You are reading

Cuomo Signs Gianaris Bill Establishing Automatic Voter Registration in New York

Voters cast their ballot at a polling site in South Ozone Park on Election Day. (Michael Appleton/ Mayoral Photography Office)

Dec. 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law today that establishes an automatic voter registration system in New York.

The new law — sponsored by state Sen. Michael Gianaris — requires specific state agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), to established an automatic voter registration system.

The law aims to expedite and streamline voter registration and, in turn, increase voter turnout.

For example, a New Yorker applying for a license through the DMV would be automatically registered to vote.

New Yorkers will have the option to opt out of voter registration, but voter registration will be initiated automatically when they apply for a license or another service.

For voters already registered, they can update any address changes for their vote in the same manner.

The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023. New York will join 18 other states which have similar automatic voter registration laws.

“Access to the ballot box should be easy and fair, and enacting Automatic Voter Registration will go a long way towards improving voter participation,” Gianaris said in a statement. “I am proud and thankful that the Governor has signed this bill, paving the way for over a million more New Yorkers to vote.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com

4 Comments

Click for Comments 
Miggie Warms

Good question. Also, how does the state agency know which party, if any, the new voter wants as affiliation? Would default be Independent? Or is a greater degree of participation in the registration process by the voter required than can be inferred from this article? (Which would mean, not really “automatic,” just a trigger of the start of the registration process.) Many state agencies have offered voter registration forms to clients for many years, including the DMV.

Reply
Marian Spatz

How does a Driver’s License prove the holder is a US Citizen ;
Please explain how. thank you

10
Reply
Patricia

You asking Democrats for an explanation? Prepare for a biggest nonanswer you’ve ever heard in your life.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Former client sentenced for murdering prominent immigration attorney in his Flushing law office: DA

A Flushing woman was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for stabbing her immigration attorney to death in 2022, just days after he dropped her as a client, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.

Xiaoning Zhang, 27, of Kissena Boulevard, was found guilty by a jury last month of murder in the second degree and other related crimes for fatally stabbing 66-year-old Jim Li, a prominent lawyer known for his legal work and activism during the Tiananmen Square uprising in the People’s Republic of China in 1989. Trial openings began on Sept. 9, 2024, and closings occurred on Sept. 19, 2024. The jury deliberated for one day.

DA Katz introduces Kimi, the facility dog providing comfort to Queens crime victims

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz introduced one of the newest members of her team on Wednesday as part of her office’s public information campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Kimi, a 2-year-old golden retriever/Labrador retriever, has been appointed as a facility dog to provide comfort and companionship to crime victims and witnesses. “Kimi has been an extraordinary addition to our team here at the Queens District Attorney’s Office,” Katz said. “She’s affectionate, highly trained, and has already assisted survivors and witnesses and put them at ease.”

Mets to host playoff watch parties at Citi Field

Oct. 3, 2024 By Ethan Marshall

As the New York Mets look to clinch a trip to the National League Division Series Wednesday night in Milwaukee, the team announced that beginning as early as Thursday, Oct. 3, Citi Field will be hosting watch parties of select away games during the playoffs.