File #: Res 1252-2008    Version: * Name: NYS State Legislature to pass A.4258 and S.5013, which allow for same day registration.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 2/13/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution urging the New York State Legislature to pass A.4258 and S.5013, which allow for same day registration.
Sponsors: Simcha Felder, Gale A. Brewer, Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Darlene Mealy, Rosie Mendez, James Sanders, Jr., Larry B. Seabrook, Eric N. Gioia, Daniel R. Garodnick, Bill De Blasio, Robert Jackson
Council Member Sponsors: 12
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Testimony, 3. Hearing Transcript

Res. No. 1252

 

Resolution urging the New York State Legislature to pass A.4258 and S.5013, which allow for same day registration.

 

By Council Members Felder, Brewer, James, Mark-Viverito, Mealy, Mendez, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Gioia, Garodnick, de Blasio and Jackson

 

Whereas, People who have recently moved to a new election district, people who may be away at school or for employment reasons and those registering for the first time may easily become disenfranchised; and

Whereas, Pursuant to Article II section 5 of the Constitution of the State of New York, a person is required to register to vote at least ten days before each election; and

Whereas, Requiring registration ten days before an election can prevent citizens from actively participating in the democratic process; and

Whereas, Same day registration, also known as “Election Day Registration,” is currently allowed in Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, New Hampshire, Wyoming and Montana; and

Whereas, Election Day Registration has proven its value in seven states and momentum for it is growing in many states around the country; and

Whereas, According to a study conducted by the think tank Demos, “Voters Win With Election Day Registration: A Snapshot of Election 2006,” States with Election Day Registration generally have an average voter turnout that is 10-12 percentage points higher than non-Election Day Registration states; and

Whereas, Allowing potential voters to register to vote at any time up to and including Election Day is a sensible way to increase and encourage greater voter participation and strengthen our democracy; and

Whereas, By making the voting process less daunting and more user-friendly New York State can reduce unnecessary barriers to participation in the electoral process and empower its residents; and

Whereas, The enactment of same day registration would be a major advance toward fully inclusive and participatory elections while maintaining efficient and secure elections; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the New York State Legislature to pass A.4258 and S.5013, which allow for same day registration.

 

 

IR

LS# 4608

2/07/08