By Carl Unegbu, Rachel Landy, and Jarret Berg
This year’s Black History Month celebrations coincided with some remarkable developments in New York law that have a genuine potential to enhance access to the democratic space and improve civic engagement and political participation. And, needless to say, they are of significant interest to the Black community and should interest all minority communities.
Read moreJoin NYDLC's Legislative Affairs Committee at our next meeting to discuss our Pro-Voter Election Reform Agenda, LetNYVote action items, and our 2019-and-beyond push to overhaul NY and national voting laws. At this meeting, we will focus on:
Having finally elected a massive Senate Majority, we are proud that so many prominent N.Y. Democrats in Albany and across the state have called for pro-voter election reforms. We need to let them know they have our support. Our advocacy keeps policymakers focused on their promises to strengthen voting rights by modernizing voter registration and election administration. For years the GOP-controlled State Senate in Albany did everything in their power to block even the most basic democracy reform proposals to improve voter access or modernize registration. As a result, when it comes to safeguarding civil rights like voting, New York lags behind much of the country. But thanks to our tireless advocacy and like-minded partners in government (including those newly elected), that's beginning to change!
NYDLC continues to advocate for convenient pro-voter reforms like providing a reasonable Election Period for balloting (includes an early voting option); revolutionizing the way we register voters by enacting a system of automatic, permanent and portable voter registration for all who are eligible; a same-day registration failsafe; and convenient user-based reforms like online registration, simplified ballot design, and more. You can access NYDLC's current NYS and national Pro-Voter Election Reform Agenda and materials here.
But these are big priorities, and we can't achieve them without your relentless dedication, active participation, and continued support. RSVP below to join our next meeting.
Dial in option: If you can't attend in person, all members are welcome to join the meeting by phone. Please RSVP below and you will receive credentials for the call by email.
For Immediate Release, Jan 14, 2019
Contact: (866) NYDLC-01; info@NYDLC.org
The New York Democratic Lawyers Council (@NYDLC) hails the speedy passage, through both houses of the New York State Legislature, of a package of election reforms that NYDLC members have fought for years to enact that will improve access to fundamental rights for the benefit of ALL eligible New Yorkers and finally begin to modernize New York's voting laws.
Read moreThe New York Democratic Lawyers Council (NYDLC) praises Governor Cuomo's significant announcement today that his office will take immediate action to begin restoring voting rights to the tens of thousands of currently-disenfranchised New York parolees, and further, that his administration is committed to protecting the civil rights of future parolees by doing so on an ongoing basis.
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On Wednesday (12/13), NYDLC submitted testimony to both the New York City Council and the NYC Campaign Finance Board, regarding the most prevalent 2017 voting problems arising out of the 2017 municipal elections in New York City and the urgent need to improve New York Elections via legislative and administrative reforms. Read the full coverage and testimony.
Read moreAttend NYDLC's next Steering Committee Meeting! RSVP below
NYDLC's Steering Committee provides a platform for all of our projects and initiatives. The Steering Committee meeting is open to all members who would like to be more involved or to those who are new to NYDLC and would like to find out about our work. At each meeting, we hear reports from our Committee Chairs and plan for the months ahead, so this is a great way to check in on what we are working on and identify a few key ways you can help protect fundamental #VotingRights and #BeTheChange!
Dial-in option: If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join by phone.
RSVP below and you will be emailed dial-in credentials.
All NYDLC members are welcome to attend: To Join NYDLC as a member, please click here. (NYDLC always provides up to a 100% exemption policy for those unable to pay).
The New York Democratic Lawyers Council (NYDLC) is a coalition of lawyers and voting rights advocates dedicated to fostering universal participation and trust in the electoral process by ensuring that:
New to NYDLC?
Click here to View our current NYS and national comprehensive voting reform agenda.
Why Voting Rights?
Watch DNC Vice-Chair Michael Blake discuss NYDLC's voter protection work: "We should be doing everything we can to make sure that voting rights are universal; that it's easier for someone to vote, not harder." Blake encourages NYDLCers "to stay on the offensive--we have to make sure that we are pushing back to expand voting rights for everyone."
Watch The Modern Fight to Vote in New York and Beyond highlighting the critical role NYDLC plays protecting fundamental voting rights and the pro-voter path forward on reforming and modernizing NY election laws.
In a new GothamTalks video OpEd, NYDLC Executive Director Jarret Berg discusses the modern fight to vote in New York and across America; several desperately-needed voting reforms lawmakers should enact in 2018; NYDLC's election monitoring, pro-voter advocacy, and rights-based community programming; and the need for a drastic cultural shift among the rising American electorate so all eligible voters are ready to participate in local elections. Watch the full video here.
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Join NYS Red-to-Blue Voter Protection
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The NYDLC--NY Dems Statewide Voter Assistance hotline # is 855-VOTE4NY
Your generous support for NYDLC makes it possible to produce these resources and make them available to campaigns and the public. Supporting NYDLC allows us to help Democrats in New York and battleground states protect the vote. Contribute Today.
November 6, 2018 General Election (All Polls statewide OPEN at 6 AM and CLOSE at 9 PM)
MAIL REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-210(3))
Applications must be postmarked no later than October 12, 2018 and received by a board of elections no later than October 17, 2018 to be eligible to vote in the General Election.
IN PERSON REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Sections 5-210, 5-211, 5-212)
You may register at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in the General Election, your application must be received no later than October 12, 2018. If honorably discharged from the US Military or have become a naturalized US Citizen after October 13, 2018, you may register in person at the Board of Elections up until October 27, 2018.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-208(3))
Notices of change of address from registered voters received by October 17, 2018 by a county board of elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for the General Election.
CHANGE OF ENROLLMENT (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-304(3))
An application to change one’s party enrollment for 2018 must be received by the board of elections no later than October 12, 2017.
Your support makes it possible for us to produce these resources and make them available to the public. Supporting NYDLC provides our trained voter protection attorneys and advocates with the capacity to protect the rights of ALL eligible New York Voters. Contribute Today.
The NYS Assembly passed several voting reform bills this week that would modernize New York elections and make voting more convenient for millions of busy New Yorkers—but only if the State Senate leadership is compelled to prioritize fundamental voting rights before the end of the 2017 Legislative Session in June. Join NYDLC's 2017 New York State Pro-Voter Call to Action today to get involved.
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