Assemblyman Joe DeStefano called out Albany Democrats for playing politics with election integrity after they blocked his voter ID bill designed to ensure honest and secure elections. The law would require voters to present a government-issued photo ID when casting a ballot.
“This is about protecting the integrity of our elections and restoring trust in the process. Requiring photo identification is a common-sense reform supported by the vast majority of Americans,” DeStefano said.
“Albany Democrats talk a lot about democracy, but when it comes to real accountability and securing our elections, they hide behind procedural roadblocks,” he continued. “Voters deserve better. They deserve fair elections and confidence that every ballot is cast legally.”
The Assemblyman stressed that the bill includes safeguards to ensure that no one is disenfranchised due to financial hardship.
Under the law, New Yorkers without valid identification can obtain a non-driver ID card free of charge. It also provides a no-cost process to secure a birth certificate through an affidavit for those who need it, DeStefano noted.
“The Democrats who control state government have reached a point where their policies and track record are so bad they can’t win in a fair election,” the Assemblyman noted. “That’s why they need rules that allow people to vote who can’t even identify themselves. This includes the thousands of illegal immigrants they let into the country so they can harvest their votes. They realize they can’t get elected without cheating, so they block responsible reforms such as voter ID.”
DeStefano vowed to continue pushing for reforms that promote election security while protecting every legal citizen’s right to vote.