New York State Seems to be Behind in Current Electoral Laws

Congressman Chris Collins has suspended his re-election campaign three days after he was arrested for insider trading. In terms of who’s going to replace Collins in the November ballot is unsaid. Partially, due to New York State’s electoral laws.

Margaret Thompson, associate professor of history and political science in the Maxwell School, was interviewed by WHEC Rochester in a story about the Collins investigation. Regarding New York State laws she says, “Well it tells us that New York has some of the most restrictive laws that govern our elections of any state in the country.”

Thompson says New York State is one of the few stated that aren’t up to date with current election laws. “One of the few states that doesn’t have early voting, or one of the few states that has very restrictive rules on changing amongst party registration, we don’t have mail ballots, it’s a very restrictive and I would say outdated electoral law in New York State,” she notes.