(WHITE PLAINS, NY) On Monday, June 20, 2016 the Board of Legislators unanimously approved a measure authored and introduced by Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains) which requires County buildings to display and distribute voter registration forms, colloquially known as the “Boykin Bill.”

The Act, co-sponsored by Legislator Catherine Borgia, Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, and Legislator Lyndon Williams, is a common sense measure intended to increase access to voter registration forms, in both English and Spanish, throughout Westchester County during not only this hotly contested election year but for all subsequent elections. The Act also requires County departments to maintain a link to a New York State Voter Registration Form on their webpage.

“Access to the ballot box is a cornerstone of our Democracy. The easier we make it for people to participate in our system the more informed and engaged electorate we will get now and in the future,” stated Legislator Ben Boykin.

This Act re-establishes the policy set forth by County Executive Andy Spano through Executive Order No. 11 of 2002, which was repealed by Current County Executive Robert Astorino through Executive Order No. 1-2015. As noted by some good government groups who have opined on this legislation, it simply requires that County offices have a box with registration forms and a sign saying “take one.”

“If people in government are serious about increasing voter turnout, making voter registration forms available in government offices that serve the general public is a no-brainer.  It is our job to reach people; and putting forms in a box and placing them where people gather is one more way to reach people,” added Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson) who chairs the Committee on Infrastructure charged with overseeing bills related to the Board of Elections.