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 |