New York State is poised to adopt many new pieces of legislation around voting regulations and rights at the start of this year. Senator Shelley Mayer, who represents parts of Yonkers, had two election reform bills adopted by the senate in the larger piece of legislation.
In recent years voting in the state of New York has seen massive changes. Automatic voter registration, early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, etc have all markedly changed how New Yorkers exercise their will at the ballot box. At the start of this legislative session, the New York State Senate debated a litany of changes yet again.
The senator from the 37th district included two bills in this broader package. The first requires Commissioners of County Boards of Elections to be full time employees. Having these commissioners be full-time, Shelley argues, will reduce conflicts of interest and allow them to focus 100% on the duties to which they are entrusted. The second bill also relates to reducing conflicts of interest. Legislation S612 prevents an employee of the board of elections to remain in that position while running for office overseen by that same board.
The election reform package passed on Monday Jan 9.
