BILL NUMBER: S4393
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to section 2 of article 2 of the constitution, in relation to authoriz-
ing ballot by mail by removing cause for absentee ballot voting
 
PURPOSE:
This resolution proposes to amend the state Constitution-in the name of
voter empowerment and democratization-to allow for any voter to request
to vote by mail without declaring any reason for doing so. Essentially
this bill provides for "No Excuse Absentee Voting."
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the New York State Constitution only allows absentee voting
if a person expects to be absent from the county in which they live, or
the City of New York, or because of illness for physical disability. As
we have seen in the aftermath of many recent elections, several states
have allowed for alternate ways of voting, including mail in voting
without having to declare any specific reason or "excuse" for doing so.
There is no sound or rational reason to prevent New Yorkers from doing
so as well. By providing choices, we give voters the opportunity to cast
their ballot in whatever way each finds most comfortable, whether that
be in a voting booth on election day, or in the comfort of their own
home prior to election day.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Opinion referred to JUDICIARY cmte A6445/A6925 2024
Passed the Senate/ Assembly S.871/A778 2019
Passed the Assembly (A.3874-B; A.7623) 2016-2018
Referred to Senate Judiciary (S.4456-A; S.840) 2015-2018
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.