Redistricting Information

Congressional and State Legislative seats/districts have changed due to the U.S. Census count.  Before the summer primaries, find out what NYC district you are living in and who might represent you by checking online here.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act Become Law in New York State

On June 20, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (S.1046-E/A.6678-E) into law. The state legislature passed this bill, the most expansive protections in the country, to encourage participation in our Democracy and elective franchise by all eligible New Yorkers. The law aims to ensure that eligible voters who are members of racial, ethnic, and language-minority groups have equitable access to register to vote and participate in our political or electoral process. In sum, this Act establishes the rights of a protected class to vote, provides assistance to language-minority groups, requires preclearance for potential violations and creates civil liability for voter intimidati

Among the provisions:

• Expands access to voting by barring voter dilution, suppression, intimidation, deception, or obstruction
• Requires jurisdictions with a history of civil or voting rights violations to seek preclearance for changes to key election policies and procedures through either the State Attorney General's Civil Rights Bureau or a specified State Supreme Court
• Creates civil liability for voter intimidation and vote dilution, provides guidance on how these can be proven in court and a non-exhaustive list of suggested remedies
• Provides for expedited judicial proceedings involving alleged violations under the Act
• Requires districts to provide language assistance to a minority group for voting materials of an equal quality of the English language materials

The provisions of this Act will apply to all elections for any office or electoral choice within the State or political subdivision.

Read the full press release here.

Absentee Voting Protection Signed Into Law

On June 24, 2022, a New York State law was enacted to protect absentee voting, ensuring these ballots are not disqualified because of stray marks.

During the pandemic many voters used absentee ballots to safely participate in the electoral process. This law protects the constitutional right of absentee voters to have their vote counted when there are marks or writing on an absentee ballot, as long as the express intent of the voter is clear. Before the law was enacted, any stray marks or writing would void the ballot regardless of whether the rest of the ballot was filled correctly.

This Act takes effect immediately and will apply to all elections after June 24.

Read the full bill here.

Absentee Voting Extended Through 2022

On January 21, 2022, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation ( S. 7565-B/A. 8432-A)  authorizing voting by absentee ballot due to the COVID-19 pandemic through 2022. This legislation continues to allow New Yorkers to request an absentee ballot during the pandemic where there is a risk of contracting or spreading disease to members of the public. This legislation first became law in July of 2020, and expired December 31, 2021.

Absentee ballot applications for the February 15th special elections in the 60th and 72nd assembly districts are available through January 31st by mail, until February 14th in-person and can be submitted by mail or in-person until February 15th. More information on absentee voting and how to apply for an absentee ballot is found here.

If you are Voting by Absentee Ballot, here are the Changes for 2022 and Beyond

There are new absentee ballot procedures that apply to 2022 and future elections, as a result of amendments to state law. Here are the key points to remember: 
• If you have applied for an absentee ballot either by mail, online or in-person, you may not cast a ballot on a voting machine for that election;
• However, if you have applied for an absentee ballot, and you changed your mind and want to vote in-person, whether during early voting or on election day,  you may complete an affidavit ballot at the poll site.  Affidavit ballots will be kept separate by the poll workers until the election is completed;
• To ensure that one ballot, one vote is cast by each voter, election officials will confirm if a voter’s absentee ballot has been received. If the absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted;
•  If you request, complete, and return an absentee ballot, and then request a second absentee ballot, the following applies:

• The first absentee ballot received by the Board of Elections will be set aside unopened, so that you have an opportunity to return the second ballot. The second ballot will be opened and counted unless the first ballot has already been opened.
• If both ballots are received prior to the deadline, the ballot with the later postmark date is accepted and any other ballots are rejected, unless the first ballot was already opened.
• If you return more than one absentee ballot before the deadline, and you also cast an affidavit ballot, the last received ballot (submitted in-person during the election or by mail within the absentee return deadline) will be canvassed and counted. 

You may apply online to request an absentee ballot. Once you request the absentee ballot, voting in-person using the voting machine is no longer an option during Early Voting or on the Primary or General Election Day. You will only be permitted to vote by affidavit ballot.