Enacts the "non-partisan election act" to provide for the nomination for election to a public office to persons who acquire the necessary number of signatures on nominating petitions; repealer

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Subdivisions 2, 3 and 7 of section 6-104 of the election law, subdivision 7 as amended by chapter B of the laws of 1978, are amended to signify "general" election from primary election.

Section 2. Subdivision 1 of section 6-108 of the election law, as amended by chapter 160 of the laws of 1996, is amended to change the wording of "any other town" to "every" town.

Section 3. Section 6-110 of the election law, as amended by chapter 9 of the laws of 1978, is amended to read all other party nominations of candidates for offices to be filled at a general election shall be made by the filing of nominating petitions pursuant to this article.

Section 4. Section 6-116 of the election law, as amended by chapter 373 of the laws of 1978, is amended to remove the primary election reference.

Section 5. Section 6-118 of the election law, as amended by chapter 9 of the laws of 1978, is amended to include nomination by petition.

Section 6. Subdivision 1 of section 6-120 of the election law is amended to remove primary election from the section.

Section 7. Sections 6-130, 6-132, 6-134 and 6-135 of the election law are repealed.

Section 8, 9 and 10 all remove the term "independent" nominations from the existing language.

Section 11. Section 6-152 of the election law is repealed.

Section 12. Sections 6-160, 6-162, 6-164 and 6-166 of the election law are repealed.

Section 13 removes the option for the names of parties or independent bodies which contain more than fifteen letters may, whenever limitations of space so require, be printed on the ballot in an abbreviated form.

Section 14. Subdivisions 4, 5 and 7 of section 7-104 of the election law are repealed.

Section 15 removes the option for the names of parties or independent bodies which contain more than fifteen letters may, whenever limitations of space so require, be printed on the ballot in an abbreviated form. Section 16. Section 7-114 of the election law is repealed.

Section 17 amends section 7-116 of the election law, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 234 of the laws of 1976. subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 9 of the laws of 1978, subdivision 3-a as added by chapter 143 of the laws of 1996, subdivision 5 as amended by chapter 279 of the laws of 1992, the second undesignated paragraph of subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 121 of the laws of 1997 to read the State Board of Elections shall perform the duties required by this subdivision for each public office.

Section 18 is the effective date.

Justification

Party affiliations have divided New York State and handcuffed candidates. Instead of constituents voting for the candidate whose beliefs represent them the best, voters often vote strictly along party lines without considering candidates individually. Candidates are forced to align with a certain political ideology and are tied to that party's platform, even if it is not for which they stand. Without party affiliations, candidates will be able to stand up for what they and their constituents truly believe in, and voters will vote upon where candidates stand on the key issues, not simply party affiliation that may not holistically represent the candidate. This bill will allow for candidates to be evaluated honestly as individuals and voters will be able to vote for the candidate who truly represents the best interest of the voter.

Legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding, the dare on which it shall have become a law.