Enacts the "Modernized voter registration act of New York"

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to enacting the "Modernized Voter Registration Act of New York"

Purpose

or General Idea of Bill: The Modernized Voter Registration Act of New York provides for automated voter registration of eligible consenting citizens at designated government agencies; permitting same day registration on the day of an election and to cast a vote in such election; allowing for voter registration through the internet; and the updating of registration information through the internet.

Summary of specific provisions

The Modernized Voter Registration Act of New York modernizes and streamlines the election law in several ways, as summarized below:

Amends the election law by adding a new section that will automate the voter registration process at government agencies required to offer voter registration services, and allows the board of elections to designate additional state agencies to serve as sources for voter registration; Amends the election law by adding a new section that will allow for same day voter registration. Each county shall allow for individual eligible voters on the day of an election and on any day when voting, including early voting, to register to vote in such election at the polling pace and to cast a vote in such election;

Amends the election law to require the state board of elections to ensure that services are made available to the public for voter registration on public websites of stale and local government agencies Services shall include online voter registration applications, online assistance, online submission, and online receipt; Amends the election law to require the state board of elections to make certain updating registration information available to voters via the Internet and to provide for voter registration or registration updates over the Internet;

Justification

Modernizing the voter registration system will increase the efficiency of voter registration for the State and its constituent governmental units, save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, increase the completeness and accuracy of the statewide voter registration list, prevent erroneous disenfranchisement of eligible citizens, promote greater participation of eligible voters in elections, and reduce the incidence of voter registration fraud and voting fraud.

New York's paper-based voter registration system is inefficient, error prone, and unjustifiably costly. A modern voter registration system that electronically transmits voter registration information will reduce costs involved in processing voter registrations and maintaining complete and accurate voter registration lists. Other states that have implemented similar programs have experienced significant cost savings.

In eliminating reliance on paper, a modern voter registration system will reduce the number of duplicate or outdated registration records and ensure that fewer eligible voters are left off the voter rolls or are registered at incorrect or former addresses. A modern voter registration system will also reduce the inaccuracy and disenfranchisement that occurs because of human error. By reducing the administrative burdens presently involved in ensuring that a voter's current and accurate information is included on the statewide voter registration list, a modern voter registration system promotes greater participation of eligible voters in elections.

Modernizing the voter registration system will increase voter registration and participation, while also increasing the accuracy of the voter registration list, thus reducing the opportunities for fraud.

Fiscal implications on the state

Projected cost savings from a decrease in costs required to administer voter registration, in an amount to be determined. None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.