Today, nearly 100 volunteers led by NYC Votes traveled to Albany to urge state lawmakers to modernize how New Yorkers register to vote and cast their ballots. Working with more than a dozen partner organizations, NYC Votes organized the second annual #VoteBetterNY Advocacy Day for Election Reform. Volunteers met with legislators to share their personal voting experiences and how they could be improved with reform of New York’s antiquated voting laws.
“New Yorkers are living in the smartphone century but our elections are stuck in the pen-and-paper era. It’s time for that to change. We have a voter participation crisis in our state and New Yorkers expect lawmakers to take action on improving our voting system this year,” said Onida Coward Mayers, Director of Voter Assistance at the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
Specifically, NYC Votes advocates called on lawmakers to adopt the following common-sense reforms:
- Expand Online Voter Registration: New York needs a modern, efficient voter registration system that keeps up with the 21st century lives of all eligible voters. Expanding online voter registration beyond the DMV to the Board of Elections will ensure that any eligible voter can quickly register online.
- Enact Better Ballot Design: New York’s strict ballot design specifications were written for voting machines we no longer use. New Yorkers deserve modern design standards that provide more readable ballots.
- Implement Early Voting: At least 35 states allow for some form of early voting; nearly one in three voters cast their ballot before Election Day in 2012. It allows voters more flexibility and convenience in casting their ballots, ensuring that voters have more time to get to the polls.
”Dominicanos USA exists to expand and strengthen the franchise in our community. We’re here today to ensure that the democratic process is as accessible as possible,” said Eddie Cuesta, New York Director of Dominicanos USA. “To get New Yorkers back to the polls, we need to embrace a new vision of voting rights for the 21st century. We can address our turnout crisis by building an election system that is accessible, responsive, and focused on voters’ needs.”
Queens resident Noor Unisa Javid, a student at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, joined NYC Votes for #VoteBetterNY Advocacy Day. “The act of voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. Making it easier for New Yorkers to participate in the democratic process and become civically engaged must be on top of our legislators’ agenda. I’m glad to be in Albany today to deliver this message in person,” she said.
“Our democracy depends on all New Yorkers having the ability to cast timely and informed votes. I implore my legislators to rally around the reforms that can make it happen,” said Crystal Valentine, New York City’s 2015 Youth Poet Laureate. Valentine is a Bronx native and a student at New York University.
“Expanding online voter registration is a crucial step in broadening participation in civic life generally, including community organizing, grassroots advocacy, and leadership development,” said Mazeda A. Uddin, national women’s coordinator at the Alliance of South Asian American Labor. Uddin is a member of the New York City Campaign Finance Board’s Voter Assistance Advisory Committee.
Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh said, “Our registration and election system present unnecessary obstacles that leave many New Yorkers feeling confused and discouraged from participating in our democratic process. I sponsor a number of bills to help ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to have their voices heard and it’s great that, for a second year, NYC Votes has brought together a diverse group of advocates to bring their experiences to the capital and push for these kinds of improvements. I look forward to continuing to work with NYC Votes until we have truly transformed the voting experience.”
Our Advocacy Day partners include the following:
- Alliance Of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., East Kings County Alumnae Chapter
- Dominicanos USA
- Live On New York;
- Bronx Community Board 3
- Citizens Union
- Urban Word
- TWU Local 100
- NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch
- NYCLU - New York Civil Liberties Union
- League of Women Voters
- Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
- Chinese American Voters Federation
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Guttman Community College
- Generation Citizen
- Organizing for Action -Bronx Chapter
- City University of New York
- Brooklyn College
- NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
- MinKwon Center for Community Action
- Rugby Neighborhood Alliance
For more on the #VoteBetterNY 2015 agenda, read our latest blog post. Track the NYC Votes team’s progress in the state capitol on Wednesday by following us on Twitter and Facebook. New Yorkers can add their voices to our reform movement by using the #VoteBetterNY hashtag.
NYC Votes is the nonpartisan voter engagement campaign of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC). In addition to promoting voter registration, participation, and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships, NYC Votes sponsors the city’s official Debate Program and produces the citywide Voter Guide.