State approves $10 million for early voting, including $27K for Orleans

Posted 30 August 2019 at 7:46 am

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

The NYS Division of Budget announced on Thursday that it is approving the State Board of Elections’ plan to distribute $10 million to county governments to support early voting implementation.

The SFY 2019-20 Budget allocated a total of $24.7 million for assistance with implementing a series of election law reforms, including early voting and authorization for counties to use e-poll book technology in the upcoming 2019 elections.

This funding was split between two pots of money: $14.7 million for capital equipment purchases, including e-poll books and specialized printers, and $10 million that was appropriated to reimburse local boards of elections for costs related to the implementation of early voting.

The State Board of Elections submitted a reimbursement plan allocating the $10 million to counties across the state. The funding includes $27,251 for Orleans County, which has 24,590 registered voters.

“There was never any question that the full $10 million to support early voting would be made available, and the full amount has been approved,” said New York State Budget Director Robert F. Mujica, Jr. “We look forward to the expanded access to the polls that early voting will provide voters this fall.”

“The election reforms passed by state lawmakers this year, including early voting, will provide greater access for New Yorkers as they head to the polls,” said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. “As counties gear up to open early voting sites in just under 60 days, we are grateful to New York State and Budget Director Mujica for committing vital funding for early voting implementation costs. These state resources are necessary to ensure smooth and accessible elections in communities across the state.”

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