Makes reforms to the New York city board of elections

BILL NUMBER:S3703

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to creating the "Help New York Vote act" for reforming the New York city board of elections

Purpose of the bill

This legislation will help ensure that New Yorker's have the appropriate information about elections in a timely manner. This legislation will also help promote and maintain fairness and impartiality in NYC based elections.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 3-200; Subdivision 3 adjusts the NYC BOE from ten members to five, with two (diff parties) being appointed by speaker of the city council, two by NYC mayor and one (chair) will be selected jointly by speaker and mayor (must alternate party affiliation).

Subdivision 4 restricts appointees from being an officer in a political party, employee of NYC agency, or lobbyist.

Subdivision 9 ensures appointed election commissioner(s) shall not make financial contributions to any candidate for any public office in NYC.

Section 3-201; Subdivision 1 delineates that subsequent election commissioners in NYC will serve for year terms (formally two) but will be term limited to four terms.

Section 3-204; Subdivision 1 which sets up requirements for the Political Party chairman or secretary to file a certificate of party recommendation with the clerk of the appropriate local legislative body (city council) no longer applies in NYC.

Section 3-212; Subdivision 5 amends to include that public computer database must be accessible to voters and contain names, addresses and voting locations of ALL eligible voters in an election district.

Section 4-120; Subdivision 3 is amended to require that the BOE of NYC must publish all important information about. an upcoming election thirty days (instead of eight) prior to election. BOE will also email voters who provide email addresses the necessary information.

Justification

Recent election controversies in New York City have illuminated a need to ensure that accurate and timely information is available and properly distributed to voters before an election, It is also important that political power structures are held accountable with a system of checks-and-balances to ensure potential voters are encouraged to exercise their right to vote and not the other way around.

Prior legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on January first, two thousand sixteen.