Hochul Deciding On Possible Veto Of New York’s Mail-In Vote Act
In 2021, New York State voters convincingly rejected a referendum to expand mail-in voting. In an attempt to circumvent the wishes of their constituents, the state Senate and Assembly passed The New York Early Voter Act on June 9th.
Now the decision, whether or not to support the legislature's underhanded act, lies on the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul. Vetoing the bill would challenge the governor's relationship with her own party. However, going against the wishes of the voters has its own ramifications.
Senate Republican leader Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda criticized the bill to Michael Gormley of newsday.com, "Albany Democrats continue to ignore the will of New York residents, who overwhelmingly rejected a similar ballot amendment in 2021. This state has already made it very easy for New Yorkers to cast a ballot without early mail-in voting that will undoubtedly overwhelm local boards of elections and put the integrity of the process at risk.” The Democrats feel differently.
Susan Lerner of Common Cause-NY explained to newsday.com, "Allowing New Yorkers to vote by mail increases voter turnout in harder to reach populations, including young people and voters of color. We know vote by mail works: New York did it successfully in 2020 when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic … not only is this absolutely legal under our Constitution, but the right thing to do.” How can it be the right thing to do if the voters of New York already said no?
With the technology advancements of today, it seems antiquated to be focusing on mail-in voting. The voters of New York already rejected this proposal. Now the governor has to choose between satisfying her Democratic party or the voters that put her in office.