A New York state lawmaker is introducing legislation to allow for absentee voting in instances where personal religious observation conflicts with elections.

State Sen. Iwen Chu, a Democrat from Brooklyn, said in a release Tuesday that a Jewish constituent contacted her office saying a polling location for a neighbor of their's was located at a site where her own personal faith prohibited her to step foot into — a non-Jewish house of worship.

"New Yorkers with the ability to partake in democracy should be able to exercise their right to vote without any obstacles. After a constituent complained, my office found there were not any mechanisms to change polling place due to sensitivities with religious observances. With this legislation, I’m righting that wrong and giving the ability to New Yorkers of all faiths to practice their right to vote,” Chu said in a statement Tuesday. “The state senate district I represent is one of the lowest voter enrollment and turnout in New York and I know first-hand how obstacles can impede turnout. I’m committed to removing barriers for communities and empower voters to increase civic participation.”

The New York Legislature passed a no-excuse absentee voting law in 2023 where absentee ballots must be submitted by hand or mailed by the last day of early voting. It was upheld by a state Supreme Court judge last month. Chu said her bill would provide additional days to return an absentee ballot.

“The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights of all US citizens. It would be unconscionable to have that right curtailed due to a person’s religious observance or practice," said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of New York Government Relations at Agudath Israel of America, in a statement.