Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed the New York Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2020 (S.8806 \/ A.8280C) into law, requiring designated State agencies to establish an automatic voter registration system as proposed by the Governor in State of the State in 2019 and 2020. This modernized system will expedite voter registration and create a straightforward process for New Yorkers applying for services at designated agencies to also register to vote. The law will help increase voter turnout while reducing administrative barriers to processing voter registration applications.<\/p>\n
The new law designates the Department of Motor Vehicles\u00a0and other State agencies that interact directly with\u00a0New York residents\u00a0to work with\u00a0the State Board of Elections\u00a0to\u00a0integrate\u00a0agency and voter registration applications.\u00a0This new,\u00a0single\u00a0application will serve as both an application for services and a voter registration application. Only\u00a0eligible\u00a0voters may register, and applications will be\u00a0transmitted\u00a0to the State Board of Elections with the signature and\u00a0consent of the applicant. Applicants will also be given the opportunity to choose a political party.\u00a0Pursuant\u00a0to changes agreed to by the Legislature, the DMV will come online in 2023, followed by the Department of Health, Department of Labor and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in 2024. The State University of New York will come online in 2025.\u00a0This system will remove yet another barrier to voter participation\u00a0by making it easy for New Yorkers to register\u00a0to vote.<\/p>\n