Provides that at a primary election an unaffiliated registered voter shall be granted the opportunity to vote in a single primary election of such voter's choice

BILL NUMBER:S5121

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to directing the state board of elections to implement any necessary procedures allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in a primary

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of the bill is to provide all voters the opportunity to vote in a single primary election of the voter's choice

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends section 8-302 of the election law by adding a new subdivision 4-a, which provides that at a primary election, a voter whose registration poll record reflects that the voter is an unaffiliated registered voter, shall be granted the opportunity to vote in a single primary election of the voter's choice.

Section 2 provides that the state board of elections shall implement any rules and regulations necessary to permit an unaffiliated registered voter the opportunity to vote in a single, primary election.

Section 3 provides that this act shall take effect immediately

Justification

By restricting unaffiliated voters to general elections, voters who choose not to identify with any party lose the chance to participate in any primary election. The consequences of this are such that unaffiliated voters do not have an opportunity to have their voices heard when multiple candidates are vying for a party nomination. In districts where one party affiliation is much more significant than any other, the primary election can, in effect, determine the general election's outcome This bill aims to provide the opportunity for unaffiliated voters to participate appreciably in the electoral process, by allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in a single primary election of the voter's choice.

Prior legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.