One blue state is being criticized for not implementing necessary voting protections and for failing to fix its issues as the midterm elections approach, according to a watchdog group focused on election integrity.
Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to election security, claims that the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) has rejected a request to modify the state’s voter registration forms to align with federal voting laws.
RITE communicated several concerns in a letter to the NYSBOE in late 2025, highlighting potential violations that could jeopardize the integrity of elections in the state if left unaddressed.
After the board did not rectify most of these issues, RITE, along with Rep. Claudia Tenney, is demanding that the board provide detailed records and data to uncover additional flaws in the state’s voter registration system.
In a recent letter, they expressed alarm over the lack of action, emphasizing the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls as mandated by federal law. RITE and Tenney are prepared to take legal action in federal court if the board does not comply by the May 2026 deadline.
RITE points out that the New York voter registration form contains two significant errors that infringe upon the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). First, the state does not require individuals to provide their driver’s license information when applicable. Secondly, the state continues to register individuals without the necessary driver’s license number or Social Security details, which is a requirement under federal law.
RITE argues these issues lead to millions of voters in New York submitting incomplete registration information, complicating the state’s ability to maintain accurate voter lists. Additionally, RITE believes the board neglected to conduct an audit to assess the volume of incomplete applications.
A report from the conservative Public Interest Law Foundation in 2022 revealed that over 3.1 million registered voters in New York hadn’t provided their driver’s license or Social Security number on their applications.
RITE President Justin Riemer emphasized that the law is explicit: states cannot accept registration forms missing essential identifying information. New York City’s own regulations mandate officials to adhere to this, making the current deficiencies serious violations of federal safeguards that undermine the integrity of the voter registration system.
Riemer remarked on the group’s commitment to seeking answers and ensuring the state resolves the highlighted issues.
Tenney, who leads the Election Integrity Caucus, has been advocating for an investigation into the NYSBOE since 2022, stating that transparent and accurate voter rolls are critical for maintaining public trust in elections. The New York Republican Party echoed this sentiment, asserting that the citizens of New York deserve clarity and accountability.
Further scrutiny has also been directed at the New York City Board of Elections, which has recently faced criticism for its lack of safeguards. Video evidence showed an employee allowing an individual posing as a non-citizen to attempt to register to vote.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the New York State Board of Elections for a response.
