NEW YORK (AP) - New York state will soon join most other states in allowing voters to cast a ballot before Election Day.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law on Thursday that authorizes in-person early voting up to 10 days before an election. He was joined at a Manhattan bill signing ceremony by actor and producer Ben Stiller.

Stiller was a vocal supporter of the changes, which had been blocked for years by Republicans in the state Senate. The bills all passed earlier this month, following a Democratic takeover of the Senate in last year's elections.

Cuomo also signed into law bills that will consolidate multiple primary elections and make other updates to decades-old voting rules.

He says the changes should boost New York's voter turnout, which typically lags other states.

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