time to visit the polls, New Yorkers should not have to sacrifice the right to vote when life gets in the way. Early voting by mail also provides convenience to avoid crowded public spaces, delays, or inclement weather and last-minute scheduling that can hinder your ability to vote on Election Day.
AN EASIER TIME VOTING
ConsolidatED Primaries
Before: New York was the only state that had two separate days for the state and federal primaries.
What we won: There is one primary date for each election cycle instead of two.
Why it mattered: Cut costs and made voting in the primaries less confusing and easier for voters to fit into their schedule.
VOTER FRIENDLY BALLOTS
Before: Ballots in New York can be confusing and difficult to read.
What we won: The Voter Friendly Ballot Act, written in consultation with specialists in the fields of graphic design, user experience, and disability accommodation, made significant improvements to the readability and layout of the ballot. These changes was to help eliminate visual clutter, increase font size, and emphasize the most important parts of the ballot like candidate names and party affiliation.
Why it mattered: New Yorkers should be able to vote with clear, legible and easy to understand ballots.
SHORTEned the PARTY ENROLLMENT DEADLINE
Before: New York’s party enrollment deadline was the most restrictive in the country; New Yorkers needed to enroll in a political party eleven months before a primary election.
What we won: We slashed the party enrollment deadline by more than half for the majority of our elections to enable New York’s current party enrollment deadline at February 14th, four months before the state and federal primary and two months before the presidential primary.
Why it mattered: Every New York voter was hobbled by this absurd deadline. This was an important step towards giving voters more time to enroll in a party before a primary election.
ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS
Before: Paper voter rolls were required for all counties on Election Day and were prone to error, causing confusion and long waits.
What we won: Counties can use electronic poll books if they choose to. The state has allocated at least $14.7 million to support counties switching to e-pollbooks.
Why it mattered: Electronic poll books were proven to save voters time at poll sites, increase the accuracy of voter rolls, and save money over the years. They were also critical for many counties implementing early voting.
MODERN VOTER
REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
Online voter registration
Before: New York voters were only able to register or update their voter registration through an online DMV portal if they have a license.
What we won: Since 2021, New Yorkers can register to vote through the State Board of Elections website.
Why it mattered: Online voter registration allows all New Yorkers the option to register online, not just those who have a DMV issued ID. It also streamlined the registration process for the Board of Elections and set the stage for proper implementation of Automatic Voter Registration.
Pre-Registration of 16 & 17 Year Olds
Before: 16 and 17 year-olds had to wait until they turned 18 to register to vote.
What we won: Since 2020, New York allows teens 16 years or older to preregister to vote, and the Board of Elections will automatically register those individuals once they turn 18.
Why it mattered: Encouraged voting and made it easier for young adults to get involved and vote. People who get involved in voting younger were more likely to become lifelong voters.
Registration Portability
Before: When New Yorkers moved to a different county they had to re-register in order to vote at their new address.
What we won: The Board of Elections automatically updates the registration of voters who move within New York State and fill out a change of address with USPS.
Why it mattered: Allowed New Yorkers who move to vote at their new address without having to re-register.
AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION
Before: Registering to vote is a cumbersome process and our voter rolls are out of date.
What we won: Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) registers eligible New Yorkers to vote when they interact with a government agency (i.e., the DMV, Department of Health), unless they opt out.
Why it mattered: Participating in our democracy should never be an opt-in process, and AVR could turn more than one million New Yorkers into one million new voters. New York needed a model that was implemented at multiple government agencies and provided adequate safeguards to protect our most vulnerable populations.
golden Day voter Registration
Before: The deadline to register to vote in New York is 25 days before the election. Currently the New York State constitution prohibits a registration date less than 10 days before the election, so same day registration wouldn’t be possible with standing law.
What we won: Since 2023, New Yorkers that register to vote on March 23 (presidential primary), June 15 (federal, state, and local primary), and October 26 (general election) can also early vote on the same day! All those eligible to register to vote in New York State may use an affidavit ballot AND vote on March 23, June 15, and October 26.
Why this mattered: Encouraged voter turnout and allows more New Yorkers to participate in governmental decisions.
MORE WINS & FIRST STEPS
Same Day Registration
Before: The deadline to register to vote in New York is 25 days before the election. Currently the New York State constitution prohibits a registration date less than 10 days before the election, so same day registration wouldn’t be possible with standing law.
What we won: A first step toward a constitutional amendment removing the ten-day requirement for voter registration.
Why it mattered: Encourages voter turnout and allows more New Yorkers to participate in governmental decisions.
What’s next: Constitutional amendments in New York need to pass the legislature in two consecutive sessions and then go to the voters as a ballot referendum.
FUNDING FOR EARLY VOTING & ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS
What we won: The state provides funding to counties for the implementation of voting: $10 million for early voting and $14.7 million for electronic poll books. The funding can also be used for on demand ballot printers, updated machinery, and other structural investments.
Why it mattered: Early voting was passed after counties had already set their 2019 budgets, so they needed state support to cover start-up and implementation costs when it goes into effect this year.
What’s next: We need to make sure early voting is successfully and equitably implemented on the county level.