New York Insider: New York State Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti 92nd District: NYS Assemblyman Abinanti Renews Call for Alternatives to In-Person Election Petitioning.

 

February 3, 2021  Abinanti  Renews Call for Alternatives to In-Person Election Petitioning             “The COVID-19 virus makes it unsafe for face-to- face interactions," said Assemblymember Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh) today as he introduced additional legislation to give candidates alternative ways to get on the election ballot in place of the traditional approach of a campaign worker approaching registered voters in-person and witnessing their signature in-person on a petition.                Abinanti’s legislation would allow for “virtual petitioning,” which would allow registered voters to sign a petition under the supervision of a witness by electronic means – Zoom, FaceTime, etc.             “While the Legislature has reduced the number of signatures,” said Abinanti, “the need to obtain even a reduced number in-person requires some face-to-face contact which is not wise during this pandemic.”               Here is Abinanti speaking on the floor of the Legislature presenting his proposal.