Swipe Your Attendance Card and Go Home – New Assembly Rule Allows Votes With No Need for Members to Be Present

By M.C. Millman 

Despite being the highest-paid State lawmakers in the U.S., Members of the New York State Assembly no longer have to show up on the Assembly floor and listen to debates before casting their vote after last week’s Assembly session.

Members can now have their vote count even when they don't show up in the chamber. This new development comes after Assembly resolution E87 which includes a provision in the last paragraph for votes that are along party lines.

The new provision says a member's vote will be recorded as affirmative even if they aren't actually on the floor doing the voting. All that is required is that they swipe in with their attendance card at the beginning of the day, and then, for all intents and purposes – they are good to go – home if they want or anywhere else for that matter.

Truly a new take on voting with your feet. 

Photo Credit: Flickr