Felder Introduces “Restore Faith in Voting Act”
State Senator Simcha Felder (D-Midwood) introduced legislation on Friday that aims to reform problematic voting machines across New York City.
The “Restore Faith in Voting Act” looks to address the major difficulties with voting machine breakdowns and long delays that can sometimes plague poll sites on election day.
The measure has a three-prong strategy to improve the voting experience across the five boroughs and the entire state:
- Part A: Change NYC Voting Machines: Requires New York City Board of Elections (BOE) to purchase and operate Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines which are permissible under NYS law. These voting machines are designed to allow voting by simply touching the screen. Voters review a paper record of their vote before casting it, which then acts as the vote of record for audits and recounts. The cost for the new machines would be borne by the State.
- Part B: Improve Poll Worker Training and Recruitment: Requires NYS Board of Elections (BOE) to establish and host an Education and Training Institute to develop a curriculum for poll worker training and require election commissioners and employees to complete mandatory annual training.
- Part C: Voting Machine Technicians Unit: Creates a Mobile Operations Voting Equipment Unit or MOVE unit. The MOVE unit consists of at least two skilled technicians proficient in the voting machine technology operated by the BOE. MOVE Units will be deployed by the BOE on Election Day to polling places where a voting machine has stopped operating or is malfunctioning. At least one MOVE Unit will be available for service for every 100 polling sites.
“It is clear from this November’s election that changes are desperately needed to help citizens vote in New York City. This legislation ensures that New Yorkers who show up to the polls are not met with broken machines and long lines,” said Felder.
“Voting is the most fundamental right we have as Americans, but when we can’t exercise that right because of broken machines and long lines, I question our commitment to democracy. New Yorkers shouldn’t leave their polling site wondering whether their vote was properly recorded. This bill rights an injustice for many New Yorkers who simply want to participate in the electoral process,” added Felder.
Bichotte Will Help Distribute 600 Turkeys For Thanksgiving
Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) will help distribute 600 turkeys to local service-based organizations that are serving Brooklynites in need this Thanksgiving.
Recipient groups include HELP USA, a national organization that develops and manages permanent supportive housing, operates shelters, and runs prevention programs, and Masbia, a local kosher soup kitchen network.
Bichotte will be joined by local elected officials, including State Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) and Council Members Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect-Lefferts, Ditmas Park; parts of Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush) and Jumaane D. Williams, as well as sponsors and partners that made this distribution possible, including Brooklyn Roasting Company, BSE Global, Kings Plaza Shopping Center, National Grid, Omni New York LLC, One Brooklyn Fund Inc., Plaza Auto Mall, Radio 103.9, Shelter Rock Builders, Shop Rite, and Target.
The event is slated for 4 p.m., today, Nov. 19, at Plaza Auto Mall, at 2740 Nostrand Avenue in Midwood.
CM Williams Reproductive Bill Gets City Council Hearing
City Council member Jumaane Williams’ (D-flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) legislation, the ‘NYC Boss Bill,’ will be heard before the New York City Council Committee on Civil and Human Rights today.
The measure specifically protects against employment discrimination on the basis of ‘sexual and reproductive health decisions,’ which refers to any decision to receive services which are arranged for or offered or provided to individuals relating to the reproductive system and its functions, including, but not limited to, fertility-related medical procedures, family planning services and counseling, including, but not limited to, access to all medically approved birth control drugs and supplies, emergency contraception, sterilization procedures, pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, abortion procedures and HIV testing and counseling.
The push for the bill’s passage comes four years after the landmark decision in the Supreme Court case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Inc. In 2014, the Court struck down the contraceptive mandate, a regulation adopted by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requiring employers to cover certain contraceptives for their female employees, by a 5-4 vote.
The bill was previously introduced in October of 2017. Williams at a rally in support of the measure yesterday promised to push for the legislation to become law as quickly as possible.
The NYC Boss Bill is similar to the ‘Boss Bill’ currently before the New York State Legislature, that would guarantee that New Yorkers can access medical procedures and medicine without fear of repercussion or retaliation in the workplace by expanding the NYC Human Rights Law.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, Nov. 19, at City Hall — Council Chambers, in Lower Manhattan.
Walker, Ampry-Samuel Hosts Annual Inter-Generational Thanksgiving Dinner
Assembly member Latrice Walker (D) alongside City Council member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, both from Brownsville, will hosts their 4th Annual Inter-generational Thanksgiving dinner this week.
The Inter-generational Thanksgiving Day Dinner is a yearly event where hundreds of
senior citizens enjoy a filling dinner, while being entertained. The event features entertainment
from students across the district, who sing and perform dance routines while festivities also include prizes.
The event is slated 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 22, at the Van Dyke Community Center, at 392 Blake Avenue in Brownsville.
For more information, please contact Cynthia Moices at cmoices@council.nyc.gov or (718) 953-3097 or Amaris Cockfield at cockfielda@nyassembly.gov.
