Join 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:

• -- 2019 Albany advocacy efforts to enact even more voting reform
• -- Improving high-priority pro-voter legislation  
• -- Refining NYDLC's comprehensive election reform agenda and updating advocacy materials
• -- Developing voting rights rapid response, OpEds, and other advocacy opportunities

         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.

The 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.

 Join NYDLC on Saturday 2/16
Voting Rights Advocates' Albany Caucus Weekend 

Please RSVP below if you are at all interested in these programs!

NYSABPRL Caucus Weekend 2019 is Fri. Feb 15- Sun. Feb 17 (see the official schedule here and be sure to register here). NYDLC members will join the 48th Annual legislative conference of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators to highlight the centrality and importance of voting rights, as the best means to achieve the many policy-reform goals important to NYers.

The following programs are still being developed and we hope you can attend!

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM, Assembly Conference Room, FREE CLE Panel - What Happened on Election Day? What Can Be Done to Fix It? Sponsored by Assemblymember Walker and Senator Comrie, this free CLE will discuss common election administration issues that perpetually arise on Election Day in New York and what reforms are still needed to modernize New York voting laws.

2:00 - 3:15 PM, LOB 412, FREE CLE / Panel - New Voting Laws Coming to NY: What Changes are Coming and How Will it Effect NYS Elections? Sponsored by Assemblymember Walker and Senator Comrie, this free CLE-accredited program will discuss  January's first wave of voting reforms that were enacted into law. Attendees who are attorneys may receive one free NYS CLE credit. This live presentation is appropriate for the general public and both newly-admitted and experienced attorneys.

          Voting is a fundamental right. But throughout U.S. history and even today, states have raised (or failed to remove) barriers that make it difficult for many communities to effectively exercise these core civil rights. Modernizing voter access and improving civic engagement will strengthen our democracy, making it more representative and responsive to the needs of our communities. 

          Caucus Weekend is a great opportunity to meet with Elected Officials and Community Leaders and help spread the word about NYDLC's voter protection work and the urgent need to continue making progress on voting reform in New York. NYDLC is fighting to #LetNYVote, and continues to prioritize legislation to overhaul our election laws so they provide New Yorkers with fair and modern access to fundamental voting rights and ultimately improve participation. But it won't happen on its own!

          NYDLC continues to advocate for convenient pro-voter reforms like revolutionizing the way we register voters by enacting a system of automatic voter registration, same-day registration, attorney general pre-clearance, simplified ballot design, online registration, prevention of intimidating and deceptive practices, better audit and recount safeguards and more. But these are big priorities, and we can't achieve them without your relentless dedication, active participation, and continued support. 

Unfortunately, NYDLC is unable to provide transportation to Albany for Caucus Weekend. If you will be driving, looking to carpool, or want to discuss transportation options, please email MinorityVotingRights@NYDLC.org

Please RSVP below

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.

Attend 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: 

• 1. All eligible persons can register to vote easily;
• 2. All registered voters are able to vote conveniently, fairly, without intimidation;
• 3. All voters are counted accurately and all voting systems are open and reliable.

New to NYDLC? 

Click here to View our current NYS and national voting reform proposals.

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.

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.