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Sponsors
15 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 811b
- Amend and recommit to election law
- Referred to election law
- Print number 811a
- Amend (t) and recommit to election law
- Referred to election law
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for the provision of voter registration forms to students by colleges, universities and public high schools
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Jeffrey D. Klein
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A811B
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to voter registration and enrollment
Purpose
Improves access to voter registration materials and informa- tion for high school and college students.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends § 5-211 of the election law to add a new subdivision 18 requiring all colleges, universities and public high schools to make voter registration forms available to eligible students within 3 weeks of their arrival on campus, designate a location for distribution of and assistance with such forms, and to submit any forms collected to the local board of elections.
Section 2 amends § 5-211 of the election law to add public school districts, colleges and universities to the list of agencies and offices subject to the provisions of Motor Voter, with duties and obligations set forth in subdivision 18.
Section 3 amends subdivision 8 of § 5-211 of the election law to add public school districts, colleges and universities to the list of agen- cies and offices subject to the provisions of Motor Voter, with duties and obligations set forth in subdivision 18.
Section 4 provides that an applicant who submits a applicant to register to vote must be at least 17 years of age at the time of submission. (Under current law, such applicant may be 17 only if he or she will be turning 18 within the same calendar year.) A registered voter's eligi- bility to cast a ballot will continue to commence on the voter's 18th birthday.
Section 5 provides an effective date of July 1, 2010 for college and universities, and July 1, 2011 for public school districts.
Justification
The Higher Education Act of 1998, as amended, requires all colleges to provide voter registration forms to students physically located on campus before state and federal elections. New York State election law also requires every public college and university (SUMY CUNY) to provide voter registration forms to every student at the start of each academic year and in January of Presidential election years. Despite the state and federal mandate, a February 2008 report by Rock the Vote (RockTheVote.com) found only 63% of young people age 18-22 are registered to vote compared to 87%- of people age 23-29. This data shows a 10% decrease in the number of young people age 18-22 registered voters since 2006.
This legislation would improve youth voter registration by expanding distribution requirements to all colleges, universities and public high schools not already covered by the law. Expanding the law will allow the
State to enroll more young voters and engage them as part of the Poli- tical process.
Prior legislative history
2008: A.11167/S.8169-A Referred to Election Law Committee.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.