Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled several new policy proposals Sunday, including plans to allow for early voting and install hundreds of new charging stations for electric vehicles throughout the state.
The announcements came a day before Cuomo is set to kick off a three-day, state-of-the-state tour in which he’ll deliver addresses in Manhattan, Buffalo and Long Island.
His plan to create 500 new charging facilities would rely on incentives for employers who agree to install them at workplaces throughout the state.
He also plans to install 69 more stations along the New York State Thruway as part of its greenhouse gas reduction push. There are only four charging stations along the 570-mile now.
“Increasing the availability of charging stations on the thruway will help ensure their availability in virtually every corner of New York,” Cuomo said.
To increase voter turnout, Cuomo is proposing a “Democracy Project” that aims to make voter registration easier, as well as early voting up to 12 days before Election Day.
The early voting plan would require every county to provide access to at least one polling site for every 50,000 residents prior to Election Day and would give voters at least eight hours on weekdays and five hours on weekends to vote.
Voter registration would be made automatic by being tied to photo ID applications to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Cuomo’s new proposals also include plans to overhaul JFK Airport, provide tuition-free state college educations based on financial need and reduce child care costs through tax credits to the middle class.