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Cuomo signs executive order extending party registration enrollment period

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Mon, Feb 15th 2021 10:55 am

Party registration enrollment period extended until Tuesday, Feb. 16

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday announced he signed executive order 202.94, extending the enrollment period for voters to make changes to their party enrollment until Tuesday, Feb. 16, setting forth a uniform statewide policy his camp said, “ensures voters can take advantage of this option regardless that the deadline this year falls on a Sunday. This change is necessary to ensure that Boards of Election have adequate time to process these voter-requested changes considering many boards are short-staffed and operating with reduced density due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The change will go into effect immediately.”

Cuomo said, "The right to vote is one of the sacred pillars of our democracy and, as we continue to fight the war on COVID, we can't put democracy on hold. Today we are extending the period for voters to change their party enrollment until Tuesday, Feb. 16, to help break down more barriers to the ballot box and help ensure everyone has a chance to exercise this fundamental right."

In 2019, the governor signed legislation (S.6532A/A.8228B) expediting party enrollment changes to make it easier for voters to participate in primary elections. Previously, changes to party enrollment did not take effect until after the November general election, requiring voters to wait as long as a year for changes to take effect. The new law removed the Oct. 11 deadline and gave voters until Feb. 14 to make changes to party enrollment. Due to the public health emergency and the fact this Feb. 14 was a Sunday followed by a holiday, Cuomo’s team said, this “common-sense measure ensures the spirit of the law is complied with uniformly statewide.”

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