Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) applauded U.S District Judge Gary Sharpe’s decision to set a June date for the New York State congressional primary election, as opposed to a July or August date, which would have made it very difficult for many including Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community to vote.
In a December letter to Judge Sharpe, Greenfield expressed his support for a June primary date to encourage the highest possible voter turnout. He argued that a July or August date would make it very difficult for many New Yorkers, including Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish population, to vote since many go on vacation during July and August. This would have had a disproportionate impact on Brooklyn’s Orthodox community, many of whom move to the Catskills or New Jersey for the summer.
Many legislators including the Republican leadership of the New York State Senate pushed for an August primary date to accommodate their legislative schedule, but Greenfield argued that the needs of voters, and not legislators, should be paramount. “This is a rare victory for the average New Yorker over special interests. I thank Judge Sharpe for his decision and am grateful to have played a role in ensuring that my constituents have their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Greenfield.
The judge needed to move the usual September primary election date in response to a federal lawsuit over the federal Military Overseas Voters Empowerment Act, which requires states to send absentee ballots to military and other overseas voters at least 45 days before the general election. On Friday, Judge Sharpe set the fourth Tuesday in June for New York’s congressional primary. While this ruling only impact the congressional primaries, it is logical for the state to move all of the state’s legislative primaries to this date, as well.
“This ruling correctly takes into account the brave men and women of our armed forces serving abroad and the many residents who leave New York City for the summer, including nearly half of the families in my district. Judge Sharpe’s ruling means another group of voters won’t be disenfranchised. I argued for a June primary date over one in July or August because I believe that government has a responsibility to make voting as easy as possible for all of its citizens,” concluded Greenfield.
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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One Response
How about pushing for voting online?
And for those who say it favors the middle and upper class only, the current system favors only favors the lower class so the middle and upper class deserve something.
In the current system, there is a place to vote in almost every project, while in single family home areas, we have to got some times a half a mile to vote.