Res. No. 145
Resolution calling upon the State Legislature to amend the State election law to permit electronic voter registration.
By Council Members Brewer, Chin, Ferreras, James, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Reyna and Williams
Whereas, New York State's election law should be amended to allow residents to register to vote online; and
Whereas, The current voter registration system is outdated and should be modernized to keep pace with the technological advancements driving the nation; and
Whereas, Although the voter registration application is presently available online, an applicant must print and complete the application and mail it to a local Board of Elections or deliver it in person to a local Board of Elections in order for the registration to become effective; and
Whereas, Two states - Washington and Arizona - already allow online voter registration and many others are considering it; and
Whereas, In both states online registration has expedited the formerly protracted registration process and has also led to an increase in voter registration; and
Whereas, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on January 14, 2008 that over 1,600 voter applications were filed electronically in the first three days that Washington State made online voter registration available; and
Whereas, In Arizona, more than six out of ten new voter registrations are filed online; and
Whereas, Since more Americans every year use the Internet to conduct their personal and professional business, it makes sense for the voter registration process to utilize these new technological developments; and
Whereas, Online voter registration is also less costly and more environmentally friendly than paper registrations; and
Whereas, Allowing New Yorkers to register to vote online would make the time-consuming process more convenient for certain voters who frequently have difficulty registering, including military personnel serving overseas, college students studying away from home, and people with disabilities; and
Whereas, Electronic voter registration has the potential to not only increase the number of New Yorkers who register to vote, but also the potential to increase voter turnout, thereby making the democratic process more inclusive; now therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Legislature to amend the State election law to permit electronic voter registration.
JG
LS# 472
2/24/2010