“Apparently, mandate relief is only a campaign talking point for Gov. Cuomo as he continues to flip-flop on the issue, first vetoing the indigent legal services bill and now proposing a disastrous cost on already-strained local governments. In a continuation of the governor’s preparation for a 2020 presidential run, he has proposed early voting and same-day registration for counties and local governments.

“These measures are aimed at increasing voter turnout but have potentially catastrophic consequences, such as voter fraud and a high cost for a low increase in voter participation. A better solution would be a no-fault absentee ballot, which would allow early voting though the already-established absentee ballot process in New York State. This would accomplish the goal of expanding the potential for voter participation without forcing another cost on our property taxpayers. The governor needs to start thinking like a taxpayer instead of a politician.”