FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 25, 2000
| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Edward Skyler (212) 788-2958 |
The next bill before me is Introductory Number 450-B, sponsored by Council Members Miller, Pinkett and Public Advocate Green. This bill would require nearly every City agency to implement and administer a program to distribute voter registration forms.
Under this legislation, participating agencies would offer members of the public voter registration forms together with written applications for agency services or renewal of services. Voter registration forms would also be incorporated into participating agencies' applications at the earliest practicable time, and be included with agency communications sent through the U.S. Mail for the purpose of supplying a person with an application for or renewal of services. Agencies would be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, which could assist in defining the scope of agency services for purposes of this bill.
Increasing the number of registered voters in New York City is a noble goal. This bill will provide additional opportunities for people to receive voter registration forms. My Administration worked closely with Speaker Vallone and members of the Council to ensure that this legislation could achieve its goal of bringing more citizens to the voter rolls without placing undue operational and legal burdens on City agencies. It is my hope that the program mandated by this bill will result in a larger number of registered voters in the City of New York.
For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
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