BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — The New York State Elections Commissioners' Association is calling for immediate action by Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature to protect the electoral process during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The association just came out with this list of three recommendations.
1.) Postponing the Democratic Presidential Primary scheduled for April 28th to June
23rd. Fielding inspectors in the midst of this health crisis is dangerous and may be
impossible. Traditional polling places may be unusable as they are currently restricted or
closed to the public. Postponing until June will not only give us time to plan, but will ease the
burdens on host counties budgets that are devastated by the COVID-19 crisis.
2.) Amend 8-400 of NYS Election Law to allow for Absentee Balloting during all times
of declared state of emergency due to infectious disease or pandemic. This will allow
all voters who are at-risk but perhaps not yet sick to apply for and receive an absentee ballot.
At risk or vulnerable citizens should not have to make decisions on whether to exercise their
right to vote or risk their health.
3.) For all Primary & Special Elections: Give wide latitude to the local Board of
Elections to consolidate polling places and election districts to best operate the
election. While we hope the COVID 19 crisis will be better by June, it is quite likely we will
have limited numbers of polling places and inspectors even then. We need this flexibility to
adjust to circumstances on the ground in our jurisdictions that may be changing right up until
the June 23rd Election.
