New York lawmakers to approve early counting of absentee ballots, expand early voting sites Denis Slattery
ALBANY Counting absentee ballots in New York could become a much less frustrating process in future elections thanks to a new bill slated to be approved by state lawmakers this week.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) would allow valid absentee ballots to be scanned in the days before early voting begins and then tabulated on Election Day.
The measure could help avoid the weeks-long wait for results seen in some races last year as New Yorkers used mail-in ballots in record numbers due to the COVID pandemic.