Policy & Legislative Agendas
The NY BIPOC Democracy Table advocates for issues falling into Money in Politics, Voter Access/Voter Protection, and Universal Suffrage. Two of our 2025 legislative and policy priorities are as follows:
NYS Public Campaign Finance Program
The dominance of big money in our politics makes it far more challenging for people of color to exert political power and effectively advocate for their interests, as both wealth and power are consolidated by a small, very white share of the population due to our nation’s legacy of racism.
- When elections are funded primarily by wealthy white donors, candidates as a whole are less likely to prioritize the needs of people of color.
- Big donors and corporate interests often diverge significantly from those of working families on economic policies such as the minimum wage and paid sick leave.
- Candidates of color are less likely to run for elected office, raise less money when they do, and are less likely to win.
After over twenty years of advocacy, the NYS Public Campaign Finance Program was implemented in 2022 to help address some of the inequities in our political system. The program successfully completed its first cycle on Election Day 2024, and the initial analysis of data made available as of October 2024 points to the following:
- Over 300 candidates opted into the program; over 160 received public matching funds.
- 40% of the top 15 recipients of public matching funds running for Assembly candidates were self-identified people of color. In comparison, 20% of the top 15 recipients of public matching funds running for State Senatorial candidates were self-identified people of color.
- Candidates not in competitive races were ineligible for public matching funds.
The Public Campaign Finance Board will issue its performance report in January 2025. We will use the evidence in the report to strengthen the program in anticipation of the 2026 election cycle, which began on November 6, 2024. We must also ensure the program is adequately budgeted.
Democracy During Detention Act (S6875/A9612)
Most citizens detained in jails have not lost their right to vote. Yet, their access to the ballot is severely limited, if not obstructed entirely, due to the lack of a formalized process for ensuring registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots are distributed and returned on time. We need to ensure that those who have the right to vote also have the ability to vote.
Passing the Democracy During Detention Act (S6875/A9612) will guarantee fair and timely access to at least one secure voting method for detained citizens who retain their right to vote and pave the way for a more inclusive and just democracy.
- Set a statewide standard to improve the absentee balloting program for eligible citizens detained in jails.
- Establish a bipartisan in-person absentee ballot collection program for large correctional facilities, run by election officials.
- Give election boards the option to deploy a poll site at jails.