News Clips

"The deadline is crucial in order to make sure that the Board can purchase the necessary upgrades to the existing voting machines for ranked-choice voting," said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York.

Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, said the state needs to expand early voting and streamline the process for absentee voting to ensure elections are held fairly and safely.

“Tuesday’s election in Wisconsin was an avoidable travesty that need not occur in New York. With foresight and planning, like expanding absentee voting and increasing early voting days and poll sites, voters will be able to exercise their democratic rights without risking their lives,” Sarah Goff, the deputy director of Common Cause New York told Spectrum News.

Common Cause/NY, a reform group, backed legislation advanced by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, D-the Bronx, to make it easier for New Yorkers to qualify for absentee voting. The group also recommended New York double the number of early voting days from nine to 18 to increase voter participation.

Common Cause wants to make sure what happened in Wisconsin doesn’t happen in New York. Deputy Director of Common Cause NY Sarah Goff says New York should expand early voting from 9 to 18 days, and increase access to absentee ballots, but also ensure voters who choose to cast ballots in person can do so. “With more time to vote and additional poll sites, we’re confident that we can disperse voters, reduce density, protect public health, and meet the goal of holding our elections safely and securely,” said Goff.

Common Cause, an election watchdog group, applauded the Cuomo’s action, but said the state should expand absentee by law, not just a governor’s executive order, which is easily undone. “This is a great start, however, New York cannot be ruled by executive order alone,” the group wrote on Twitter. It has been urging lawmakers to continue the 2020 legislative session by convening remotely rather than adjourning because of the pandemic.