MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF A.3351A

Bill Number:         A.3315A.

SPONSOR:                Lancman, et al

TITLE OF BILL:         An Act to amend the election law, in relation to enacting the "early voting act" ….

PROVISIONS:                        This bill would allow the public to vote at the county board of elections or at an alternate location fourteen days before a general, primary, or special election, in order to make it easier for citizens to vote and to ensure an orderly and efficient voting process on election day.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT:                      Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded to serve as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process. Accordingly, citizens’ access to the polls and the orderly administration of elections is part of our core mission to promote civic engagement and accountability in government.

Common Cause is a long-standing proponent of Early Voting and strongly supports its adoption in New York. Currently, 32 states have some form of early voting, which is popular with both the public and election officials in those states.  States as diverse as North Dakota, Florida, Ohio, and Texas all have early voting.  It has been used successfully in Chicago and in Los Angeles, illustrating that size of the voting population is no impediment.

The strongest argument for early voting is its convenience. Early voting encourages increased voter participation by increasing accessibility of the polls. Establishing an early voting period which is 2 weeks long will allow people with busy schedules or who have special needs a less hurried and more controlled way to cast their ballot at a time of their choosing. Those who have long commutes, earn an hourly wage, work split shifts, have responsibility for children or invalids, or have heavy time constraints can use early voting to participate when they have the most time, such as during the week-end. Those with special physical or language needs may find it easier to vote early, when they will be under less time and crowd pressure and when poll-workers can spend more time providing assistance.  Because of the news coverage which surrounded early voting in swing states like Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina during the 2008 presidential election, many New Yorkers are familiar with the concept and have questioned why their state has not yet adopted this reform to make voting easier and more convenient.

Early Voting provides significant benefits in election administration as well.  Studies have shown that it is easier and cheaper to administer than traditional election day-only voting and results in a more accurate vote count.  Certainly, allowing voters to cast their ballots over a two week period significantly alleviates the strains of administering the election on one day only, resulting in quicker and easier voting on Election Day.  Additionally, the longer period allows election authorities the opportunity to identify and fix problems which may arise with voting equipment or the ballot in advance of Election Day.  Officials can troubleshoot problems which arise and fix them, either through equipment repair or exchange, or through targeted voter education and information, avoiding potentially disastrous surprises on Election Day, when there is little opportunity for considered solutions. 

Properly administered, early voting is as safe as other election procedures.  A3315A requires that early voting be by paper ballot and provides that the procedure for early voting be monitored and administered by representatives of the two major parties, thus safe-guarding the reliability of the procedure and the resulting vote.  Indeed, in many states with early voting, professional staff, rather than volunteers, serve as poll-workers for early voting, lessening the chance of problems with procedures and ballot custody even further.

Common Cause/NY strongly supports the passage of A3315A and urges your support of the bill.

            Please contact Susan Lerner at (212) 691-6421 with any questions.