New York is considering a bill to let election workers offer snacks and drinks to voters waiting in long lines

Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon from Brooklyn has introduced a bill that would let election workers and party officials hand out “nominal” snacks and drinks to folks waiting to vote.
The idea is to make voting less of a hassle. Simon pointed out that some polling places still have long lines, and leaving to grab a drink could mean losing your spot. That’s tough for people who can’t take time off work.
She believes voting shouldn’t feel like a marathon. Allowing snacks could help keep voters comfortable until they can cast their ballots.
Interestingly, a similar bill passed the state Senate, sponsored by Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who’s also running for mayor. But it hasn’t made it through the Assembly yet.
This whole food and drink issue got national attention when Georgia passed laws in 2021 that banned giving food or water near polling places.
Simon emphasized that voting should be easy, not a test of endurance. This topic even made it to Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” where he got arrested for handing out water to a friend in a long line.
If this bill passes, poll workers and party reps could hand out low-cost snacks and drinks. But there’s a catch: if someone without ID gives out snacks, they could face a Class A misdemeanor.