In an attempt to remove barriers to voting, Gov. Andrew Cuomo will propose the state adopt plans for early voting. The governor said the move would make voting easier by requiring counties to provide at least one day of polling during the 12 days leading up to an election. His proposal also included plans for automatic voter registration and same day registration. … Cuomo’s early voting proposal is one of several proposals the governor has made in advance of his State of the State addresses that he will conduct in various locations beginning Monday.
… The early voting proposal will require counties to have one early voting poll site for every 50,000 residents. A bipartisan county boards of elections will determine the location of early voting polling places by considering accessibility and convenience.
Since November, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has been touting early voting. Last month, his Civil Rights Bureau released a report that found that New Yorkers face some of the highest barriers to voting including long lines at polls.
… In addition to Cuomo’s proposal, Schneider said he would like to see the state provide online registration, consolidate its three primary days into one, allow New Yorkers to vote in the party primary of their choice and ensure uniform polling hours at every site.
Full Article: Early voting pushed by Cuomo as State of State tour kicks off | Albany Times Union.