Primary Day is now on Sept. 13

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on March 1 that changes Primary Day in New York state from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13. Lawmakers and other interested parties noted a conflict with not only 9/11, and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, but the second day of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah.

“It is unfair to force New Yorkers to choose between fulfilling their civic duties and observing two sacred days, Rosh Hashanah and September 11,” said State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat who pushed for the change. “I am pleased the governor enacted my proposal into law to move the primary to a more convenient date. I will continue to do all that is in my power to maximize participation in our vibrant democracy.”

The bill was introduced by Kaminsky and sponsored by State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) and by Assemblyman Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn).

A similar proposal became law in 2007, when State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) sponsored legislation to move the primary that year from Sept. 11 to Sept. 18, to also not conflict with 9/11 remembrances.