Provides for the inclusion, at a voter's option, of an e-mail address in the voter registration application and record for notices to be sent thus and by U.S.P.S.

2 Co-sponsors

• Kevin S. Parker
• John L. Sampson

BILL NUMBER:S1938

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to includ- ing e-mail addresses in voter registration data

Purpose or general idea of bill

To give voters the option of providing their e-mail addresses when registering to vote and to require that the New York State Board of Elections send all official communications to a person via regular mail and e-mail if the person provides their e-mail address when registering to vote.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 -- Establishes that there shall be a space on voter registra- tion cards for a person to provide their e-mail address. The person registering to vote is not required to provide an e-mail address, and the voter registration form will notify voters that if an e-mail address is provided, all official communications from the New York State Board of Elections will be sent to that person's regular mail address and e-mail address.

Additionally, section one permits voters who use the federal voter registration form to provide their e-mail address when registering to vote.

Section 2 -- Establishes that, for people providing their e-mail addresses when registering to vote, the person's e-mail address will appear on the registration poll records.

Section 3 -- Establishes the effective date of the act.

Justification

Many people now rely on their e-mail as much as their postal mail to stay connected to the world. By providing an optional entry for e-mail addresses on voter registration forms, boards of elections will be able to reach voters via e-mail with all pertinent election information. Currently, those registering to vote in New York State do not have the ability to provide their e-mail addresses to the Board of Elections.

Legislative history

2009-2010: S.3252 - Passed Senate 2011-2012: 5.1567 - Referred to Election Law

Fiscal implications

Minimal, since there is no cost to sending e-mail.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that the State Board of Elections is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.