www.BXTimes.com BRONX WEEKLY August 2, 2020 4
BY JASON COHEN
In an effort to address voting
problems that arose in the June
23 primary election, Assemblyman
Jeffrey Dinowitz has passed
legislation that would expand the
ability to vote by mail in upcoming
elections.
The legislation has been
passed by the Assembly and State
Senate and now awaits the governor’s
signature.
The bill would temporarily alter
the defi nition of illness with
respect to absentee voting eligibility
to include “risk of contracting
or spreading a disease that
may cause illness to the voter or
to other members of the public.”
The expansion of this defi nition
would expire Jan. 1, 2022, which
coincides with the soonest a constitutional
amendment to allow
no-excuse absentee voting in
New York State could take effect.
“The single most important
element of our democracy is that
voters have confi dence in the results
of our elections,” Dinowitz
said. “Without expanded absentee
voting eligibility for upcoming
elections, New Yorkers will
be forced to choose between their
health and their vote and that is
unacceptable.”
He added, “The continued
rise in COVID-19 cases around
the United States does not inspire
confi dence that we will be
in a position to conduct robust
in-person elections for a long
time, and this legislation bridges
the gap between now and when
voters will have the opportunity
to authorize no-excuse absentee
voting for 2022. Thank you to
my colleagues in the legislature
and the advocates who supported
this legislation, and I urge the
State Senate to deliver this bill
to the governor for his signature
as soon as possible.”
The constitutional amendment
to authorize no-excuse absentee
voting was passed in 2019
Dinowitz passes a bill to extend absentee voting through 2021
Courtesy of AM Dinowitz
and must pass again in the next
legislature, in January 2021. If
approved, the amendment must
be ratifi ed by statewide popular
vote. This could happen as soon
as November 2021 and, if ratifi
ed, the constitution would be
amended on the fi rst day of January
next after such approval.
The effect of this legislation
would be that all eligible voters
can request an absentee ballot if
they are worried about spreading
COVID-19, similar to what
was in effect for the June 23 primary
election. This would affect
the Nov. 3 general election as
well as all elections in New York
in 2021.
The other absentee voting reform
bills passed by the Assembly
include legislation to address
counting absentee ballots without
a postmark if they are received
by the day after an election
and allow voters to correct
a signature error on an absentee
ballot as well as require notifi cation
by the Board of Elections to
a voter that their ballot has been
invalidated.
AARP New York State Director
Beth Finkel praised Dinowitz
for legislation that will greatly
impact seniors in New York.
“Older voters in our state
should not have to risk their lives
or their health to exercise their
right to vote,” Finkel said. “With
the pandemic still upon us, all
registered voters should be able
to cast their ballots safely from
home if they choose in the November
general election. AARP
New York thanks Senator Biaggi
and Assemblyman Dinowitz for
protecting New Yorkers’ safety
with their legislation and we call
on Governor Cuomo to sign it
into law.”
BronxNet now has 12 high defi nition channels across two platforms
Photo courtesy of BronxNet
BronxNet new
HD channels
BY JENNA BAGCAL
Bronx residents will now
be able to enjoy their favorite
BronxNet programs in more
vivid quality.
Recently, the nonprofi t announced
that all of its channels
will be broadcast in HD
across all cable systems following
the launch of Verizon Fios’
high defi nition channel lineup.
With the six existing BronxNet
HD channels on Optimum, the
organization now has a total of
12 high-def channels across two
platforms.
“The BronxNet board of directors
is committed to providing
Bronx audiences with
channels delivered in a broadcast
quality, and with a technical
standard, no less than any
other channel on any TV or
cable system. This all HD delivery
is a signifi cant achievement
in meeting those goals,”
said BronxNet Chairman Paul
T. Gentile.
According to the organization,
the new Fios HD lineup
will be available on the following
channels:
2133 – public affairs and arts
programs produced by Bronx-
Net
2134, 2135 and 2136 – talk
shows, dramas, documentaries
and cultural programs
2137 – youth-focused shows
2138 – town halls and community
programs
“Seeing the bigger picture
of the Bronx via BronxNet TV
in all HD offers a better representation
of our borough and
the creativity of the people of
the Bronx. This latest launch
refl ects our continued commitment
to bringing you upgrades
and enhanced services as we
provide you with new technology,
informative programs, online
media production workshops
and opportunities to
share your vision and experience
our borough on your channels,”
said BronxNet Executive
Director Michael Max Knobbe.
For more information visit
www.bronxnet.org.
Absentee Voting
New bill to extend absentee voting through 2021
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