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History
- Amended on third reading 3995a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.640
- Referred to elections
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.230
- Referred to elections
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 additional opportunity for new registrant by mail to indicate choice of party enrollment where original choice omitted
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3995A
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to failure of new registrants to enroll
The bill is designed to remind new registrants who did not enroll in a party that they will not be able to vote in primary elections and to afford them a second opportunity to enroll and participate in that part of the democratic process.
Section 1: Amends election law section 5-210(9) to add a requirement that the notice sent by the board of elections to a new registrant regarding approval or other disposition of his application shall also inform the registrant that the failure to enroll in a party will prevent him or her from being able to vote in primary elections. Such notice is required to be accompanied by a postage paid card addressed to the board of elections on which the registrant can mark a party enrollment or decline to be affiliated with one.
Section 2: Amends election law section 5-302(3) to provide that if a registrant failed to enroll in a party, but does so on the card provided with the notice from the board of elections within thirty after it was sent and at least twenty-five days before a primary election, then it will not be deemed a change of enrollment and will be effective when received by the board, thereby enabling the registrant to vote in the primary.
Section 3: Provides for the Act to take effect sixty days after it becomes a law.
Currently, voters who fail to enroll in a party when they register cannot participate in primary elections unless they change their enrollment, which must be done several months or even more than a year before a primary.
This bill gives new voters, who may not have been aware of the impact of their failure to enroll in a party, a second chance to fully participate in a fundamental part of our democratic process. It is particularly important because in many areas of the state the winner of the primary is assured of election.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
Unknown, or minimal.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect sixty days after it becomes a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.