There are various types of barriers facing voters including photo ID requirements, voting booth availability, the flexibility of poll hours, and the availability of time off from work with pay for voting. Some states even have financial penalties for the violation of deadlines or rules related to registration lists. Online voter registration, absentee voting, and early voting are some policies that clearly are shown to ease voting. The latest news on this front comes from a really interesting article at Utica, New York’s local Observer Dispatch written by Steve Howe:

A package of election reform bills passed the Democrat-controlled state Senate last week, which would make changes to absentee voting in New York elections.

The reforms include a timeframe for processing absentee ballots and applications, earlier absentee ballot applications and absentee ballot drop boxes. The package includes eight bills and a constitutional amendment, which were sent to the state Assembly for approval.

State Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D- Marcy, said election reforms are very important, especially in light of errors discovered in the judicial review of the election in New York’s 22nd Congressional District.

Also see our section on American Democracy or our articles on  Voter Turnout, the Internet and Voting, Military Voting or just general Voter Access.