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Q&A

Discussion on voter identification and signature verification processes in New York

1:26:29

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Council Member Carr and Executive Director Michael Ryan discuss the absence of voter ID laws in New York State and the reliance on signature comparison for ballot security. Ryan explains the protocols for signature review at poll sites and for absentee ballots.

Signature comparison is used for both in-person voting and absentee ballots
Review process involves visual comparison by bipartisan teams
Challenges with permanent registration and evolving signatures over time are addressed

David M. Carr

1:26:29

So I just wanna start with the Board of Elections.

1:26:32

You know, there's no voter ID law in New York State.

Michael Ryan

1:26:36

That's correct.

David M. Carr

1:26:36

Ballot security relies on a signature comparison.

1:26:40

Either when the voter comes to a a poll site and signs in the poll pad, or when they've signed the envelope for the absentee ballot that they return to the board.

1:26:51

Can you talk a little bit about the protocols about how those signatures are are reviewed, either by the poll workers at a poll site or by board staff when they receive an absentee ballot?

1:26:57

So since we're not handwriting experts, and having been a litigating attorney,

Michael Ryan

1:27:08

on cases requiring hand handwriting analysis, that in itself is a complex, science.

1:27:14

It it really is is more, a question of does it look sufficiently similar?

1:27:20

And if I am I happen to be a Democrat and if we were working together, I would take a look at it.

1:27:26

If it passed muster with me, it would turn over to you as the Republican.

1:27:30

And and if it passed muster with you, then it moves forward.

1:27:34

So it's really is it is it substantially, similar?

1:27:39

What what is also a difficulty associated with that form of analysis is that we have permanent registration in New York unless there's some reason not to.

1:27:50

I can tell you that my signature from 1992, which my card is on is, is from, is different, now than it was then.

1:28:00

So what we try to do is when we capture have reasons to capture more recent signatures, we update, what we call the signature clip, in the voter registration system so that we're having the most, recent analysis.

1:28:13

But it is certainly, not a perfect system.

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Council Member Carr acknowledges successful elections in Staten Island and Brooklyn

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Introduction of Fastpass tag and QR code system for voter check-in