S7394A

A bill to amend the Election Law was laid aside during Senate floor consideration. Sen. Lanza moved to set aside Senate Print 7394A, sponsored by Sen. Gianaris, and the motion was granted by Acting President Bailey without debate or a vote.

The New York State Senate passed legislation amending the Election Law on a 41-21 vote, with the bill sponsored by Sen. Gianaris advancing despite Republican opposition. The measure, which relates to early voting procedures, drew criticism from Sen. Borrello and other opponents who characterized it as a workaround to a 2021 constitutional amendment on absentee voting that New York voters rejected. Borrello argued the bill would allow mail-in early voting ballots that could overwhelm the election system and potentially prevent those who must vote by absentee from having their ballots counted, thereby undermining election integrity. He contended that New York already makes voting accessible and that system integrity should be prioritized. Sen. Gianaris distinguished the bill from the defeated amendment, stating it addresses early voting rather than absentee balloting. The bill is set to take effect January 1, 2024.