Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs New York voting reforms into law

[Cory]

Thanks for the baseless personal attacks.

You're welcome.

I most certainly understand that people who work are busy. But most people aren't so busy that they can't stop by a polling place before work in the morning, after work, or, if they live close enough to where they work, at lunchtime. It doesn't take that long.

Many polling locations, especially in big cities, have long lines and it absolutely does "take that long".

By the way, what income group do you think is most likely to claim they're too busy to vote? It's people making more than $150,000 a year.

Well, maybe they are.

Studies have shown that switching to weekend voting doesn't increase turnout.

Citation?

What makes you think having a holiday on a Tuesday would?

Because people would have more time on their hands?

All it would do is allow some people to take 4-day weekends and not vote while inconveniencing those who have jobs that don't usually don't get state holidays off - like hospital, retail and food industry workers. They'd have to find child care for their kids, which would be more scarce than usual because it's a state holiday. I don't think it's a good idea.

- The idea that "all it would do" is inconvenience people is axiomatically incorrect.

- Your second point I do agree with however, but for Christs sake if Columbus Day and (in SC) Confederate Memorial Day are going to be holidays how about having a holiday with some actual utility?

[cinyc]

Thanks for the baseless personal attacks.

You're welcome.

You shouldn't be. There is no need for personal attacks ever.

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Many polling locations, especially in big cities, have long lines and it absolutely does "take that long".[/quote]

No, "many polling locations" really don't have long wait times All but 1 state reported an average wait time of under 30 minutes in 2012, with most reporting average wait times under 10 minutes. To the extent lines are longer it's the fault of the state legislatures/counties for not adequately funding their elections machinery.

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Well, maybe they are.[/quote]

They most certainly are, at least from an economic sense. Time is money, and the opportunity cost to go vote is much greater to those making over $150,000 a year than those making less. It's not that they're too busy - it's that it's not worth their time.

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Citation?[/quote]

Here. Enjoy!

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Because people would have more time on their hands? [/quote]

Again, not necessarily. Some people who get off state holidays - like government workers - would have more time on their hands (which some people would turn into a 4-day weekend getaway, anyway). Others, who don't get off state holidays might actually be worse off for the reasons I've described before.

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- The idea that "all it would do" is inconvenience people is axiomatically incorrect.

- Your second point I do agree with however, but for Christs sake if Columbus Day and (in SC) Confederate Memorial Day are going to be holidays how about having a holiday with some actual utility?[/quote]

Given that 1) studies have shown shifting voting to weekends doesn't appreciably increase turnout (so why would having a state holiday?) and 2) people would actually be inconvenienced if they have to work but schools are closed and their kids are home from school, I stand by my statement as correct. I don't see an election day holiday as having much utility.

I can't speak for Confederate Memorial Day, but most people I know who don't have government jobs don't get off for minor holidays like Columbus Day, anyway. What makes you think those employers would give off for election day?

[QAnonKelly]

Good. NY was lagging behind other blue states in voting laws. Imo at this point there’s no real reason for blue states to not do heavily (if not all) vote by mail. It saves time and money, is more secure, more convenien, lets people take their time and make informed decisions, and stops intimidation.

[The Mikado]

Electioneering in a polling place is illegal in most, if not all, states.

Technically true, but the distance away in TX is 100 feet and there are always candidates and activists safely about 110 feet away using the line as a captive audience.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Minnesota hasn't had any problems with similar voting reforms.  You may request an absentee ballot for any reason and mail in your vote.  You can deliver your absentee ballot personally to the county elections office. 

Early voting in person begins at least 46 days before the election during normal business hours of the county elections office or city clerk's office and also from at least 10am-3pm the Saturday before the general election and until 5pm the day before election day.

You may register with proof of residence and photo ID at any time and vote immediately.  In addition, if you are in a nursing home or other facility or have an incapacitating disability or injury or are hospitalized, you can ask an agent to pick up and deliver your ballot for you.  This person must be 18 or older, have a pre-existing relationship with you, cannot be a candidate in the election, and may only be an agent for 3 individuals maximum.

Also, on election day, your employer *must* allow you ample time to vote (transportation to polling place, voting, and transportation back to work) at any time of day while the polls are open whether they would have ample time outside of working hours or not.  In addition, they must pay you while you vote.

In Minnesota you *literally* have no reason not to vote, except a desire not to vote.