(WHITE PLAINS, NY) After County Executive Rob Astorino rescinded an Executive Order from the prior administration which made it easier to register to vote, Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains) has introduced legislation to codify requirements that will engage more citizens in the electoral process.  The initial Executive Order, signed in 2002, required voter registration forms to be placed at any County facility that “currently provides walk-in services to the public” in order to reach a broader range of potential voters and, thereby enhance the voter registration process in Westchester County.  County Executive Astorino rescinded that order early in 2015. 

“Voter turnout was at an all-time low in 2015 and the excitement around Presidential elections will motivate many more people to register to vote,” Legislator Boykin said. “This measure does not cost an additional dime to anybody, anywhere.  The fact that the Astorino Administration took steps to disenfranchise voters in Westchester County is entirely uncharacteristic of this community and I hope we can correct this quickly.”  

It is widely known voter participation peaks in Presidential election years and also generally attracts larger sums of new registrations than any other year.     

Employees of each department that would be required to furnish the voter registration forms would not be required to help facilitate the registration process. Only agencies that were previously designated to provide “agency assisted voter registration” in accordance with New York State election law would be charged with more proactive duties.  The Legislation is co-sponsored by Legislators Catherine Borgia and MaryJane Shimsky.   

The policy shall apply to the following Westchester County administrative Departments:
•    County Clerk’s Office
•    Community Mental Health
•    Health
•    Social Services
•    Parks, Recreation & Conservation
•    Human Resources
•    Senior Programs & Services
•    Probation
•    Human Rights Commission
•    Taxi and Limousine Commission