Statement by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer Calling for Primary Day to be Rescheduled

 With the fall primary election scheduled to conflict with Rosh Hashanah, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released the following statement:

“New Yorkers should never have to choose between voting and observing their faith. But that’s exactly what could happen this year – our primary election conflicts with Rosh Hashanah. As it stands, many Jewish voters could be unable to vote. It’s wrong, and it needs to change. At a time when voter engagement is exceptionally low, New York needs to do better by rescheduling the primary, so no New Yorker has to sacrifice fulfilling one’s civic duty because of adherence to one’s faith. I urge the legislature to pass the bill proposed by Assemblyman Carroll and Senator Kaminsky, which will allow all New Yorkers to participate in the primary election.”

Changing the date of a primary election, which is held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September before every general election, requires an act of the legislature.