AARP Urges Governor to Sign Bill to Allow NYers to Stay Safe in November Elections by Voting Absentee

Biaggi-Dinowitz Bill Would Let Registered Voters Cite Concern about Contracting Coronavirus as Valid Reason for Requesting Absentee Ballot

ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today after final state legislative passage last night of a bill sponsored by Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz (S8015D/A10833) to allow voters concerned about voting in person because of an epidemic or disease outbreak to request an absentee ballot:

“Older voters in our state should not have to risk their lives or their health to exercise their right to vote; nobody should forfeit their right to vote for fear of dying.

“With the pandemic still upon us, all registered voters should be able to cast their ballots safely from home if they choose in the November general election.

“By allowing registered voters to request an absentee ballot if they are unable to appear personally at their polling place because of an epidemic or disease outbreak, this bill achieves that goal.

“Voters 50+ - and particularly those 65+ - have historically voted in the greatest numbers, but they’re the most susceptible to COVID-19. A pandemic should not put them at a disadvantage.

“AARP New York thanks Senator Biaggi and Assemblyman Dinowitz for protecting New Yorkers’ safety with their legislation, and we call on Governor Cuomo to sign it into law.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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