The new provision of the Voting Rights Act, effective Sept. 22, mandates local governments to obtain 'preclearance' from the Attorney General before making various election-related decisions.
This shift grants unprecedented power to Attorney General Letitia James, significantly altering the traditional bipartisan election administration system that has functioned effectively in New York.
The requirement of preclearance extends even to small changes, such as reassessing poll sites or adjusting early voting hours, impacting election administration at a local level.
The Voting Rights Act highlights the state's focus on protecting vulnerable communities, with jurisdictions falling under the preclearance rule based on arrest rates pertaining to 'protected classes'.
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