DATE: May 21, 2025
Agudath Israel of America supports S6996/A1223, which adjusts the petition filing deadline for the 2026 election to avoid a conflict with Passover.
For Orthodox Jewish New Yorkers, the first days of Passover involve religious restrictions that prohibit work, use of electronics, and travel. These rules prevent observant individuals from filing petitions or registering to vote during the holiday. As it stands, the current deadline would unfairly exclude them from key parts of the electoral process.
This bill offers a simple and fair fix by moving the deadline to a day that avoids the conflict. It ensures that all New Yorkers, regardless of faith, have equal access to participate in democracy.
We therefore strongly support this bill and urge its passage.
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