Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) voted to move the 2018 state primary election date from Tuesday, Sept. 11, to Thursday, Sept. 13, out of respect for those who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as those celebrating Rosh Hashanah (A.8917-A).

“Sept. 11 will forever be a day of remembrance, a time to mourn our fellow New Yorkers whose lives were taken far too soon by an act of terrorism,” Assemblyman Thiele said. “It is also a day to honor the brave firefighters, EMTs and police officers who showed us the best of America during our darkest hours. Moving the primary election two days allows us to come together to show our respect to those who died and those who came to the rescue.”

New York State law requires that the state primary election be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September. This year, that date is Sept. 11, which is also the second day of Rosh Hashanah, marking the Jewish New Year. As was done in previous years, this measure recognizes and respects the significance of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the Jewish holiday, noted Assemblyman Thiele.

“Voting is our most important civic duty, and each and every New Yorker should be able to exercise this right freely and equally,” Assemblyman Thiele said. “This legislation helps break down barriers to voter participation by ensuring that people of all faiths can get to the polls if they choose to do so.”

The Assembly has routinely passed legislation to consolidate the state’s election calendar by combining the state and federal primary election dates to the fourth Tuesday in June (A.3052). This would not only prevent the primary from falling on Sept. 11 or Rosh Hashanah in the future, but would also save taxpayers an estimated $25 million, reduce the burden on county boards of elections and keep New York State compliant with the federal Military Overseas and Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act. Further, holding both primaries on the same date would make it easier for New Yorkers to vote, increasing voter turnout and strengthening our democracy, concluded Assemblyman Thiele.