NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3874B
SPONSOR: Brennan (MS) TITLE OF BILL: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing an amendment to section 2 of article 2 of the constitution, in
relation to authorizing ballot by mail by removing cause for absentee
ballot voting
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This resolution shall propose to amend the state Constitution to allow
for any voter to request to vote by mail without declaring any reason
for doing so.
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the New York State Constitution only allows absentee voting
if a person expects to be absent from the county in which they live, or
the City of New York, or because of illness for physical disability. As
we have seen in the most recent election, many states have allowed for
alternate ways of voting, including mail in voting without having to
declare any reason for doing so. There is no reason to prevent New York-
ers from doing so as well. By providing choices, we give voters the
opportunity to cast their ballot in whatever way each finds most
comfortable, whether that be in a voting booth on election day, or in
the comfort of their own home prior to election day.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009-10 - A5099;
2011-12 - A5202 In Election Law Committee.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill provides for first passage of a constitutional amendment.
