ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order Monday, to help prepare the state Board of Elections (BOE), and voters, for November.

"This election is going to be one of the most critical in modern history. It will be controversial. You already hear the statements questioning the vote, and the accuracy of the vote, and mail-in ballots. We want to make sure that every vote is counted; every voice is heard and that it's fair and right and accurate,” said Cuomo.

These new orders are meant to help the ensure efficient counting with the expected influx of absentee ballots.

"I'm issuing today's executive order because we want boards of elections to count votes efficiently and we want them to get it right, but we want it done in a timely manner. We don't want to hear after-the-fact excuses,” said Cuomo.

The executive order requires the following:

• By Sept. 8, a mailing must be sent to voters outlining all election deadlines.
• Staffing plans need to be submitted to the BOE by Sept. 20 to ensure coverage is sufficient.
• All counties should use a uniform envelope for absentee ballots.
• In an effort to quickly count votes, all objections must be made by the county BOE in real time. BOEs will also be required to count votes, as well as reconcile affidavits and absentee ballots no more than 48 hours after elections.
• There must be an option for people to vote absentee in village, town and special district elections.

✅ All BOEs must take steps to be ready to start counting votes ASAP

✅ All BOEs must report staffing plans and any staffing needs to ensure a fair, complete and accurate vote

✅ Extend the 'temporary illness' option to elections not administered by the BOE

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— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 24, 2020