SUPPORT GOVERNOR CUOMO'S EARLY VOTING PROPOSAL

Received from Emily Reiger, Sea Cliff
​February 20, 2018

​To the editor,
 
I am a young Sea Cliff resident and I am writing to you because I am concerned with the lack of voter turn out in New York state. I noticed that governor Cuomo included early voting in his 2018 budget plan, which would be a great first step in fixing this issue. Although New York prides itself in being a progressive state, it is the forty first in the country when it comes to voter turn out, largely because the polls are open for one day. This one-day voting system makes it extremely difficult for working people and students who essentially must choose between work or school, and making it to the polls on time.

            With this early voting policy, working individuals and students will be able to vote twelve days prior to Election day, with the option of voting on the weekend. If this is implemented, students as well as working people will not have to choose between participating in their civic duty and taking a day off from work or school.
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            I am asking that Long Island residents support this policy so working families and students are able to have a say in the government and the policies that affect themselves and their communities.
 
Sincerely,
Emily Rieger