Joshua Solomon reports for the Times Union that on Feb. 5 a state Supreme Court justice in Albany dismissed a Republican petition to block New York’s law allowing registered voters to cast their ballots by mail before the final day of voting in person. Rep. Elise Stefanik and other Republicans filed the petition in September against Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Board of Elections for making it easier to vote by mail. Stefanik said, “We look forward to appealing on behalf of hardworking New Yorkers who deserve legal and valid elections." Voting by mail became easier and more widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Democrats in Albany have tried to keep it easy and widespread since then. Hochul said on Jan. 5, “Despite the best efforts of its opponents, democracy has once again prevailed in New York" and that voting by mail is a “critical initiative that will improve citizen participation and expand access to the ballot box for all eligible voters.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.