Res. No. 307
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would authorize Same-Day Voter Registration in New York, allowing eligible New York City residents to register to vote and cast a ballot at the poll-site on Election Day.
Body
By Council Members Cabrera, Ayala, Ampry-Samuel and Kallos
Whereas, All eligible New Yorkers deserve a reasonable opportunity to exercise their fundamental voting rights; and
Whereas, New York State consistently has one of the lowest voter turnout rates, ranking 41st among states in the 2016 General Election, according to the United States Elections Project; and
Whereas, Potential voters often find it challenging to register, due to confusing rules and/or lack of time, resulting in nearly 25% of eligible voters not being registered, according to the public policy group Demos; and
Whereas, Under the current process, the voter registration must be completed several weeks before an election, causing many hopeful registrants to not be eligible to vote in the election that they were interested in taking part; and
Whereas, New York State has closed primary elections that require voters to register with a political party in order to participate in their party's primary; and
Whereas, New York currently has the earliest party enrollment change deadline in the United States: it is a full year and 25 days prior to the current year's General Election; and
Whereas, As a result, while the General Election voter turnout is regularly low (62% in 2016), the 2016 Congressional and State Primary Elections saw an abysmal 8% voter turn-out; and
Whereas, Steps can be taken to modernize the voter registration process, which will increase the number of potential voters and the chance of higher voter turnout; and
Whereas, Same-day voter registration would allow eligible New Yorkers to register to vote and cast a ballot on Election D...
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