New York’s mail-in voting law upheld by the state’s top court

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York law allowing any registered voter to cast a ballot by mail was upheld Tuesday by the state’s highest court, which rejected a Republican challenge to the legislation.

The 6-1 ruling from the state Court of Appeals affirmed lower courts in finding that the voting expansion law approved by the Legislature last year did not violate the state’s constitution. The lawsuit was part of a widespread GOP effort to tighten voting rules after the 2020 election and was led by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Challengers argued that the constitution requires most people to vote in person. Chief Judge Rowan Wilson wrote in the majority opinion that while the question was “difficult,” there is no “clear, unequivocal, and persistent” understanding by the government that this is the case.

Democrats initially attempted to expand mail voting through a constitutional amendment in 2021, but voters rejected the proposal after a campaign from conservatives, who said it would lead to voter fraud.

Republicans in New York denounced the top court’s decision, especially in light of voters rejecting the amendment.

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