New York voters would be able to cast ballots early through the mail under a proposal that will be heading to Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk.

The measure was applauded by good-government organizations after New York officials allowed for voters to cite COVID as a reason for voting absentee. Republicans, however, have been leery of expanded voting to include more mail-in ballots. 

New York requires voters to provide a reason for why they need an absentee ballot to vote, such as being out of the county in which they are registered to vote or having an illness or disability. 

Voters in 2021 rejected a constitutional amendment to create a system of no-excuse absentee ballots in New York.

"Allowing New Yorkers to vote by mail increases voter turnout in harder to reach populations, including young people and voters of color. We know vote by mail works: New York did it successfully in 2020 when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Common Cause New York Executive Director Susan Lerner. "As a non-partisan, voting rights organization with decades of experience, Common Cause/NY knows that not only is this absolutely legal under our constitution, but the right thing to do."

If signed into law, the measure would take effect starting in 2024. 

“Voting is a fundamental right and the easier we make it to vote, the healthier our democracy will be,” said Sen. Michael Gianaris, who sponsored the measure along with Assemblymember Karines Reyes. “I am proud the State Senate passed this bill and continues to build on its important work of expanding access to the ballot box for all New Yorkers.” 

The Legislature approved the proposal in party-line votes in the final days of the legislative session. Earlier in May, some Republicans opposed the idea of extending the pandemic-era provision to allow for COVID as a reason to vote by absentee. 

"There’s concern overall about how much paper ballots we’re going to be sending out in the mail," Sen. Mark Walczyk said. "It seems like the push overall with one-party control overall is to move more things toward absentee."