Could Auburn become the model for voting across New York State?
Speaking on FLX Morning, State Senator Rachel May said she believes the city’s model where residents can vote at any of its polling places could become a model for the rest of New York State.
“I think what Auburn did last time around should be a model for the whole state,” May said. “There should be that option that there are standard polling places everyone can go to.”
May, who represents the entirety of Cayuga County and parts of Onondaga County, has introduced a bill in the state senate that would allow county boards of elections to create county-wide polling places, meaning a resident could vote at any of these vote centers for primaries and general elections. May said it’s all thanks to technology.
“This is all possible because we put in place the electronic poll books a few years back which means you can print a ballot on demand so wherever you show up you can get the ballot that is right for your specific address,” said May.
If enacted, a county would have to get approval from the state Board of Elections before establishing such centers.
May added that early voting has been on the rise. In Cayuga County, residents can early vote in one of three polling places throughout the county, located in Auburn, Cato, and Moravia.