Provides for the provision of voter registration forms to students by colleges, universities and public school districts

1 Co-sponsor

• Malcolm A. Smith

BILL NUMBER:S2852A

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to voter registration and enrollment

Purpose

Improves access to voter registration materials and informa- tion for high school and college students.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends § 5-211 of the election law to add a new subdivision 18 requiring all colleges, universities and public school districts to make voter registration forms available to eligible students within 3 weeks of the start of the first semester of the school year, designate a location for distribution of and assistance with such forms, and to submit any forms collected to the local board of elections. Also requires information to be posted on school websites and distribution of coded voter registration forms by the board of elections.

Section 2 amends § 5-211 of the election law to add public school districts, colleges and universities to the list of agencies and offices subject to the provisions of Motor Voter, with duties and obligations set forth in subdivision 18.

Section 3 amends subdivision 8 of §5-211 of the election law to add public school districts, colleges and universities to the list of agen- cies and offices subject to the provisions of Motor Voter, with duties and obligations set forth in subdivision 18.

Section 4 amends notification under paragraph (g) of subdivision 5 of 5-210 of the election law to provide that an applicant who submits a applicant to register to vote must be at least 16 years of age at the time of submission.

Section 5 amends paragraph o of subdivision 4 of section § 5-500 and adds a new paragraph p to add a new question to voter registration application verifying that the applicant is at least 16 years of age at the time of submission.

Section 6 adds a new §5-507 of the election law to provide that a person who is at least sixteen years of age and otherwise qualified to register to vote may pre-register and become automatically registered upon reach- ing the age of eligibility, following verification of the person's qual- ifications and address.

Legislative history

2011 - 2012 - S. 542-C / A. 2107

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect July 1, 2015; provided, however, that the provisions of this act shall only apply to school districts on and after July 1, 2016.