Senate passes electoral reform package, including bills introduced by Queens' Gonzalez, Gianaris
The state Senate has passed a legislative package aiming to safeguard election workers and modernize election systems in New York state, including legislation introduced by state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Michael Gianaris.
The legislative package also aims to crack down on deceptive practices that suppress voters, including the use of artificial intelligence to spread misinformation during election campaigns. The package also proposes moving New York’s presidential primary to Super Tuesday to elevate the state’s influence in the presidential nomination process.
The legislative package marks a continuation of a recent Senate tradition to pass a series of voting rights bills to kick off the legislative session, a practice that has been dubbed “Democracy Day.”
Gonzalez’s legislation, S.8646A, would prohibit the intimidation or obstruction of election officers, also barring the unlawful dissemination of election officers’ personal information. The bill creates new criminal and civil penalties for harassing election officials as well as creating “new tools” to shield officers from abuse, including access to the state’s Address Confidentiality Program, which has generally been reserved for victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual assault.
https://qns.com/2026/01/electoral-reform-package-gianaris-gonzalez/