Authorizing No-Excuse Absentee Ballot Voting
You can vote Yes or No on this ballot proposal, which would amend the New York State Constitution.
What you will see on the ballot
The proposed amendment would delete from the current provision on absentee ballots the requirement that an absentee voter must be unable to appear at the polls by reason of absence from the county or illness or physical disability. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?
Proposal Summary
Under the New York State Constitution, voters are currently required to affirm that they are out of town on the day of the election, ill, or physically disabled in order to vote by mail. All other voters are required to vote in person. While all New York voters are temporarily eligible to vote by mail due to the risk of COVID-19, this amendment could permanently expand that eligibility. This proposal would amend the State Constitution to allow the State Legislature to pass new laws that would give all New York voters the option to vote by mail without providing an excuse.
If Ballot Question #4 Passes
- The New York State Constitution would be amended to give the State Legislature the power to pass new laws that allow more New York voters to vote by mail.
- Passing this proposal would not guarantee that laws will change, but it would give lawmakers the ability to pass new laws that allow New York voters to vote by mail without needing to provide a reason.
Statements for and against the proposal
Jennifer Baratta
Absentee ballots are critical in epidemic cases like Covid. Being able to vote without the risk of exposure is needed here.
Larry brown
I witnessed Citizens standing/sitting in line during the Presidential Election!
Folks Deserve to have their Votes Count whether they can show to the Polling place or not!
Citizens Union
Citizens Union recommends a yes vote on question 4, which would eliminate the requirement that absentee voters must be unable to physically cast their ballot for reasons of illness or physical disability. The proposed amendment would
- Give alternative voting options to people who have unmovable obligations or irregular schedules. Given that most elections are held during workdays, many citizens simply cannot afford to wait for hours in line to vote or incur the costs of traveling to and from the poll site.
- Allow all New Yorkers to easily cast their votes on their own time from the comfort of their own homes by mailing their ballot.
- Increase voter turnout and public participation in our elections.
- Decrease the number of challenged and litigated absentee ballots, making the process easier for election administrators.
In fact, New York already implemented no-excuse absentee voting in 2020 and 2021, when this restriction was waived under the COVID state of emergency. Voters enthusiastically adopted this new voting method, and the result was dramatic increases in turnout in all elections.
Dureen D. DeMusis
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No-excuse Absentee Ballots should be available to all voters. There are circumstances that may suddenly arise that may prevent a voter casting a ballot in person. They should NOT be denied their rights to vote because of circumstances that may be out of their control.
