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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4670
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to the applicability of such chapter to boards of education elections; to amend the education law, in relation to school board elections; and in relation to library district elections
Purpose
Provides that the elections of school boards and library districts shall coincide with the general election in November.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 1-102 of the election law to include elections for school board office within the applicability of the election law.
Section 2 amends subdivision 35 of section 1-104 of the election law to include the election of school board members and library district elections within the definition of "election" under the election law.
Section 3 adds a new subdivision 9-B to section 3-102 of the election law to require that the state board of elections, in consultation with the commissioner of education, promulgate rules and regulations for the supervision by local boards Of election of the election of school board members.
Section 4 amends subdivision 4 of section 1804 of the education law to provide that elections for school board shall be held on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November.
Section 5 amends subdivision 1 of section 2022 of the education law to remove references to the election of school board members from the provisions governing the annual meeting in May and to provide that the school board election shall be on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November.
Section 6 amends subdivision 2 of section 2601-a of the education law to remove references to the election of school board members from the provisions governing the annual meeting in May and to provide that the school board election shall be on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November.
Section 7 provides that, notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this act or of any other general, special or local law, all library district elections shall be held on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November.
Section 8 provides the effective date.
Existing law
Current law provides that school board elections shall be held on the third Tuesday of May, with library district elections typically held at the same time.
Justification
New York's current system of holding school board elections in May leads to voter confusion and contributes to low voter turnout these elections. Studies have consistently shown that voter turnout is the highest on the November election day when elections for state and/or federal offices are held. Holding school board elections at the same time will make the process less confusing for voters and will lead to greater citizen participation in local school board elections.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Anticipated savings to school districts.
Effective date
This act shall take effect at the first general election next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.