Legislators back rule change to allow remote voting
State lawmakers who represent the Mid-Hudson Valley have joined colleagues in the move to allow members to cast votes remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, DKingston, said legislation about voting procedures was approved by his chamber this week.
“The alteration will maintain the righteousness of the legislative process, while following social-distance standards and keeping all safe during the current COVID-19 outbreak and future declared states of emergency,” Cahill said in a prepared statement.
The action, Cahill said, will temporarily change the rules of the Assembly to “allow for expedited voting and to establish the future possibility of voting remotely during declared states of emergency.
“The change will immediately allow for speedy roll calls to be recorded, while preserving important debate and dissent,” he said.
All members still will be required to check in at the Assembly chamber in Albany.
“It is not a sense of the Assembly to use this rule change outside of emergency situations,” Cahill added. “It is, however, crafted to allow us to consider even ... the state budget and other important legislative matters. It is not a perfect system, but these are imperfect times.”
The Assembly and Senate were working to complete the 2020-21 state budget on Tuesday, before the midnight deadline.
The Senate also has approved a rule change about voting, according to Sen. James Skoufis, D-Cornwall.
“Right now is a time when government must perform its most essential functions more than ever,” Skoufis said in an email Tuesday. “We have a state budget that is due in the coming hours and have millions of constituents who are in need of support.”
The office of state Sen. George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, said he voted in favor of the rule change, and Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, said government needs to move on matters.
“In these unprecedented circumstances, it is important that the government continues to function while public safety is prioritized and protected,” Metzger said in a prepared statement. “Sunday’s passage of a Senate resolution authorizing remote voting enables us to do the essential work of passing legislation while keeping people healthy and preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, DNewburgh, has introduced a bill directing the state Board of Elections to allow voting in elections by mail.
“Tragically, it is increasingly clear that COVID-19 will disrupt our usual dayto-day activities for an extended period of time,” Jacobson said in a prepared statement. “Even after we reach the point where it is safe to return to our schools and places of work, we will need to practice caution and minimize unnecessary contact for weeks or even months.”
Metzger has sponsored a similar bill in the state Senate.