ALBANY -- New York is expected to move the date of its primary election this year.
A bill passed both the Senate and Assembly this month that would push the date of the primary election from Tuesday, Sept. 11, to Thursday Sep. 13.
This year, the last day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Sep. 11, which could make it difficult for people celebrating the holiday to vote, the bill's sponsors said.
“We live in a great democracy where the right to vote is a privilege we don't take lightly," Sen. Simcha Felder, D-Brooklyn, one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement.
“We have done our part to guarantee all voters their right to vote. New Yorkers, who would find it impossible, or difficult to do both, will be able to observe the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, or the solemn day of 9/11, without concern.”
Moving the date would also avoid conflicts with memorial ceremonies associated with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he explained.
According to state officials, any written communication to voters would include capital letters and bold font to inform them of the date change for the primary election this year.
New York's primary is typically held on the second Tuesday in September.
The bill has now been sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose office said it will review the bill.
If he signs it, the primary date for 2018 would only be moved for this year only.
This year's elections include all statewide seats, all 213 state legislative seats and all 27 seats in the U.S. House.
