One of the laws has resulted in a lawsuit by the GOP after New York voters rejected the measure as a constitutional amendment.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed a package of election laws that include expanding absentee voting, pushing more voter registration, and restricting election challenges.
The package included 10 laws, with the most controversial being the "New York Early Mail Voter Act," which would allow early voting by mail, also known as no-excuse absentee voting.
In 2021, New York voters rejected a statewide referendum that would have amended the state constitution to enshrine expanded absentee ballot access.
Erie County Elections Commissioner, Ralph Mohr, told local ABC affiliate WKBW on Wednesday, "It's not a good idea from the Board of Election standpoint because the safeguards to prevent fraud have not been put in place. That's why it was soundly defeated in 2021 by the voters not only in Erie County, but across the entire state." Former Rep. Lee Zeldin told Just the News on Thursday that the governor was going around New York voters.
"Kathy Hochul is showing an intense desire to spit in the face of voters who indicated their will across party lines not that long ago when a statewide referendum was voted on to amend the state constitution and allow no-excuse absentee balloting," Zeldin said.
Hochul said in a statement on Wednesday regarding the election law package, "By safeguarding the integrity of our electoral process and ensuring equal access to the ballot box, we empower every New Yorker to have their voice heard. New York State remains committed to strengthening our democratic process, championing the right to vote for every citizen and cementing our place as a national leader on voting rights." Hochul's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
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