With the continuing outbreak of COVID-19 in New York State, voters are concerned over voting procedures for upcoming elections. The Governor has postponed the April primary and special elections until June 23, but experts are predicting that the outbreak of COVID-19 will still be active at that time.

Voting rights advocates including the League of Women Voters are advocating for the expansion of absentee voting so that voters who are at high-risk of contracting COVID-19 can apply to vote by absentee.

We are asking the New York State Legislature to pass A.10203/S.8015, a bill to amend the election law in relation to permitting absentee voting, in response to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

Currently, New York's election law only allows an individual to request an absentee ballot based on a list of approved reasons including sickness, caring for a sick or disabled individual, or absence from their county or New York City. These restrictive criteria do not accommodate people who are concerned about the risk voting in-person would pose to their own or others' health.

High-risk individuals who are trying to limit their potential exposure or others' exposure to the virus should not have to decide between protecting their health or exercising their civic duty. Similarly, individuals who are preventively quarantined should still be able to participate in our elections.

A.10203/S.8015 would allow New Yorkers to request an absentee ballot if they are unable to appear personally at their polling place because of a public health concern that voting in person could expose themselves or others to that risk.

No voter should have to choose between exercising their democratic right or protecting their health. Expanding absentee voting will keep voters and election officials safe from further spreading COVID-19 while allowing them to cast their ballot in the June elections.

We urge the New York Assembly and Senate to pass A.10203/S.8015 well in advance of our June 23 primary.