ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - Ahead of this presidential election year, some local officials are raising concerns about implementing changes to New York's election laws. They were passed by the legislature last year, opening the door for early voting.
During the 2019 general election, 313 voters in Steuben County cast their ballots before election day. That number is a small portion of the 57,842 voters registered in Steuben County, but Democratic Election Commissioner Kelly Penziul thinks that number is going to increase.
"The possibility of it going up this year is more, because now that it's out there,” she said.
Last year’s early voting initiative was a pilot project, but moving forward, New York might require counties to offer more sites for early voting.
On Saturday, while addressing a gathering of the League of Women Voters, she said that could be problematic. For example, she says the additional staff and equipment could cost up to $16,000.
“They're not out there doing our job,” Penziul said. “They're there thinking, you know, this is what's right for the voter. And I get that, I understand where they're coming from, but they don't understand the burden that puts on us."
New York voters next head to the polls on April 28th for the Presidential primaries.