What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow any qualified voter in New York to vote by mail without needing a specific reason.
Why it matters
Expanding access to voting by mail. could increase voter participation by making it easier for people who have difficulty getting to the polls—such as those with work, family, or transportation challenges—to cast their ballots.
By removing the requirement for a specific reason to vote absentee, the amendment aims to modernize New York’s election laws, bringing them in line with states that already offer “no-excuse” mail-in voting, which may help reduce barriers to voting.
Election administration processes would likely need updates. to handle a potentially large increase in mail-in ballots, which could have implications for how elections are conducted, including how votes are counted and how election security is managed.
The proposal reflects broader national debates over voting access and election integrity, meaning its passage (or rejection) could have implications for how other states approach mail-in voting reforms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Mail Voting for All
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bills
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Voting By Mail
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Allow Vote by Mail
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Clyde Vanel
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
871
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 2 of article 2 of the constitution, in relation to authorizing ballot by mail by removing cause for absentee ballot voting
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 2 of article 2 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
§ 2. The legislature may, by general law, provide a manner in which, and the time and place at which, qualified voters [who, on the occurrence of any election, may be absent from the county of their residence or, if residents of the city of New York, from the city, and qualified voters who, on the occurrence of any election, may be unable to appear personally at the polling place because of illness or physical disability,] may vote and for the return and canvass of their votes in any election.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89004-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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
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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.