Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced he is sponsoring a bill to bring early voting to New York State (A.689). The proposed law would allow New York State to join the 32 other states across the country, along with the District of Columbia, that permit an alternative to in-person voting on election days.

“Several other states have proven that early voting increases voter participation and it’s time for NY to enact early voting.” Assemblyman Stirpe said. “We need to make sure every voice is heard and early voting is a good solution. I was encouraged to see Governor Cuomo address early voting in his State of the State speech.”

The Assembly bill would direct county boards of elections to designate at least five polling places for voters to cast an early ballot. These locations would be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the two weeks prior to a general election and the week prior to primary or special elections, including weekend days. Ballots cast during the early voting period would be counted at the close of the polls on Election Day and included in the election-night tally.

“One of the main objectives of the League of Women Voters is to get people to exercise their right to vote. Our leagues all across the state are in support of legislation that makes voting easier and more convenient for our citizens,” said Joan Johnson, Public Relations Director of the Syracuse Metro League of Women Voters. “We lag behind other states in voter reform and therefore have one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation. Early voting will help to turn that trend around and increase voter turn-out in New York.”

“Early voting is a great way to get more people involved in our democracy,” Assemblyman Stirpe said. “Staying open through the weekend would give New Yorkers with an unconventional work schedule a better opportunity to vote.

To make voting as convenient as possible, the five polling places designated as early voting locations should be situated in highly trafficked areas like schools, supermarkets, libraries or other accessible community locations, noted Assemblyman Stirpe. Early voting would also give people with disabilities easier access to polling places and cut down on the need for absentee ballots.