Last week the State Senate passed a bill to allow for automatic voter registration in New York State.  The bill is still pending in the Assembly and the League is working with our coalition partners to urge the Assembly Speaker to bring this bill to the floor.

This week, several media outlets reported that Assembly Speaker Heastie did not want to move the bill until several technical changes were made, including expanding the agencies who would be charged with assisting in automatically registering voters. Although we are in favor of expanding the number of agencies who register voters, we are more focused on seeing the legislation passed before the end of the session. 

Several insiders have also suggested that the Governor may introduce his own version of the bill in his budget proposal (expected to be released early next week).  We will continue to keep members updated on the movement of this legislation.

On February 14th the National League will celebrate its 100th anniversary. National has encouraged all state Leagues to host a day of action on February 14th in celebration of their centennial. 

 The New York State League is asking our local Leagues to use this day of action to advocate for our 2020 budget priorities. The state budget negotiations take place from late January until April 1st. During this time, the state League will be working to secure funding for recently passed election reforms, the state's first ever independent redistricting commission, and government ethics reforms. 

Join us on February 13th for a member wide webinar to educate members about our budget priorities and share actions that can be taken on February 14th to celebrate the National League's 100th birthday. A packet of advocacy materials including social media graphics, call scripts, sample letters to the editor, and lobbying materials, will be shared with members before this webinar. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for webinar login information! 

Save the date! Join Barbara Bartoletti, former Legislative Director for the League of Women Voters of New York State, and Liz Benjamin, journalist and Managing Director of Marathon Strategies, for an evening of honor and celebration. The event will take place in Albany at the New York State Museum.

A tireless advocate and full-time volunteer who served as a voice for citizens and a force for change, Barbara will share a few of the many highlights, accomplishments and challenges spanning her 40+ year career-including passage of the Clean Indoor Air Act and the continued push for campaign finance reform and government transparency. 

Those wishing to join our honorary committee can do so here. Tickets to the event will be released early next month.

Tuesday, January 21st

Assembly Session @ 2:00 pm. Watch live here. 

S enate Session @ 3:00 pm. Watch live   here . 

Senate Election Law Committee. Room 904 LOB @ 1:00 pm. Watch live here .

Bills We're Watching:

S2311 -Reduces the time for mailing and receipt of registration application to constitutional minimum.

S6463 -  Authorizes the city of New York to establish an electronic voter registration transmittal system for New York city residents

Wednesday, January 22nd

Assembly Session @ 2:00 pm. Watch live here. 

Senate Session @ 3:00 pm. Watch live here. 

Senate Finance Committee. Room 124 CAP @ 11:00 am. Watch live  here . 

Senate Health Committee. Room 124 CAP @ 12:00 pm. Watch live here . 

Assembly Health Committee. Room 823 LOB @ 1:00 pm. 

Thursday, January 23rd

Assembly Session @ 12:00 pm. Watch live here. 

S enate Session @ 11:00 am. Watch live   here . 

 Full Session Calendar for 2020