Removes the requirement of publishing a candidate's residence prior to an election

BILL NUMBER:S2207

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to publication of candidates to be voted upon at an election

Summary of provisions

Amends §4-122(1) of the Election Law by removing the requirement that the residence address of the candidate be published in the legal notice along with the name of the candidate prior to an election.

Justification

The law currently requires the county boards of elections to publish the name and residence address of every candidate for public office at least once in no less than two newspapers in the county prior to an election. Typically, such notice contains information sufficient to identify each office which will appear on the election ballot and the candidates seeking such offices. Inclusion of the residence address is superfluous as the actual ballot itself neither contains such information nor identifies a candidate by residence address. Other provisions of the Election Law detail procedures to be followed by boards of elections to avoid confusion between candidates with identical or similar names.

Legislative history

2005-06: S.3706 3rd Reading Calendar 2007-08: 3rd Reading Calendar 2009-10: S.3236 Passed Senate 2010; Assembly 3r3 Reading Calendar 2011-12: Not introduced

Fiscal implications

A significant savings would accrue to the counties as a result of a reduction in the size of the legal notice required to be published.

Effective date

Immediately.