Relates to enacting voting rights expansion act

BILL NUMBER:S5446

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to voting rights expansion, voter registration on election day, expansion of the use of and requirements for absentee voting, creation of a real-time state-wide voter registration database, special ballots for election employees, voter affidavits and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto

Purpose or general idea of bill

To all qualified New Yorkers the true right to vote up until the day of election.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Any person whose name is not on the checklist but who is otherwise a qualified voter shall be entitled to vote by requesting to be registered to vote at the polling place on election date

Section 2: A qualified voter may vote as an absentee voter under this chapter if, on the occurrence of an election, if s/he elects to do such; Absentee ballots shall be mailed to every registered and Qualified voter residing in such county or city; For primary elections, the board shall deliver only the ballot of the party in which the records of the board of elections show the absentee voter to be enrolled; Provisions for if a person is unable to sign because of illness; the board shall keep a record of all absentee ballots that are mailed and if requested provide a copy as such

Section 3: Any voter, upon application, may request that their absentee ballot be mailed to them at an address other than their permanent address, if s/he expects to be absent from the county or city of residence and unable to obtain their absentee ballot; application forms shall be furnished by the board of elections until the day before election; applications shall also be supplied by the board of inspectors; information that must be in application for an absentee ballot; if the board shall find that the applicant is a qualified voter it shall mail to it to him or her

Section 4: Absentee voting; hospitalized veterans; special provisions.

Section 5: Delivery of Absentee ballots

Section 6: Voting by residents of nursing homes, residential health care facilities, facilities operated or licensed, or under the jurisdiction of, the department of mental hygiene or hospitals or facilities operated by the Veteran's Administration of the United States; appointment of bi-partisan boards of inspectors; duties of superintendent, administrator or director

Section 7: Method of Absentee voting

Section 8: Provision for the board of elections to cast absentee ballots

Section 9: Computerized statewide voter registration list; centralized statewide registration system; time period to become centralized;

maintenance and additional capabilities of the centralized statewide registration system; cost of acquiring computer hardware and training.

Section 10: Special ballots for board of election employees

Section 11: Affidavit of qualified voter

Section 12: This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Every person who is qualified to vote should be able to do so up until the day of election. Nine states plus the District of Columbia presently offer same-day registration (SDR), allowing any qualified resident of the state to to the polls or an election official's office on Election Day, register that day, and then vote. Another two states--California and Connecticut--have enacted same-day registration but have not yet implemented it.

Prior legislative history

New legislation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.