The message is clear: our voting system has fallen behind the times. Now is the time to make it easier to cast a timely, informed vote. For too long, that message has gone unheeded in Albany. Instead of headlines lauding reforms to strengthen our democracy, the news is filled with reports that discourage voters and dampen their faith in their elected officials.
We were disappointed at the defeat in the Senate Elections Committee of the “Voter Empowerment Act” (SB-619) which would simplify dramatically voting experience for millions of voters in our city and state.
Thankfully there is still time in this year’s session for lawmakers to make real progress on these issues. New Yorkers expect the voting experience to catch up to modern life.
“I am excited to be in Albany to speak with our legislators about the urgency of passing voting reform in New York,” said Onida Coward Mayers, Director of Voter Assistance at the Campaign Finance Board. “I have heard too many times the difficulties New Yorkers have in exercising their right to vote and I urge legislators to pass these much-needed changes.”
NYC Votes is urging lawmakers to implement the following common-sense reforms:
- Establish early voting – Early voting was a key recommendation in the bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration and 32 states around the country already allow voters to cast ballots early.
- Improve 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.
- Modernize voter registration – New York needs a modern, efficient system for registering voters that includes automatic registration at designated government agencies, automatic updates to registration information when voters move within the state, universal online registration, and online access to registration records.
- Allow 16- and 17- year olds to pre-register to vote – Youth voter participation is traditionally low, particularly in local elections. Allowing youth to pre-register will help ensure they are ready to vote when the time comes and make civic engagement programs in our schools more effective.
- Adopt instant runoff voting – Traditional runoff elections are costly and have low turnout. Instant runoff voting would save money and ensure that all voters can participate, especially military, absentee, and overseas voters, who are typically left out of runoff elections.
Our Advocacy Day partners include the following:
- Alliance of South Asian American Labor
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
- Delta Sigma Theta, East Alumnae
- Every Vote Counts
- Generation Citizen
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- NAACP, Brooklyn Branch
- New York Public Interest Research Group
- The City University of New York, University Student Senate
- The New York City League of Women Voters
- Youth Civic Leadership Academy
NYC Votes is asking New Yorkers to use social media to urge their representatives to adopt these improvements by sending tweets or Facebook messages using the hashtag #VoteBetterNY.
NYC Votes will be welcomed to Albany by State Senator Michael Gianaris, State Senator Kevin Parker, and Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh. NYC Youth Poet Laureate Ramya Ramana will make a special performance during a 12:00 PMlunch reception.
Ramya Ramana, the 2014 NYC Youth Poet Laureate said, “Young people must be given the platform upon which they can vote and be engaged in what is happening in their communities. Modernizing voter registration, and allowing youth to pre-register, and vote early will show young people the importance of themselves and their contributions to the community.”
“The strength of our state’s democracy rests first upon the strength of its voting system and its capacity to allow all citizens to participate in the political process,” said Sarah Andes, the NYC Site Director of Generation Citizen. “This is an important day, hopefully with lasting effects for the constituents of New York.”
“NYC Votes helped me register so that I could vote for the first time in 2012,” said Khadijah Cudjoe, a student at Prairie View A&M University. “I’m so proud to take part in this effort to make it easier for young New Yorkers like me to make their voices heard when they turn 18.”
“Across the country, states are enacting laws to restrict ballot access. We have an opportunity in New York to lead in voting reform by enacting laws that increase civic participation,” said L. Joy Williams, President, Brooklyn Branch, NAACP. “For more than a century, the NAACP has fought tirelessly to protect the rights of everyday Americans to participate in the political process. Improving voter registration and providing additional time for voters to cast their ballots through early voting sends a message to New Yorkers that their participation in government is welcome and that their vote counts.”
“Cultivating civic engagement in youth and the communities is vital to maintaining a thriving political and cultural environment,” said Hillary McAndrew Plate, Assistant Director of Educational and Community Partnerships at Lincoln Center Education. “Keeping the voice of youth in the public eye, cultivating an awareness of the role they play in the future of our state, of the arts, and in their local communities should be a top priority of any citizen or organization with the means to encourage them. Their voices and votes will determine the shape of our future legislature and local environment. I couldn’t be prouder to participate with NYC Votes in an effort to ensure that their voices are heard beyond the five boroughs.”
“I see everyday how civic interaction enhances one’s life,” said Jaime Cobham, first-year student at Harvard University. “Voting is the underbelly of what binds us together as a society. Students should be and must be engaged in this process at earlier ages. I am proud I was.”
Mazeda A. Uddin from Alliance of South Asian American Labor said, “I am very excited about the concept of pre-registering 16 and 17-years-olds. When they turn 18, they are automatically registered to vote. This will increase voter turnout, civic participation, and youth engagement in the political process.”
Princess Jackson Airhiacbere of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Rho Omega said, “Voting in New York should be easier than it is and we are pleased to be part of this effort to push for change.”
Penny Farer of Every Vote Counts said, “Starting the conversation early about voting allows students to discover the relevance of the vote in their own lives. When we, at Every Vote Counts, worked as volunteers in high school classroom, we found that students were responsive and excited about becoming active and influential citizens.”
NYC Votes is the non-partisan 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.