As Primary Nears, New York Officials Want Changes to State Voting Laws

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer says the state ranks 48th out of 50 for voter turnout, just 58 percent of New Yorkers voted in the last presidential election, and only one in four in the midterms. Stringer says there's a reason for that: "It's because our voting laws make it harder not easier for our expanding electorate to vote."  

Stringer joined members of Congress, state lawmakers and city council members to call for a slew of changes to the state's voting laws they say will expand access and increase turnout. They're calling for early voting, no-excuse absentee ballots, same-day registration on Election Day, and automatic registration at places like the Department of Motor Vehicles, SUNY and CUNY. They also want improvements at the Board of Elections, including more training for poll workers, ballots that are easier to understand, and materials printed in additional languages to serve New Yorkers with limited English proficiency. 

Democratic legislators have proposed bills to address these issues, but say they've faced opposition from some Republicans.

Susan Lerner, executive director of the government watchdog group Common Cause New York, say both parties should do more to advance these initiatives. "These are the kinds of election reforms that other states have adopted," she said. "They're very popular with voters."