The first order of business for the now Democratically-controlled legislature in Albany: Getting New York caught up with the 38 other states that allow early voting.

"It would mean that rather than having to take time off work or schedule your life around one day of voting, you could do it days beforehand, hopefully sometime in the evening or on weekends," Sean Morales-Doyle, an attorney with the Brennan Center for Justice, told WNYC.

On Monday, New York lawmakers are expected to pass a handful of voting reform laws, including measures to hold state and federal primaries on the same day and a constitutional amendment to allow registration on Election Day.

In addition, voting reform advocates hope that New York will go beyond getting up to speed with other states, and become a leader in providing access to voting. 

"We're looking for automatic voter registration, we're looking for New York to restore voting rights to people on parole, and we're looking for a more voter-friendly ballot," said Morales-Doyle. "A lot of us who voted in New York City this last time around saw that things are pretty crazy with a two-page perforated ballot."

For voting reforms to translate to higher participation, boosting registration may not be enough. Gothamist reported last November that as voter registration in New York City has risen, turnout has declined.

Morales-Doyle spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake.