Sanders camp pushes to extend N.Y. voter registration deadline

[JoeOtterbein]

(The article was written by this DU poster's daughter)

[link:https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/19/sanders-new-york-voter-registration-deadline-1503359|

By HOLLY OTTERBEIN 09/19/2019 12:24 PM EDT

Bernie Sanders supporters complained in 2016 that New York’s strict party registration deadline locked many of them out of the presidential primary, because state voters must be signed on as Democrats six months before Election Day in order to participate.

In 2020, Sanders’ campaign is determined to avoid a repeat.

Sanders’ campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, sent a letter to the Democratic National Committee on Thursday urging it to demand that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approves legislation to extend the state’s voter registration deadline, which is less than a month away.

“In 2016, countless voters across the state of New York were disenfranchised by the state’s arcane and inexcusable early party affiliation deadline — countless voters whose first attempt to engage with the Democratic Party saw them turned away,” Shakir wrote.

snip

more at link

[Me.]

1. Of Course, Because That Strategy Worked So Well For Them Last Time

and all the states are just waiting for Sanders to tell them what to do

[George II]

2. Always wanting to tamper with long-standing rules. What business does he have meddling...

...in NYS Democratic Party rules?

I don't see anyone else clamoring to change them. It's pretty clear - declare your party NOW or get shut out again. Why are people manipulating their party affiliation anyway? If you're a Democrat sign up as one now.

"It's RIGGED"!

[NurseJackie]

4. You're completely right! This strategy... uh... "strategy" isn't going to work.

You're completely right! This strategy... uh... "strategy" isn't going to work.

"It's RIGGED"!

I know! Right?

[George II]

5. It's not even a state Democratic Party "rule", it's Section 5-304 of New York State Election Law.

The Parties have nothing to do with it at all.

One of the main reason for implementing this law was that people were manipulating their party affiliation so they could vote in a party primary for which they weren't originally enrolled. I don't understand why anyone would decide to change their party enrollment close to the date of a primary. Even so, how many of the more than 12.6 million registered voters in New York would be affected? It's not like change of party enrollment is prohibited, it's just that they have to do so prior to the deadline, whatever it is. This is just another unwarranted complaint, surprised they didn't use the words "establishment" and "rigged"!

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ELN/5-304

Enrollment; change of enrollment or new enrollment by previously registered voters

1. A registered voter may change his enrollment in the manner prescribed by this section.

2. The term "change of enrollment" shall apply to applications by a registered voter already enrolled in one party to enroll in a different party, or to delete his enrollment in any party, or an application by a registered voter not enrolled in any party to enroll in a particular party.

3. A change of enrollment received by the board of elections not later than the twenty-fifth day before the general election shall be deposited in a sealed enrollment box, which shall not be opened until the first Tuesday following such general election. Such change of enrollment shall be then removed and entered as provided in this article.

4. Registered voters may apply for change of enrollment personally by mail to or by appearing before a county board of elections or by appearing before a board of inspectors. If the applicant has appeared in person and if the board finds that he or she is properly registered, it shall provide the applicant with an application form for voter registration by mail which shall be treated as an application for change of enrollment filed pursuant to this section. If the voter has applied personally by mail, the county board of elections shall mail him or her an application form for voter registration by mail as provided by this chapter. If a registered voter submits an application form for registration or enrollment as provided by this chapter, from the residence address from which he or she is then registered, and such form reflects a change of enrollment, the county board of elections shall treat such form as an application for change of enrollment filed pursuant to this section. If such application form also sets forth a new address within the same city or county, the board of elections shall also treat such form as an application for transfer of registration pursuant to section 5-208 of this article. If a voter has cast a ballot in an affidavit ballot envelope on which such voter claims a party enrollment different from the enrollment in the records of the board of elections, such affidavit shall be treated as an application for change of enrollment.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread JoeOtterbein.

[LanternWaste]

6. This is troubling for Bernie.

[HeartlandProgressive]

7. what's wrong with extending a voter registration deadline?