WASHINGTON – The RNC, NRCC, NYGOP, and New York Conservative Party have joined with New York’s Republican congressional delegation to sue Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State of New York for attempting to remove basic safeguards on absentee voting. 

Key figures in the Republican coalition released the following statements about this election integrity lawsuit.

“New Yorkers had a chance to vote on this policy in 2021 and they overwhelmingly rejected it. The RNC and its partners are stepping in because Kathy Hochul and New York Democrats are ignoring the outcome of that vote to push an unconstitutional attack on mail-in voting safeguards. Undermining election integrity is bad enough – circumventing the democratic process to do so is absolutely unacceptable.” – RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel

“Kathy Hochul and extreme New York Democrats are trying to destroy what is left of election integrity in New York. Under Kathy Hochul's failed leadership, elections are less secure and less transparent and will now be unconstitutional. As a New York voter, I am proud to lead this coalition in defending basic election integrity on behalf of all New Yorkers” – House GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik

“New York Democrats are more focused on rigging the rules than winning on issues. Instead of working to stop crime, lower inflation and ensure parents’ rights in schools, they stick to their extreme policies that New Yorkers rejected once and will again in 2024.” – NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson

“When Democrats can’t compete, they cheat. This cynical attempt to overrule the will of the voters and undermine the Democratic process is being challenged in court. Rather than work to stem the flow of our most productive taxpaying citizens out of the state, radical progressives are working to manipulate elections in their favor in their pursuit of power at all costs.” – NYGOP Chairman Ed Cox

Background:

• This legislation from New York Democrats allows for no-excuse absentee voting. 
• The New York state constitution clearly reserves absentee voting for voters who are physically absent from their county of residence, or sick.
• Changing this voting practice requires a constitutional amendment. 
• New York Democrats put forward a constitutional amendment to do so in 2021, but it was voted down by New Yorkers (55% against, 45% for).
• By ignoring the outcome of that referendum and trying to pass this law, Kathy Hochul and New York Democrats are ignoring the democratic process and undermining the state constitution.
• This unnecessary and overreaching proposed law would also create significant administrative obstacles for state election officials by enacting a huge procedural rule change just months before key New York elections.
• New York Democrats are prioritizing extreme partisan attacks on basic election safeguards over the will of their constituents.
• This Republican coalition is stepping in to protect election integrity and defend New Yorkers from activist Democrats who are trying to undermine the rule of law.
• The RNC is involved in over 50 cases of election integrity litigation in 16 states and remains committed to making it easier to vote and harder to cheat in New York and nationwide.
• Read a copy of the filing HERE.

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