Cuomo Signs Bills To Expand Absentee Ballot Access

NEW YORK STATE — Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed three bills into law today that will make it easier for New Yorkers to vote via absentee ballot as America gets ready to hold an election during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bills will allow absentee ballot applications to be requested earlier in the year, expand the reasons that voters can request absentee ballots and ensure that ballots postmarked on or before Election Day get counted.

"The federal administration has ordered an unprecedented attack on the U.S. Postal Service and with COVID-19 threatening our ability to have safe, in-person voting, these measures are critical to ensuring a successful and fair election at one of the most important moments in our nation's history," Cuomo said. "These actions will further break down barriers to democracy and will make it easier for all New Yorkers to exercise their right to vote this November."

The first bill allows New Yorkers to request an absentee ballot due to the risk of illness to themselves or others. Essentially, it would make the coronavirus pandemic a valid reason to request an absentee ballot.

The second measure allows voters to request absentee ballots immediately. Previously, absentee ballots couldn't be requested until 30 days before Election Day. The bill gives voters more time to request — and submit — their absentee ballots.

The final measure mandates that absentee ballots that are postmarked the day of the election must be counted, so long as they a received by the local Board of Elections by a week after the election. This year, it means that ballots postmarked on Election Day, which is Nov. 3, would have to be counted as long as they are received by Nov. 10.