The City Council’s Committee on Governmental Operations chaired by Council Member Sandra Ung today held an oversight hearing on New York City’s Pro-Voter Law, which requires over 25 city agencies to offer voter registration to eligible New Yorkers when they apply for city services.

Enacted by the City Council in 2000, the Pro-Voter Law was designed to supplement state and federal laws that rely heavily on Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices to register voters. Given the high rate of car ownership in much of the country, this is a sensical approach to engaging new voters.

In New York City, however, residents are much less likely to own a car, and therefore less likely to visit a DMV office. The Pro-Voter Law was intended to reach New Yorkers who may never visit their local DMV, but may interact regularly with other city agencies.

“In a state like New York, where registering to vote remains a burden, the Pro-Voter Law can make it easier for New Yorkers to get themselves registered, and keep their registrations up to date,” said Council Member Ung. “In addition, by enlisting city agencies—many of which target low-income households, and disproportionately reach communities of color—the Pro-Voter Law can help address racial and economic disparities in voter registration rates, as well as increase civic engagement in immigrant communities where language continues to be a barrier to increasing voter participation.”

The Committee explored ways the law could be updated or improved, particularly in light of forthcoming reforms at the state and local level, including online voter registration and municipal voting, which became law on January 8 and will allow legal permanent residents and people with work authorizations to vote in local elections beginning in January 2023.

The Committee also heard from Democracy NYC and the Campaign Finance Board regarding how agencies have implemented the law in the 22 years since it was enacted.

“It has been a priority since my first day in office to expand access to voting, especially among the city’s immigrant population, which is far too underrepresented at the polls,” Council Member Ung said. “I intend to ensure that city agencies are doing their part to accomplish that goal.”