Editorial: Governor must take lead in changing anti-democracy rules
New York has a problem with democracy. It begins with burdensome voting policies and ends with voter apathy. The consequence is disengagement. Fixing those problems lands squarely in the lap of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo…
Commentary: New state Legislature should fast-track voting reforms
This past Election Day, New Yorkers sent a loud and clear message to Albany that they want change. By voting to transform the power dynamic that has stymied New York for decades,…
Lessons Learned from an Election Cycle: Can We Make Voting Easier?
As advocates push for election reform in New York, Errol Louis examined lessons from around the country with Myrna Pérez of the Brennan Center's Democracy Program and reporter Ari Berman of Mother Jones.
New York’s Horrific Voting Laws Might Actually Get Changed
New York State Democrats say they plan to quickly push reforms to the state’s antiquated voting laws when they take complete control of the state legislature in January, encouraging advocates in a state where reform has long been stymied.
Letter: Urge New York state legislators to support voting reform
New York state legislators, on Tuesday, Dec. 11, will gather in advance of next year’s session to set their agenda. There is hope that 2019 will be the year of equitable voting. We citizens have an obligation to inform our representatives of our priorities: increased participation in voting and equity of influence not based on money.
In this last election cycle, just seven billionaires gave over $30 million in campaign contributions to legislative candidates throughout the state to block legislation that would have those billionaires pay their fair share of taxes, such as the carried interest loophole (Hedge Clippers). So what hope is there for the average citizen? The answer lies with campaign finance reform: matching campaign funds with some degree of public funds saves the taxpayer money by reducing pay to play and ensuring laws that favor citizens not corporation.
Thirty-seven states have early voting. Sixteen have automatic voter registration. Forty-nine have flexibility in party change affiliation and have only one primary for federal and state offices. New York has none of this. Remember voting day, snowy roads, the winter viruses that pop up, the shortened daylight? Shouldn’t police, fire fighters, emergency workers, commuters, mothers of young children, care givers, and seniors who are fragile have increased participation in voting?
Call your New York State Senators: Peter Harkham (914-241-4600) and Sue Serino (845-229-0106); your New York State Assembly Members: Did Barrett (845-454-1703), Kieran Lalor (845-221-2202), Jonathan Jacobsen (845-562-0888), and Kevin Cahill (845-338-9610) to tell them to enact laws that increase participation in voting.
Anne McCabe
LeGrangevill
Poughkeepsie Journal, December 9, 2018
Opinion: Restore voting rights now, N.Y.: A basic civil rights reform still lags in our progressive state
Back in April, at National Action Network's national convention, Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order granting the right to vote to New Yorkers on parole. It was a meaningful step forward…
Rod Watson: End voter suppression? New York is a good place to start
After watching recent voter suppression efforts in other states, residents in "progressive" New York probably feel pretty smug…
Advocates Push For Early Voting In NY
Democrats who will run the state Senate in January say a top priority will be to expand access to voting in New York. Advocates say there are several steps they can take…
Opinion: There’s no excuse for New York’s pitiful election system
As the election recedes from the news cycle, we can’t be so preoccupied with the winners and losers of the horse race that we again lose sight of the potholes on the race track. This year…
Agenda 2019: High Hopes for Long-Awaited Reforms
The 2018 election cycle in New York laid bare the myriad failings of the state’s political system that advocates and reform-minded elected officials have…