The COVID-19 pandemic created complications for the administration of elections in 2020. And it highlighted not just how elections are conducted in New York, but who administers them. 

After a drawn-out count in the 22nd congressional district, with Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney not being declared the winner until early this year, months after the last vote was cast, good government advocates are discussing ways of reforming how elections are overseen in New York. 

Common Cause New York on Tuesday released a white paper reviewing the issue, backing a series of recommendations that include the creation of a working group of elections administrations, voters, and advocates to assist lawmakers in drafting structural changes to election administrations. 

At the same time, the white paper called for a top-to-bottom of how elections are overseen in New York and whether a bipartisan election administration should continue forward in New York. 

Elections in New York are currently administered by a bipartisan elections board. In other large states, including Texas and California, they are overseen by a secretary of state. California's position is an elected one. 

The full report can be found here.