Return to News Aug 20, 2024

New York Court of Appeals Rejects GOP Challenge to New York Early Mail Voter Act

In a major victory for voting rights in the Empire State, New York's highest court today upheld the state's Early Mail Voter Act, which permits no-excuse mail-in voting. The ruling from the New York Court of Appeals came in a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Elise Stefanik, and other Republican plaintiffs, immediately after the legislation was enacted in September 2023.

"We applaud the New York Court of Appeals for affirming that the New York Early Mail Voter Act is constitutional. Today's decision is great news for New York voters, who now have the option to cast their vote by mail without having to provide an excuse," said Elias Law Group partner Aria Branch, who served as lead counsel for the Democratic intervenors. "We were proud to represent the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Senator Gillibrand, and New York Democrats in this important lawsuit, and we are thrilled by the Court's pro-democracy decision today."

The court found that New York's Early Mail Voter Act does not violate the state constitution. The 6-1 ruling allows all registered voters in New York to vote by mail during the early voting period, significantly expanding access to the ballot box.

Click here to read the full opinion from the New York Court of Appeals.

Elias Law Group attorneys Aria Branch, Justin Baxenberg, Richard Medina, and Mark Haidar contributed to this case.

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