Provides that certain town caucuses shall be convened no earlier than four weeks before the last day to file a certificate of a party nomination made at such caucus

BILL NUMBER:S2031

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to town caucuses

Purpose

Provides a first day for holding town caucuses and requires filing of information relative to the caucus with the board of elections.

Summary of provisions

The bill would require that a town caucus be convened no earlier than four weeks before the last day to file the certificate of nomination. The bill would also require that in addition to a certificate of nomination, the caucus filed a list of those in attendance at the caucus, the minutes of the caucus, and a statement of where the notice of the caucus was published or posted.

Justification

The election law presently provides for the last day to file a certificate of nomination made on a town caucus. There is no provision for the first day to hold a town caucus. This open-ended provision has caused some confusion among parties as to when they may convene the town caucus and when it should be held. By limiting the time frame within which to call a town caucus, party chairmen are better able to determine when to hold their caucuses and the voters will have a better opportunity to attend caucuses of their party. To insure that caucuses are properly conducted, this bill would require that the minutes of the caucus be filed along with the certificate of nomination. The members of the party who attended the town caucus would be filed to give notice that it was only party members who participated in the caucus and a statement of where the notice of the caucus was published or posted should be included should questions arise regarding the calling of the caucus. This bill is introduced at the suggestion of the State Board of Elections.

Fiscal impact

Minimal.

Effective date

Immediately.