Enacts the "early voting act"

2 Co-sponsors

• Kevin S. Parker
• John L. Sampson

BILL NUMBER:S1920

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to enacting the "early voting act"

Purpose or general idea of bill

To allow the public to vote at the county board of elections or at an alternative location seven business days before a general, primary or special election, in order to make it easier for citizens to vote and to ensure an orderly and efficient voting process on election day.

Summary of specific provisions

Article 8 of the election law is amended to add a new title 6 requiring local boards of elections to make available to voters the option of casting a paper ballot from seven days prior to a general, primary or special election up to and including the day prior to the election. The boards of elections are given twenty-four hours from the close of the polls to count the early ballots.

Justification

The stress put on state election systems by high voter turnout in recent elections highlights the need to streamline the voting process and avoid a major breakdown that could place an unfair burden on voters and undermine the public's faith in the electoral process. Early voting makes participation easier for citizens who cannot make it to the polls on Election Day because of work, family obligations or inclement weather, but still provides the security of requiring voters to personally appear at a designated location to cast their ballot. Early voting also reduces delays on Election flay and decreases pressure on local boards of election by spreading out voting over a period of days. Thirty-two states currently allow early voting. These states report few serious problems with early voting and those early voting results in shorter lines on Election Day. Building an electoral system that gives every citizen an opportunity to vote is the best way to ensure fair representation.

Prior legislative history

2009-2010: S.3250 - Passed Elections; Committed to Codes 20111-2012: S.1556 - Referred to Elections

Fiscal implications

None, insofar as under the existing absentee voting system boards of elections already produce the paper ballots to be used for early voting.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall become a law.