Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and, here in New York, I’m fighting to increase transparency and ensure that more people can participate in our elections. This year in the Assembly, I’ve voted to pass bills that would close the limited liability corporation (LLC) loophole, bring voter registration into the 21st century, and help more people get to the polls.

To help ensure representatives are working for the people and not wealthy special interests, I co-sponsored legislation to apply the campaign contribution limit for corporations to LLCs as well (A.9758-A). Currently, individuals and corporations can skirt the limit and make unlimited contributions to the same candidate by creating multiple LLCs. This bill would ensure LLCs are held to the same $5,000 aggregate limit that applies to corporations. It would also require that individuals with membership interests in LLCs be disclosed so that political donations are attributed to them.

Reaching the polls can be difficult for hardworking Central New Yorkers with busy schedules. That’s why I supported the passage of legislation to allow early voting during a seven-day period prior to any election (A.9608-B).

Polling locations would be required to be open for eight hours on weekdays and five hours on weekends and holidays, offering evening hours on at least two days, so more people have a chance to cast their ballot. To help counties implement this change, the state would commit $7 million if the bill becomes law. I also helped pass another bill to allow any citizen to receive an absentee ballot upon request (A.7623).

Further, the reforms include a measure to establish online voter registration in New York State, called the Voter Enfranchisement Modernization Act of 2018 (A.5382-A). By providing citizens with a chance to register online, we can encourage more people to get involved in our elections. It’s about time we moved past a paper-based system.

All those bills require further action from the senate. The budget also included another change that became law, requiring online political ads to follow the same rules as television and radio ad disclosures.

With social media a part of our daily lives, it’s important campaign laws reflect that. That’s why I fought for this new law that expands the definition of political communications to include paid internet and digital advertisements and requires all independent expenditures include a “paid for by” statement followed by the name of the committee paying for the ad. Further, it requires the state Board of Elections to keep a publicly available database of all digital ads purchased by independent expenditure committees.

Taking part in our democratic system shouldn’t be a path filled with hurdles. By modernizing our elections, we can help more New Yorkers vote and ensure our representatives are truly working for the people they serve.

I’ll always work to keep government honest and give community members a say. If you have any questions about this or any other issue, please feel free to contact me at 315-452-1115 or at StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.