Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to issue an executive order sending ballots to all registered voters in New York state so they can vote by mail in the upcoming election on June 23 amid the coronavirus pandemic, sources told NY1 on Monday afternoon.
Earlier this month, Cuomo expanded absentee voting for the election, but voters still had to apply for a ballot by mail. The new order will automatically send ballots to all registered voters.
June 23 is primary day in New York state, with dozens of candidates on the ballot.
There are a number of state Senate and Assembly primaries, as well as congressional races and some special elections that were postponed in March, including for Queens borough president and the Brooklyn City Council seat formerly held by Rafael Espinal.
June 23 is also the day of New York state’s presidential primary. With Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders suspending his campaign for president earlier this month, some have urged state leaders to cancel the primary, which would hand a default victory to former Vice President Joe Biden.
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Sources said a decision on whether to cancel the primary could come as early as Wednesday.