Allows the board to set standards for the change of mailing address and requires a candidate to provide the board with depository information

1 Co-sponsor

• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to the ability of the board to administratively set standards for the change of mailing address and in relation to requiring a candidate to provide the state board with depository information

Purpose

The bill allows the Board to determine how changes to mailing addresses are made to promote administrative efficiency, and requires candidates who are required to file campaign financial activity disclosure reports to provide the name and address of the depository where they maintain the accounts from which they conduct their campaign financial activity.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends Election Law section 14-118, subdivision 1, to provide that any change to the mailing address on a political committee financial statement filed with the state board of elections may be made in any manner the state board deems acceptable.

Section 2: Amends Election Law section 14-118, subdivision 3, to provide that candidates who are required to file statements of campaign receipts and expenditures by or on behalf of a candidate must also file, in the office where those statements are required to be filed, a statement of the name and address of the depository where they maintain the account(s) from which they conduct their own campaign financial activity.

Section 3: Provides for the Act to take effect on the ninetieth day after it becomes law.

Existing law

The current law requires changes in registration documents be made in the same manner that the initial document was filed, namely with a subsequent original document.

Committees that file financial activity disclosure reports must maintain a bank account, and disclose to the Board the name and address of the bank, but this is not required of candidates who are required to file financial activity disclosure reports.

Justification

As changes to the mailing address are common, the Board believes that allowing changes to be made by other methods (e.g. by telephone, email or fax) would be reliable and make it easier for committee treasurers and the Board. This would also enable the Board to maintain more up to date contact information, and greatly reduce the amount of returned mail, thereby significantly reducing the administrative time and expense necessary to process and correct returned mail.

The amended language regarding candidates providing the name and address of the bank used for campaign financial activity would provide consistency in the treatment of campaign financial activity accounts.

This legislation was requested by the State Board of Elections in its 2010 Election Law Proposals.

Legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None to the State. Some cost savings are anticipated.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it becomes law.