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S7689A

An act to amend the Election Law — 2025-06-11 · Calendar #1550

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Skoufis to modernize the state's overseas voter application process, addressing what he called some of the nation's most restrictive Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) laws. The bill, which passed 39-20 on a roll call vote, would allow overseas voters to electronically submit FPCA forms and eliminate the requirement to include redundant copies when casting absentee ballots. Sen. Skoufis noted that only 3.4 percent of eligible overseas voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterm election, compared to over 60 percent domestic turnout, and attributed the disparity partly to New York's restrictive procedures. The senator emphasized the bill would benefit military voters serving abroad. The measure takes effect 30 days after becoming law.
PASSED Ayes: 39 · Nays: 20

Debate Summary

Sen. Skoufis explained that the bill addresses the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) process for overseas voters. He noted that only 3.4 percent of eligible overseas voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterm election, compared to over 60 percent domestic turnout. New York has some of the most restrictive FPCA laws in the country, being one of only four or five states that does not allow electronic return of FPCAs and requiring redundant copies when casting absentee ballots. The bill aims to increase overseas and military voter turnout by modernizing these procedures.

Recorded Votes

Recorded votes are predominantly dissenting (nay) votes captured from roll call records.

Senator Vote Party
Skoufis aye Democrat
Ashby nay Republican
Borrello nay Republican
Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick nay Republican
Chan nay Republican
Gallivan nay Republican
Griffo nay Republican
Helming nay Republican
Lanza nay Republican
Martins nay Republican
Mattera nay Republican
O'Mara nay Republican
Oberacker nay Republican
Ortt nay Republican
Palumbo nay Republican
Rhoads nay Republican
Rolison nay Republican
Stec nay Republican
Walczyk nay Republican
Weber nay Republican
Weik nay Republican