Approved January 12, 2021

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTING REFORMING NEW YORK STATE’S ELECTORAL VOTE APPORTIONMENT

WHEREAS; the State of New York currently awards its Presidential electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis; and

WHEREAS; the combined populations of New York City, Long Island and downstate counties outnumber the remaining population north of Westchester and Rockland Counties; and

WHEREAS; 9 counties out of 62 in total have a large advantage in determining the awarding of New York’s 29 electoral votes; and

WHEREAS; New York is typically taken for granted and candidates for President typically do not campaign in New York and do not feel a need to address issues specific to New York State; and

WHEREAS; Assemblyman Andy Goodell from Jamestown is advocating to reform New York’s awarding of electors and change it to a system in which electors are awarded based on winning individual Congressional districts; and

WHEREAS; this change could give the upstate counties a greater say in Presidential elections and create an incentive for candidates to be more attentive to the issues facing upstate New York; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce supports the concept of apportioning New York State’s electoral votes on a Congressional district basis and urges the State Assembly and the State Senate to pass legislation necessary to effect this change.