What's happening
This bill allows Westchester County Board of Elections to accept candidate petitions until midnight on the last filing day.
Why it matters
Extends candidate access. By allowing petitions to be filed until midnight on the last day, this change gives candidates in Westchester County more time to gather signatures and complete paperwork, potentially making it easier for newcomers or those with limited resources to participate in elections.
Modernizes local election procedures. The amendment brings Westchester County’s deadline in line with the more flexible filing hours already used in New York City, signaling a move toward greater consistency and modernization in election administration across the state.
Potentially increases voter choice. Easier and later access to petition filing could result in more candidates successfully qualifying for the ballot, which may lead to more competitive elections and a broader selection of choices for voters.
Requires board operational changes. The Westchester County Board of Elections will need to keep its office open later on the final filing day, which could have staffing and budget implications but also demonstrates a commitment to accommodating candidates and improving access to the electoral process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Extend Petition Filing Hours
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
461
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, GALEF, ABINANTI, BUCHWALD, PRETLOW, MAYER, OTIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the filing of papers in the county of Westchester
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1-106 of the election law, as amended by chapter 700 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
1. All papers required to be filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall, unless otherwise provided, be filed between the hours of nine A.M. and five P.M.
On the last day of filing in the county of Westchester, petitions of designation or nomination shall be filed between the hours of nine A.M. and midnight and such board of elections office shall be open to receive such petitions during the hours herein specified. If the last day for filing shall fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the next business day shall become the last day for filing. All papers sent by mail in an envelope postmarked prior to midnight of the last day of filing shall be deemed timely filed and accepted for filing when received, except that all certificates and petitions of designation or nomination, certificates of acceptance or declination of such designations and nominations, certificates of substitution for such designations or nominations and objections and specifications of objections to such certificates and petitions required to be filed with the board of elections of the city of New York must be actually received by such city board of elections on or before the last day to file any such petition, certificate or objection and such office shall be open for the receipt of such petitions, certificates and objections until midnight on the last day to file any such petition, certificate or objection. Failure of the post office or any other person or entity to deliver any such petition, certificate or objection to such city board of elections on or before such last day shall be a fatal defect.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01070-01-7
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.