NY State Senator Kristen Gonzalez on the Announcement of the 2026 Elections Integrity Bill Package

Recording of Senator Kristen Gonzalez's Speech here.

New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Chair of the Senate Elections Committee, speaks on the announcement of the 2026 Elections Integrity Legislative Package. The package is made up of a variety of bills that  protects voters from deception and suppression, expands access to the ballot box, invests in training and protection for our election officers, and affirms a simple principle: every voter deserves to vote safely, freely, and without fear.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections, and bill sponsor, Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “Democracy works best when every New Yorker can participate freely, safely, and without fear of intimidation. As Chair of the Elections Committee, I’m proud that this legislative package strengthens election integrity by expanding accessibility, protecting voters and election workers, and confronting the growing threats of political violence and foreign influence. My bill, The New York Election Officer Protection Act (S.8646), makes it clear – violence and intimidation have no place in our elections. I’m proud of our state and legislature’s commitment to being a leader in voter rights and reaffirming that our democracy belongs to the people.”

The election reforms being passed by the Senate Democratic Majority include:

• New York Election Officer Protection Act: This bill, S.8646A, sponsored by Senator Gonzalez, prohibits the intimidation, obstruction, or the unlawful dissemination of personal information of election officers. 
• Crimes of Voter Deception and Suppression: This bill, S.1085, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, would prohibit deceptive practices and the suppression of voters, and increase penalties for violations of the elective franchise.
• The Democracy Preservation Act: This bill, S.324, sponsored by Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris, would ban political spending by foreign-influenced business entities in New York’s state and local elections.
• Establishing Portable Polling Locations: This bill, S.568, sponsored by Senator May, would authorize county boards of elections to establish county-wide portable polling locations for early voting.
• Registering to Vote at a Secondary Residence: This bill, S.1036, sponsored by Senator Myrie, would permit a voter to register to vote at a secondary residence with which they maintain a continuous connection, and at which they intend to remain.
• Training for BOE Commissioners: This bill, S.1035, sponsored by Senator Myrie, would require the State Board of Elections to create a mandatory, uniform training curriculum for all election commissioners.
• Changing the NYS Presidential Primary Date: This bill, S.8604, sponsored by Senator Skoufis, would move the presidential primary date in New York State to Super Tuesday.