Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that she helped pass a legislative package to make New York’s restrictive voting process more accessible. The overhaul includes measures to make voting more convenient, modernize the voter registration process and limit the influence of special interests in political campaigns to ensure Western New Yorkers’ voices are heard.

“Enacting commonsense reforms like early voting, same-day voter registration and no-excuse absentee ballots will break down unnecessary barriers, get more people out to the polls and give New York a stronger government that truly answers to the people,” Wallace said.

The measures she helped pass include a bill to establish early voting, which would take place during a nine-day period before any general, primary or special election to give New Yorkers plenty of time to make their voices heard (A.780). Wallace also passed legislation allowing any citizen to receive an absentee ballot without question (A.778). To make the registration process simpler, Wallace also supported measures to establish same-day voter registration, automatically transfer voter enrollment for New Yorkers who move from one county to another and allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote (A.777, A.775, A.774).

Further, Wallace championed legislation to close the limited liability company (LLC) loophole, because she knows that the needs of Western New Yorkers should take priority over wealthy corporations (A.776). The measure would prevent individuals and corporations from making unlimited contributions to the same candidate, political party or campaign committee by creating new LLCs for each contribution. It also requires LLCs to disclose the names of individuals with membership interests so that contributions can be attributed to them. Wallace, a former federal law clerk and University at Buffalo School of Law professor, has continually pushed for strong ethics reform, noting that elected officials should always be held to the highest standards and should only work for the hardworking families they represent.

“The government is here is to serve the people, not the highest bidder,” said Wallace. “Closing the LLC loophole will increase transparency and put the power back into the hands of voters, where it belongs.”