NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER ARAVELLA SIMOTAS For Immediate Release September 12, 2013 Contact:

Jim McFadden, 718-545-3889

Simotas Calls on DOT to Suspend Alternate Side Parking on All Election Days Suspension of ASP rules would benefit voters and poll workers in Primary and Runoff elections
Astoria, N.Y. Assemblymember Aravella Simotas called upon the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to change its rules relating to Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations on Primary and Runoff election days. Primary and Runoff elections are just as important to the electoral process as the General Election, Simotas said. It only makes sense to make it as easy and hassle-free as possible for voters and poll workers to access their voting sites. In a letter to DOT Commissioner Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Simotas outlined the complications arising from ASP rules that were in effect during the September 10 primary election. For poll workers working from before dawn until late at night, it is often impossible for them to leave the poll site to move a vehicle without causing a disruption or delay for voters. Voters themselves are likewise inconvenienced when driving to their local voting site and experiencing difficulty finding parking especially those voters who are elderly or disabled. Simotas also noted the possible indirect benefits that could arise from a change in the DOTs regulations. Suspending ASP on these days would also serve as a reminder to voters that those days are, in fact, election days and likely would increase voter participation in these important elections. In the wake of several voting issues that came to light on Tuesday, this is one simple and easily-implemented solution that can benefit everyone, Simotas said. ###