Gov. Cuomo Introduces NY Voting Proposal: Same-Day, Automatic Registration

NEW YORK — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday introduced a new proposal called the "Democracy Project," which he said will make it easier for New Yorkers to vote. The proposal includes automatic and same-day voter registration as well as early voting measures, the governor's office said in a press release.

The governor's new policy would make it mandatory for every county in New York state to offer at least one early voting site in the 12 days before Election Day. It would also allow voters to register to vote on the same day that they vote, so New Yorkers wouldn't have to worry about what the governor called "counter-intuitive" and "onerous" voter registration deadlines.

The "Democracy Project" would streamline voter registration by automatically sending DMV application information to the County Board of Elections, and if voters did not want to register to vote, they could select an "opt out" box on their DMV application.

"This past election shined a bright light on the deficiencies of New York's antiquated election laws and the artificial barriers they create that prevent and discourage voters from exercising this sacred right," Cuomo said. "These proposals will modernize and open up our election system, making it easier for more voters to participate in the process and helping to make a more fair, more just and more representative New York for all."

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced his support for the proposal in a press release on Sunday. "New York must become a national leader in voting rights by expanding and protecting the rights of all New Yorkers to cast their vote," Schneiderman said.

"Our guiding principle on voting rights should be simple: any law that makes voting easier is a good law--any law that makes voting harder, is a bad one. I look forward to making that principle a reality this legislative session."

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