Before the 2020 election the state changed the threshold for third parties without automatic ballot access to get on the ballot from 15,000 signatures to 45,000. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign said it spent more than $1 million to collect more than 135,000 signatures. Other third parties are challenging New York ballot access laws. Also, New Yorkers with disabilities face enormous challenges when it comes to employment. To address some of those issues, in 2022, lawmakers expanded a program called “preferred source contracting” to boost opportunities. But the program will sunset in 2025 unless lawmakers take action.
Third parties join RFK in challenging New York ballot access laws and advocates for people with disabilities push to extend preferred source contracting
PUBLISHED 8:00 PM EDT Aug. 09, 2024