Court Dismisses Partisan Lawsuit That Seeks to Undermine Absentee Voting 

NEW YORK – Following oral arguments by the New York Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause/NY, a state appellate court today allowed them to intervene in a lawsuit brought by Republican and Conservative Party leaders that would have undermined New York state laws that bolster absentee voting. This ruling, which dismisses the case, allows for the continued submission and count of absentee ballots by Election Day.

“Today’s court decision helps ensure that absentee voting remains accessible to voters across the state — protecting access to the polls for vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director with the New York Civil Liberties Union. “This baseless lawsuit would have only served to sow chaos and confusion, undermining public confidence in our electoral system. From advocating for the John. R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York to vigilant election monitoring, the NYCLU continues to fight against any attempt to suppress the vote.”

The lawsuit sought to challenge a 2022 law that expedites absentee ballot canvassing and to throw out another recent law allowing voters who fear contracting COVID-19 to send in absentee ballots. Following motions by NYCLU, Common Cause/NY, and other parties defending the state’s absentee ballot canvassing laws, a judge granted a stay, blocking a previous ruling that would have stopped election officials from counting absentee ballots in a timely manner.

“We’re glad the Appellate Division ruled on behalf of the voters today, allowing absentee ballot counting and voting to continue on as planned. Nursing mothers, cancer survivors, and immunocompromised senior citizens shouldn’t have to contend with anti-democracy efforts to undo an established and successful voting method. We’re glad that New Yorkers’ right to vote has been upheld,” said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/NY.

You can find case materials here: https://www.nyclu.org/en/cases/nyclus-opposition-partisan-lawsuit-attacking-absentee-voting