NEW YORK EASES ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUIREMENTS

PRESS RELEASE

04-15-10 - There was a major victory for all New York State voters yesterday. The State Senate passed a bill that eases the requirements for absentee ballot voting in NY State. The assembly passed the same bill in February. Governor Paterson is expected to sign the bill into law shortly.

The bill removes the requirement that applicants for an absentee ballot disclose those personal details of their need for it, which invade their privacy and compromise their safety and security.

The bill was written by Kathleen O'Keefe who recently successfully defended the rights of Columbia County absentee voters.

Local Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro and State Senator Stephen Saland both voted no on the bill. 

Common Cause praised the passage of the bill: "Common Cause/NY applauds the Senate for passing these long overdue election reforms. They remove unnecessary impediments and inconveniences that make it harder for New Yorkers to be able to vote and help streamline election and campaign procedures. As long-time supporters of no-excuse absentee voting, we are particularly pleased by the passage of S2868B (Addabbo), which simplifies the absentee ballot application process. That bill has already passed the Assembly and we look forward to celebrating its signing into law.

Submitted by the Columbia County Democratic Committee