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- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
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Designates state and city universities of New York as participating agencies for voter registration form distribution and assistance
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1803
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to designating the state and city universities of New York as participating agencies for voter registration form distribution and assistance, and permitting independent institutions of higher education to do the same upon request
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require the State and City Universities of New York (SUNY and CUNY) and any other College or University that chooses to participate, to provide voter registration forms and absentee ballots upon requests. And for these locations to assist in completion of these documents. These locations will also have the Proper documents when needed for a change of address.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: amends the opening paragraph of section 5-211 of the election law to include SUNY, CUNY and participating schools as additional locations providing voter registration forms.
Section 2: amends subdivision 4 of section 5-211 of the election law to include SUNY, CUNY and participating schools as additional locations providing absentee ballot forms.
Justification
Chapter 659 of the laws of 1994 is commonly referred to as the "Motor Voter" law. "Motor-Voter" is credited for registering 315,778 new votes for 1995. However, of the 16 participating agencies, none specifically served or targeted young voters. Individuals, aged 18 to 30, have been labeled "Generation H. Unfortunately the original Motor-Voter bill passed by the legislature fell short of delivering Motor-Voter access for many of this age group.
Many 18 to 30 year old students are enrolled in some part of the New York State higher education system. These students are not a special interest group, nor do they desire to become one. This bill would include SUNY and CUNY as "Motor-Voter" agencies. SUNY and CUNY are "taxpayer funded", no different than the current 16 "Motor-voter" agencies. The State has a responsibility to encourage participation in the electoral process.
Legislative history
2009-10: A.837- Referred to Election Law 2007-08: A.1168- Advanced to 3rd Reading, Ca1.703 2005-0E: A.1420- Advanced to 3rd Reading, Ca1.71 2003-04: A.2971- Reported to Rules 2001-02: A.1180- Advanced to 3rd Reading, Cal.329 1999-00: A.1993- Referred to Election Law
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This Act shall take effect on the 120th day after it has become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.