What's happening
This bill allows polling places in primary or secondary schools only when school is not in session with minors present.
Why it matters
Addresses student safety concerns. by ensuring that minors are not present in school buildings while they are being used as polling places, potentially reducing risks associated with large numbers of non-staff adults entering schools.
Could disrupt school operations less. since elections and voter registration would only occur when school is not in session with minors present—this may lead to fewer instructional days being interrupted or school closures for voting purposes.
Requires alternate polling locations. to be designated if a school is unavailable due to students being present, which may complicate planning for boards of elections and could affect accessibility or convenience for some voters.
Signals a shift in balancing civic access and school security. , reflecting growing concerns about keeping students safe while maintaining accessible voting locations, and may prompt further changes in how public buildings are used for civic functions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit School Polling Places
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Schools as Polling Places Allowed
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Todd Kaminsky
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4565
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CURRAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to primary and secondary schools being used as polling places
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 4-104 of the election law, as amended by chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every board of elections shall, in consultation with each city, town and village, designate the polling places in each election district in which the meetings for the registration of voters, and for any election may be held. The board of trustees of each village in which general and special village elections conducted by the board of elections are held at a time other than the time of a general election shall submit such a list of polling places for such village elections to the board of elections. A polling place may be located in a building owned by a religious organization or used by it as a place of worship. If such a building is designated as a polling place, it shall not be required to be open for voter registration on any Saturday if this is contrary to the religious beliefs of the religious organization. In such a situation, the board of elections shall designate an alternate location to be used for voter registration. A polling place may be located in a building utilized for primary or secondary school instruction. If such a building is designated as a polling place, it shall not be required to be open for voter registration or as a polling place if the school is in session and minors are scheduled to be present on such day. In such a situation, the board of elections shall designate an alternate location to be used for voter registration and as a polling place. Such polling places must be designated by May first, of each year, and shall be effective for one year thereafter. Such a list
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08561-01-7
A. 4565 2
required to be submitted by a village board of trustees must be submitted at least four months before each general village election and shall be effective until four months before the subsequent general village election. No place in which a business licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption is conducted on any day of local registration or of voting shall be so designated. If, within the discretion of the board of elections a particular polling place so designated is subsequently found to be unsuitable or unsafe or should circumstances arise that make a designated polling place unsuitable or unsafe, then the board of elections is empowered to select an alternative meeting place. In the city of New York, the board of elections shall designate such polling places and alternate registration places if the polling place cannot be used for voter registration on Saturdays.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.