It appears from the New York budget that our state government has again chosen not to join the 37 other states that permit early voting. The state Assembly, which is in Democratic control, regularly passes election reforms such as early voting and the Republican-controlled state Senate regularly declines to approve them.

The desirability of encouraging more eligible New York voters to participate in our democracy should be obvious. New York State ranked 41st for voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election.

It’s time for our own state senator, Republican Sue Serino, to realize voting in a democracy should be one of our highest priorities. If Sen. Serino continues to oppose election reforms such as early voting, it is our obligation to elect someone who prioritizes this all-important right.

Susan Anspach, Cold Spring

On Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m., Sandy Galef, a Democrat who represents Philipstown in the state Assembly, will hold a forum at the Croton Free Library to discuss early voting, automatic voter registration, easier access to absentee ballots and electronic poll books.

Behind The Story

Type: Opinion

Opinion: Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

This piece is by a contributor to The Current who is not on staff. Typically this is because it is a letter to the editor or a guest column.

One reply on “Letter: Voting Reforms”

  1. Democracy requires citizen participation, and allowing early voting would clearly increase our opportunity to cast our vote. Sounds like we need a new state Senator who supports early voting!

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