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History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S46
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the board of elections to provide a registered voter with a sample ballot prior to an election
Purpose
The purpose of this legislation is to give voters the opportunity to view the actual ballot prior to going to their designated polling site.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 4-117 of the election law by adding a new subdivision 1-A to require the board of elections mail a sample ballot not less than 10 days nor more than 20 days before election day to every registered voter with active status. This legislation allows for the Board of Elections to mail a single ballot to a household containing more than one registered voter.
Existing law
Current law does not require that an actual sample ballot be mailed to registered voters.
Justification
The importance of voting simply cannot be understated. As an essential piece of our representative government, voting is a fundamental right and is one of the most direct ways for individuals to influence government decision-making. An individual's vote is critical to each and every election, as many elections come down to each single vote being counted.
As a Legislative Body representing all New Yorkers, we need to provide every potential voter with the necessary information he or she might need to cast their vote on election day. Quite often, depending on the election year, ballots can be confusing to voters. By requiring a sample ballot to be mailed prior to an election, we would be providing critical information to help assist voters in researching and choosing a candidate, as well as helping to reduce confusion for voters once they step inside the booth.
Legislative history
2011-12: S.668 2008 - Referred to Elections 2009 - Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.