Voting should be easy and straightforward, not burdensome and overcomplicated. In order to make sure every voice is heard, voters deserve to comfortably cast their vote while fully understanding what’s on their ballot.

New York legislators have introduced two bills to improve the voting process – A1346 allowing food and water to be distributed at polling locations, and A1722 requiring amendment proposals and ballot measures to be written in plain and clear language.

We’re urging you to call Assembly Speaker Heastie and urge him to hold votes on the Food and Water and Plain Language Bills before the end of the legislative session so that each New Yorker gets a fair opportunity to make their voice heard at the polls.

Dial Speaker Heastie at 518-455-3791.

If you need an idea of what to say, you can use the script below:

“Hi, my name is [NAME], and I’m calling to urge Speaker Heastie to call an Assembly vote on two bills removing barriers to voting for New Yorkers.

A1346 (the Food and Water Bill) would allow food and water to be distributed in line at the polls providing support to voters faced with long waits to vote. A1722 (the Plain Language Bill) would set standards for ballot language to be clear and coherent, so no voter is disenfranchised by complicated language.

It is critical that the Assembly votes on these bills before the end of session, so they can go into effect by the 2024 election. Thank you for your consideration.”

*If you can, please make one more call to your Assemblymember and ask them to support A1346 and A1722. Find your Assemblymember's Albany office phone number here.*