Metro

Single typo in state bill would have automatically registered non-citizens to vote

A typo in the state’s automatic voter registration bill would have forced non-citizens to register despite their ineligibility — but lawmakers vowed it would be fixed.

The bill directs designated state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, State Board of Elections and Department of Social Services to automatically enroll residents who fill out any paperwork with their agencies.

An “opt-out” box would let people choose not to enroll. But sloppily written instructions specifically directed ineligible non-citizens to not check the box.

The instructions were actually supposed to tell them to check the box so they wouldn’t inadvertently be registered.

“There is a drafting error which [the Democratic] majority has recognized will be fixed in a chapter amendment,” Assembly Democrats wrote in a memo obtained by The Post.





A “chapter amendment” means lawmakers will pass the bill as-is and then edit the language after the fact.

The Assembly is supposed to vote on the bill Thursday. The Senate already passed the measure — typo included — Wednesday by a 43-to-19-vote margin.

But Assembly Republicans seethed because the intended vote comes three days after Gov. Cuomo signed the controversial “Green Light” bill granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

“It’s an egregious assault on the integrity of elections in our state, regardless of party, regardless of where you are in this state,” said Colin Schmitt (R-Orange/Rockland) told The Post.

County clerks and Republicans are concerned about potential voter fraud, because the state Board of Elections has said that the sole requirement for registering to vote is a driver’s license.





“It’s a blatant attempt to allow voter fraud to fester,” said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) who brought up this precise fear during Monday’s vote.

The bill’s sponsors declined comment.





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