Advocacy: Boosting Automatic Voter Registration is New York's key to strengthening democracy for everyone

In a significant move aimed at making voting more accessible, New York adopted an Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system in 2020. However, the implementation of this system has been slow, and critical improvements are needed to upgrade it to Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration (EAVR).

Under EAVR, eligible individuals are connected to the ballot when they interact with state agencies like the DMV or apply for Medicaid. This system, which follows best practices from ten other states and Washington, D.C., aims to increase participation and protect voter integrity.

EAVR is particularly important for younger New Yorkers and communities of colour, who are often under-registered and underrepresented in elections. Of the eligible, unregistered voters, 500,000 are Latino, 450,000 are Black, and 250,000 are Asian American.

The U.S. Justice Department, under Donald Trump's administration, announced it would no longer prioritize enforcing voting rights laws. Meanwhile, Republican leadership is advancing legislation like the SAVE Act, which could hinder eligible voters from casting their ballots. In light of these developments, the need for EAVR becomes even more pressing.

In the 2021 mayoral primary in New York City, fewer than 1 million people voted, while over 1 million eligible New Yorkers were not even registered to vote. This underscores the importance of EAVR in ensuring that democracy works best when everyone who is eligible can participate.

Precautions are taken to avoid confusion or mistakes during the automatic voter registration process, especially for individuals facing language barriers. Eligible voters can opt out of automatic voter registration if they wish.

Legislation has been introduced to upgrade the Automatic Voter Registration system to Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration. By keeping voter rolls accurate through updates from state agencies, EAVR offers a smart, proven, and secure way to make voting more accessible for all.

The goal of EAVR is to close the gap in participation for Black, Latino, and Asian American communities that face structural barriers to voting. By making it easier for these communities to exercise their right to vote, EAVR can help ensure that every voice is heard in our democracy.

As the push for EAVR continues, it's crucial to remember that every eligible voter counts. Let's work together to make our democracy more inclusive and ensure that everyone who is eligible can participate in the electoral process.