STATEMENT: Institute for Responsive Government Applauds Elections Funding in New York Senate 2024 Budget Proposal
New York State Senate Budget Proposal Includes Funding For Elections Infrastructure, ERIC, and NY VRA Database
For Immediate Release:
March 13, 2024
Contact:
Albany, New York — On Monday evening, the New York State Senate introduced their 2024/2025 “one house” budget proposal, in the next step of budget negotiations for the state of New York. Their amendments to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 $233 billion budget proposal, which was released in January, added $10.8 million in funding for elections infrastructure, including $10 million for local Boards of Elections for staff, training, and informational campaigns; funding for New York to join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multistate voter list maintenance organization; and funding to establish the Dr. John Flateau New York Voting Rights Database and Academic Center, the database supporting New York’s Voting Rights Act.
The additional funding for New York elections comes in the midst of a critical federal election year and in the face of rising scrutiny of election systems and security around the country. New York State’s presidential primary will take place on April 2, 2024, with early voting beginning on March 23, 2024.
“The New York State Senate is showing what it looks like to take proactive steps to strengthen, modernize, and improve our democracy,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, executive director of the Institute for Responsive Government. “Their proposals would help to ensure millions of eligible New Yorkers are able to participate in secure, efficient, and accessible elections.”
“New York election officials, and election offices around the country, should be given the resources they need to do their jobs. Funding important elections infrastructure and joining ERIC – which is far and away one of the best ways to ensure that voter rolls are accurate and up-to-date – would be two major wins for the people of New York. We hope the state House and Governor Hochul are on board with these important proposals from the New York Senate.”
To speak with Sam Oliker-Friedland about the New York State Senate’s election funding proposals in the state budget, please contact dan@responsivegov.org.
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The Institute for Responsive Government is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to ensuring state and federal governments work effectively for the very people they serve. IRG provides data, research, and expertise to elected officials in order to find practical policy solutions that make government systems more efficient, accessible, and responsive.