Assemblymembers
Lancman and Brennan to Introduce Bills to Allow Early Voting and “No-Excuse”
Mail-In Voting in New York State
November 12, 2008
State Assemblymembers Rory Lancman (D–Queens) and Jim Brennan (D–Brooklyn)
announced today that they are introducing legislation to allow for "early
voting" and "mail-in voting" in the State of New York to address serious
shortcomings and inefficiencies in New York's election process.
Currently 28 States allow no-excuse mail-in voting and more than 30 states offer
early voting. In last week’s National election approximately 40 million people
voted early, which amounts to 30% of all voters. In some counties, the number of
2008 early voters surpassed the number of all 2004 voters.
“The results of the National Election show that early and mail-in voting have
created great new opportunities for Americans to participate in elections. New
York State should offer these same opportunities. Early and mail-in voting will
increase participation by reducing long lines and other difficulties that voters
encounter at the polls on Election Day,” stated Brennan.
“We all know that New York is just one close election away from becoming the
next "Florida in 2000" or "Ohio in 2004." Indeed, New York’s election machinery
was badly strained by the presidential election – at many polling sites there
were lines lasting an hour or more. Allowing early voting and voting by mail are
two simple ways we can reduce the pressure on our election system and guarantee
that the democratic process runs smoothly,” said Lancman.
Assemblymember Brennan’s proposal is a State Constitutional amendment. If both
bills become law, New York State voters will be able to vote early by mail-in
ballots without having to provide an excuse for requesting such a ballot or,
will be able to vote in person no sooner than 10 days prior to Election Day at
county board of elections.
