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Prohibits candidates for public office to be voted upon in an election district from being a poll watcher in such district
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Sandy Galef
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to qualifications for poll watchers
Purpose
To prohibit candidates for election or their spouse, parent or child of such candidate from being poll watchers.
Summary of provisions
Section one - amends section 8-500 of the election law by adding a new subdivision 5 to prohibit a person who is a candidate for any public office to be voted on by the voters of the election district in which he or she is to serve, or the spouse, parent or child of such candidate. However, this shall not prohibit a candidate, his or her spouse, parent, or child from being present at the close of the polls to receive the results of the election.
Section two - contains the effective date.
Existing law
Section 3-400 of the Election Law prohibits candidates and members of their family from being election inspectors. However, there is no such prohibition under section 8-500 for poll watchers.
Justification
The Election Law specifically prohibits a candidate for public office from electioneering within 100 feet of a polling site. In addition, candidates, their spouses, children or parents are also prohibited from serving as election inspectors. However, the law governing poll watchers does not expressly forbid candidates and their family members from being poll watchers.
In order to address this ambiguity and to prevent an appearance of voter intimidation or electioneering, the law should be changed to prohibit candidates and members of their family from serving as poll watchers.
Legislative history
2008: S.6921, Third Reading; A.6921, Galef, Election Law Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
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.