NY considers law to allow parties and election workers to serve snacks, drinks to voters

They’re hungry for a change in New York’s voting laws.

State lawmakers said there’s a way to keep voters waiting in line from bolting or even fainting: feed them.

A bill introduced by Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn) would allow election workers and party and campaign officials to offer “nominal” snacks and refreshments to New Yorkers waiting to vote.

A new law introduced in the state Assembly would allow New Yorkers to be offered snacks by party and campaign officials and election workers while waiting in line to vote. Michael Nagle

“In New York State, despite continued progress on making our elections more accessible, certain polling locations continue to have massive lines,” Simon said in her bill memo. “Leaving those lines for a simple glass of water can forfeit a voter’s position, which is often not an option for individuals taking time off from work.

“Voting should not be an endurance test and allowing organizations to provide nominal refreshments will help protect their franchise until voting is no longer a burden.”

A similar measure had previously passed the state Senate. The measure is sponsored there by state Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn), who is running for mayor.

But it hasn’t passed the Democratic-run Assembly.

A ban on giving food and water to those standing in line to vote became a national issue when Georgia officials passed new voting laws in 2021 that included a prohibition on giving away water or food within a certain distance of voters or polling places.

Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon said that “voting should not be an endurance test” in her bill memo. Michael Nagle

The issue became a subject of satire on Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” when he was arrested for handing a bottle of water to a friend waiting in a voting line in sweltering heat.

Board of Elections poll workers, political party representatives and campaign workers would be permitted to hand out low-dollars snacks, water, and soft drinks.

Still, a person without identification who gives out snacks could get arrested and face a Class A misdemeanor.