Provides that qualified persons who are not registered to vote may register on a day of election at their polling places

2 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Brad Hoylman-Sigal

BILL NUMBER:S609A

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to allowing for polling place voter registration for any qualified person who is not registered to vote

Summary of specific provisions

Section 5-210 of election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a which enables qualified persons to register to vote.

Justification

This legislation seeks to set parameters and guidelines fix Election Day voter registration. Allowing for persons eligible to vote to register to vote up until and on Election Day has increased voter turnout in the six states (Idaho, Maine, Minnesota. New Hampshire. Wisconsin Wyoming). On average, turnout was 14% higher in EDR states than country in the 2004 election cycle. New York consistently ranks near the bottom in voter turnout in the country.It is imperative that state take every action necessary to allow eligible voters the involved in elections until the very last moment when often it is too late to register to vote. This must be changed, voters should have the ability to register and vote Election Day.

Prior legislative history

2013: Senate Bill #609 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Elections Committee 2012: Senate Bill #1972-A (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Elections Committee 2013: Assembly Bill #172 (Kavangh) - Died in Assembly Elections Committee 2012: Assembly Bill #1684-A (Kavangh) - Died in Assembly Elections Committee 2010: Assembly Bill #5230 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Elections Committee 2008: Assembly Bill #4488 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Elections Committee 2006: Assembly Bill #9229 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Elections Committee

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This shall take effect January 1, 2015.