Provides for the inclusion, at a voter's option, of an e-mail address in the voter registration application and record for notices to be sent thus and by U.S.P.S.

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to including e-mail addresses in voter registration data

Purpose

The purpose of this legislation is to give voters the option of providing their e-mail addresses when registering to vote and to require that the New York State Board of Elections send all official communications to a person via regular mail and e-mail if the person provides their e-mail address when registering to vote.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Establishes a space for the furnishing of an e-mail address, the furnishing of which shall be optional, together with a notice stating that if an e-mail address is furnished, all notices and communications otherwise required to be sent by the State Board of Elections to the voter by postal mail shall be sent by e-mail in addition to postal mail. County boards of elections and the board of elections of the City of New York shall have the option of sending notices and communications otherwise required to be sent to the voter by postal mail by e-mail in addition to postal mail if the voter furnishes an e-mail address. It also states that a voter, whose registration is accepted pursuant to certain provisions, as named in the legislation, shall be permitted to furnish an e-mail address to the board of elections, which with its furnishing shall carry the same notice and have the same effect as provided in previous subdivisions of this legislation.

Section 2. There would be a space added for the furnishing of an e-mail address, which is optional, together with a notice stating that if an e-mail address is furnished, all notices and communications otherwise required to be sent by State Board of Elections to the voter by postal mail shall be sent by email in addition to postal mail. County boards of elections and the board of elections of the City of New York shall have the option of sending notices and communications otherwise required to be sent to the voter by postal mail by e-mail in addition to postal mail if the voter furnishes an e-mail address.

Section 3. Establishes the effective date.

Justification

Many people now rely on their e-mail as much as their postal mail to stay connected to the world. By providing an optional entry for e-mail addresses on voter registration forms, boards of elections will be able to reach voters via e-mail with all pertinent election information. Currently, those registering to vote in New York State do not have the ability to provide their e-mail addresses to the Board of Elections.

Prior legislative history

A.5534 of 2015/2016 A.5858 and S.1939 of 2013/2014 A.5452 of 2007/2008 A.3590 and S.1567 of 2011/2012 A.10428 and S.7034 of 2005/2006 A.4313 and S.3252 of 2009/2010

Fiscal implications

There may be some initial costs associated with the NYS and County Boards developing or expanding their email delivery and notification system.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that the state board of elections is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.