Bill To Allow COVID-19 Absentee Ballots To Be Counted

A new bill has been sent to Governor Cuomo’s office, to allow voters to use COVID-19 as a reason for absentee voting.

According to Rochester First, Bill A10833 was passed by legislators and recently sent to Governor Cuomo’s office. If the bill is signed into law, it will take effect immediately.

Many voters are skeptical of voting in person for the general election in November, so Senator Alessandra Biagga sponsored a bill to expand absentee voting. During “normal” times, voters needed a specific reason to request an absentee ballot in New York. Voters are typically eligible for an absentee ballot if they can’t physically go to the polling site because they are absent from the country or they have some sort of physical disability.

COVID-19 has changed many things in 2020, and the general election is no different. If the bill is signed into law, it will allow voters to cite concerns related to the spread or contracting of COVID-19.

We’ve all heard Donald Trump’s concerns over “mailing” or “absentee” voting. He has expressed his concerns or beliefs, that voter fraud would be extensive. Although many states have voted by mail for decades, there is no evidence of massive voter fraud.

Accusations have been made against the Trump campaign for using the United States Post Office, and the mail delivery system, as a form of voter suppression. Members of the Democratic Party are trying to have absentee voting expanded to prevent the excessive spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Any way you look at it, there is a lot at stake with the 2020 general election. Whether the bill is signed into law or not, I strongly encourage everyone to exercise your right to vote like your life depends on it, because it does!