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Who cares
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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 3373b
- Amend and recommit to elections
- Print number 3373a
- Amend and recommit to elections
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides that attorneys licensed to practice in the state or law students who attend an American Bar Association accredited law school, may serve as a poll watcher in any city or county in the state
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3373B
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to watchers
PURPOSE:The bill authorizes attorneys to be poll watchers anywhere in New York if they are state residents and licensed to practice law in the state.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends Election Law section 8-500(4) to allow attorneys who are state residents and licensed to practice law in the state to require be watchers anywhere in the State.
Section 2: Provides for the Act to take effect immediately.
Existing law
Under current law, a poll watcher must be registered to vote in the county in which he is to serve.
Justification
Attorneys licensed to practice law in New York are not restricted in their practices to any locality or court. They may practice before any court in the state, as well as before the boards of elections everywhere in the state. They are also trained as observers and to accurately report their observations. There should be no restriction on their ability to be in a polling place on Election Day, where their skills can be invaluable in both detecting improper conduct, such as voter intimidation and suppression, and electioneering, and in obtaining a quick resolution of such unlawful conduct by reporting it to the appropriate authorities, including Election Day judges. For example, in 2006 lawyers serving as poll watchers enabled Senator Andrea Steward-Cousins to win election by acting to stop disruptions and voter suppression and intimidation actions in the polls in Yonkers.
Legislative history
2011-2012: S.2348 Referred to Elections Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.