RESOURCES

We are pleased to note the State Legislature, the Governor, and the New York State and local Boards of Elections took heed of the numerous problems in June and have responded to our recommendations through legislation, executive orders, and process improvements.

At the beginning of this legislative session, few could have anticipated the situation our state now faces with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to devastate our communities, weaken our economy and threaten our democratic processes. Now that the State Legislature has passed Automatic Voter Registration, we are calling on you to sign it in order to protect the integrity of New York’s elections well into the future.

It is our position that while there were undoubtedly unforced errors along the way, that overall, the Boards of Elections did a credible job of navigating unprecedented circumstances and did their best to rapidly scale up a previously sleepy absentee voting program. However, there is much to improve looking ahead to November in what is arguably the most consequential election in recent history.

Common Cause/NY urges the Legislature to make additional changes to the redistricting provision which will clarify and strengthen it, eliminating unconstitutional, contradictory and ambiguous language within the provision and minimizing the potential for litigation.

Common Cause/NY and others demand lawmakers protect upcoming elections.

New York's 2020 elections can proceed safely and securely in spite of the unprecedented challenges ahead.