A coalition of New York Republican lawmakers is contesting legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D‑NY) on Wednesday that expands early voting by mail.
In a series of 10 new election bills, Hochul empowered any registered New York voter to cast an early ballot by mail. State Republicans filed a lawsuit against the measure, with House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R‑NY) leading the charge. The lawsuit states the new rules would remove regulation on mass mail ballots, arguing it’s against the state Constitution.
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BREAKING NEWS: I will always stand up for election integrity for NYers which is why today I filed a lawsuit against Kathy Hochul with members of the NY Delegation, @GOP, @NRCC, @NewYorkGOP, and @cpny challenging the unconstitutional unregulated mass mail ballots in New York… pic.twitter.com/SJLe9H5gTq
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) September 20, 2023
“Kathy Hochul and extreme New York Democrats are trying to destroy what is left of election integrity in New York,” Stefanik said. “Under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, elections are less secure and less transparent and now they will be unconstitutional.”
Republicans cite New York voters’ rejection of a ballot measure in 2021 that was heavily backed by Democrats. The failed constitutional amendment would have allowed universal absente …