Speaker Quinn and Council propose detailed reforms to improve city\u2019s voting system<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 At a hearing held by the City Council\u2019s Committee on Governmental Operations, chaired by Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Council Members examined serious problems that occurred with recent voting and numerous Board of Elections failures. In her opening statement, Speaker Christine C. Quinn detailed specific proposals towards improving the Board\u2019s performance and New Yorkers\u2019 voting experience. The State Board of Elections, the Campaign Finance Board\u2019s Voter Advisory Assistance Commission and numerous state elected officials, good government groups and advocates participated in today\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n
In order to make necessary improvements to the existing voting system, Speaker Quinn noted that both short and long term changes must be implemented. Pressing on the importance of these changes, she stated, \u201cThe New York City Board of Elections must take responsibility for systemic problems and fix them immediately. Poorly trained poll workers and chaotic polling place procedures have been recurring issues, election after election. Implementing the reforms we are announcing today is a step towards bringing about the change voters expect and deserve.\u201d
\nAllow early voting at polling sites<\/p>\n
Quinn proposed that voting be allowed at Board of Elections polling locations prior to Election Day, which would increase convenience for voters and decrease waiting times on Election Day.
\nMany voters in last month’s election had to wait for hours to cast their vote.<\/p>\n
Allow expanded, easier access to absentee ballots<\/p>\n
Quinn also called for allowing absentee voting without requiring an excuse. Currently, in order to receive an absentee ballot, a voter must be away from the county or have a physical inability to go to their polling place on Election Day. This change is yet another way to improve and ease the voting process.<\/p>\n
In addition to these ideas, the Council discussed the Board of Elections taking more immediate action and called on them to implement the following reforms:<\/p>\n
\u2022 End usage of voter cards \u2013 Voter cards, handed to voters after signing-in, are not used in any counties outside of the five boroughs and are no longer necessary. Additionally, the cards introduce the opportunity for poll worker error.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Implement electronic poll books and ED listings \u2013 Electronic systems, which would allow voters to sign-in and locate election districts electronically, will reduce lines and waiting time and will provide improved accuracy.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Improve poll worker training \u2013 Trainings should incorporate hands-on experience, smaller groups to increase engagement and online training. Better testing following training will improve poll worker competence.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Allow poll workers to split shifts \u2013 Allowing 8 hour instead of the current 16 hour days will improve worker performance and entice more people to become poll workers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Improve poll worker accountability \u2013 Workers should be monitored and held accountable for their job performance. Poll site director feedback must be taken seriously, roving Board of Election employees should be utilized to evaluate workers and the worst performers should not be rehired.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Empower poll workers to remove minor jams from ballot scanners \u2013 Current procedure requires a technician to be called for even minor ballot scanner jams, resulting in hours of unnecessary delays and downed machines. Properly trained workers should be permitted to make simple repairs themselves.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Communicate with poll workers \u2013 The ability to communicate with poll workers must be improved. Workers need to be aware of last minute changes such as this year\u2019s executive order.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Utilize larger polling places \u2013 Better sites will reduce crowding and chaos.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Clarify language access \u2013 Two language ballots, rather than five languages on a ballot, will improve ballot legibility.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Recruit and hire an experienced Executive Director for the Board \u2013 This will create improved Board performance and allow for clearer accountability.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act \u2013 Reports have stated many polling sites are not accessible for various disabilities and this must be corrected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Board of Elections truly faced the perfect storm in preparing for the November Election,\u201d said Council Member Brewer. \u201cHowever, many of the problems we saw on Election Day had nothing to do with Hurricane Sandy and everything to do with archaic State Laws and problematic administration. Today’s hearing represents another step in the Council’s efforts to work with the Board of Elections to develop an electoral process that all New Yorkers can be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cElection Day was far too chaotic in the 45th District, and we in government should be troubled that even one New Yorker feels their vote was disenfranchised, much less thousands,\u201d said Council Member Jumaane Williams. \u201cI joined with Council Member Brewer and our city and state colleagues last month to propose a reform agenda that would improve collaboration with the BOE and streamline the voting process. Speaker Quinn and the Council are championing many of these proposals, including early voting, eliminating voter cards, instituting electronic poll books and utilizing larger poll sites. I hope today’s hearing will expand the partnership on these common-sense reforms and deliver voters a new and improved system for next year’s elections.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Speaker Quinn and Council propose detailed reforms to improve city\u2019s voting system<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 At a hearing held by the City Council\u2019s Committee on Governmental Operations, chaired by Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Council Members examined serious problems that occurred with recent voting and numerous Board of Elections failures. In her opening statement, Speaker Christine C.<\/p>\n
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