Coalition of 90 Groups Joins Push For Serious NY Voting Reforms

From The Legislative Gazette

With a new Legislature about to be seated in Albany, a coalition of more than 90 groups is asking the governor and lawmakers to reform the state’s voting laws this coming session. The Fair Elections of New York campaign sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and all 213 members of the Legislature calling for new voting rights as well as a public campaign financing system for statewide offices.

The coalition — which includes unions, good government groups, think tanks and political parties — is asking for a 6-1 small donor public financing system for all state races, including district attorneys statewide; lower contributions limits, and closing the LLC loophole. They want a “functional, fair administrative agency” like the Connecticut’s Citizens Elections Program to oversee the state’s elections.

“New York State should be a model of American democracy. Instead its electoral system lags far behind. Too often, it’s an embarrassment,” Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, said.

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