Policy & Legislative Agenda 2026
Why state action is more urgent than ever
In 2026, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais gutted Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act, stripping communities of color of a critical tool to challenge discriminatory voting laws. New York must lead. Our state has a responsibility — and an opportunity — to enact strong, durable protections that the federal government has failed to guarantee. The bills below represent our 2026 legislative priorities across three areas: voter access, voter protection, and money in politics.
Voter Access: Expanding who can participate
Democracy During Detention Act (DDDA) — S440 / A2121
Most people detained in jails have not lost their right to vote — yet their access to the ballot is severely limited due to the absence of a formalized voting process. The DDDA closes that gap.
- Sets a statewide standard for absentee ballot access in county jails
- Establishes a bipartisan in-person absentee ballot collection program for large facilities, run by election officials
- Gives election boards the option to deploy a poll site at jails
Same-Day Voter Registration — S.1980 / A.1804
New York’s current registration deadline locks out eligible voters who miss the cutoff — a barrier that falls disproportionately on communities of color, young voters, and low-income New Yorkers.
- Allows eligible voters to register and cast a ballot on the same day
- Brings New York in line with 21 other states that have already adopted same-day registration
- Reduces the impact of voter roll purges and administrative errors
Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration (EAVR) — S.264 / A.1544
Builds on New York’s existing automatic voter registration system by expanding the agencies that automatically register eligible voters and improving data accuracy.
- Expands AVR to additional state agencies beyond the DMV
- Ensures eligible New Yorkers are registered without additional steps
- Reduces the registration gap for BIPOC communities with lower rates of DMV interaction
New York Counts Act — S.4206 / A.4368
Protects New York’s ability to conduct a fair and accurate census count — a foundation for equitable representation and federal resource allocation in BIPOC communities.
- Establishes dedicated state funding for census outreach and hard-to-count communities
- Ensures New York does not lose representation due to an undercount of communities of color
Voter Protection: Defending the right to vote
Democracy Preservation Act (DPA) — S324 / A1258
With federal voting rights protections weakened, the DPA establishes New York as a backstop — codifying protections against voter suppression at the state level.
- Prohibits voting practices that have a discriminatory effect on BIPOC voters
- Complements the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (2022) by strengthening enforcement mechanisms
- Ensures New York voters are protected regardless of what happens at the federal level
Money in Politics: Leveling the playing field
New York State Public Campaign Finance Program — Enacted 2020, protect & strengthen
After more than twenty years of advocacy, New York’s Public Campaign Finance Program was implemented in 2022 — the largest small-donor matching program in the nation. The program completed its first full cycle in 2024. Now we must protect and strengthen it for 2026 and beyond.
- Over 300 candidates opted in during the 2024 cycle; more than 160 received public matching funds
- Must be adequately budgeted and insulated from rollback as the 2026 cycle is now underway