In response to Joe Mahoney’s article, “Groups ask N.Y. to allow early voting,” I strongly agree with the League of Women Voters of New York’s position. I am a member of a downstate coalition that is organizing in favor of such reforms, and I believe the opposition is short-sighted, to say the least.

We need to expand voting rights through early voting and automatic voting reforms whether or not we know the outcome for certain. We can alleviate pressures on local election boards by modernizing voter rolls, using secure computer technology. We need to have a voter turnout that is better than 41st in the nation. We are far too great a state to garner that distinction.

I’ve spent half my life in New York City, but I was born and raised in central New York and the Southern Tier. When I was a child, we lived in a very rural part of Onondaga County. My mother, who didn’t own a car, somehow managed to make it into town to vote in every local, primary and general election. It was not easy or convenient for her, but it should have been.

Current reform legislation can make it easier for rural, urban, working and non-working voters across the state. Voting reforms should be expanded for, and tailored to, all districts, counties, villages and communities in the state of New York. We need to come together and make that happen.

Jessica Byrne

Brooklyn

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