"The continued impact of the COVID-19 virus has made it unsafe for group gatherings large and small, and face to face interactions," said Assemblymember Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh) today as he introduced a comprehensive COVID-19 election reform bill. "It is the Legislature’s responsibility to ensure that the election process is safe and secure and accessible to all voters."
This legislation will authorize and establish procedures for remotely conducting all nominations and elections for county, town or village public offices for elections held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 virus and ensure safe, and fair elections that maximize participation. This legislation, in some respects, is similar to many of the Governor’s executive orders issued last year but not yet re-issued this year. This legislation will adapt our current election laws to ensure that our democratic process can continue to operate during the pandemic safely and securely.
Among other things, this legislation would:
1. allow political parties to nominate, not just designate, candidates at a convention of county committee members;
2. reduce the number of petition signatures required for designation and nomination of candidates to 70% of the statutory requirement;
3. permit remote and hybrid (remote plus in-person) party committee meetings;
4. authorize absentee ballots due to the COVID pandemic for all elections;
5. require boards of elections to mail absentee ballots with postpaid return envelopes to all registered voters and make it easier for voters to request absentee ballots by mail, on line and by telephone;
6. Double the number of early voting locations and require all early voting locations to remain open until 9 pm.
"Maximizing safe and fair elections is critical to the continued functioning of our government and democracy," said Abinanti.
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