New York’s Democrat-led legislature passed a slate of new voter-related laws including a new Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) process into law.
The law takes the individual’s decision to register to vote out of the hands of the individual and gives state agencies the mandate to register you to vote. This means that if you interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles, state social service and health agencies, or SUNY you will be registered to vote unless you specifically opt-out at that time. $16.6 million in taxpayer funds will be spent on the program.
During debate on the Senate floor, it became clear that the law excludes certain groups of potential voters who also interact with state registration agencies on applications and checks. Hunters, fishermen, and gun owners are specifically excluded.
When asked about the Democrats excluding likely Republican voters from the AVR Law, New York State Conservative Party Chairman said, “I mean, obviously the political angle to this New York state government under Governor Hochul is obvious, it's disturbing and it's frankly consistent, she's all politics, all the time.”
Sen Borrello (R-Silver Bay) noted the exclusion of these categories of eligible voters in his remarks on the floor. He asked why these state agencies are excluded. Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Gianaris (D-Queens), sponsor of the law, said that there were database connectivity issues that would prevent that. However, no proposals were made by the Democrats to make necessary adaptations to include these agencies in the near future.
Borello said, “By excluding certain groups and introducing vulnerabilities that weaken election security, this system presents more risks than benefits, which is why I voted ‘no,'" said Senator George Borrello, a member of the Senate Elections Committee.”
Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-) says, “If one state agency participates in this practice, all state agencies should participate. However, that would be fair and politics is not about fairness but winning. The Democrats have the votes to do this and they are ruthless when it comes to taking advantage of an opportunity like this. After President Trump’s strong performance in many Democratic districts, they’re worried.”
The exclusion of these voters while including students and those on social welfare raises the question of partisan intent. Outdoorsmen and gun owners may tend to tilt Republican more than other blocks of people who interact with state agencies.
Borello added, “"Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) in New York is being promoted as a way to ensure every eligible voter is registered, but the design of the system seems geared toward enrolling individuals more likely to vote for Democrats. By implementing the process only at the DMV and social services agencies, while excluding offices that serve those applying for hunting and fishing licenses or veterans’ benefits, it appears there is a deliberate intent to favor one political party.”
“If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle fully believe Automatic Voter Registration is good for New York’s electorate, then let’s do it for anyone who interacts with any state agency,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford). “Excluding Hunters, fishermen, and gun owners isn’t a good look.”
On the issue of how AVR will protect NY’s voter rolls from non-citizen’s from being registered, Borello said “While advocates claim the process is secure and efficient, real-world examples tell a different story. States like Oregon, which use the same ‘back-end’ AVR system proposed in Senate Bill 88, have seen non-citizens mistakenly added to voter rolls - proving that these systems are far from foolproof.”
The Democrats claim this law will improve access to registration, boost enrollment, and raise voter participation. Although there is certainly evidence that AVR boosts enrollment, there is not much data showing it increases actual voting. People who are not inclined to register to vote of their own volition are not, by definition, more likely to vote because the state registered them to vote.