What's happening
This bill amends absentee voting rules to require absentee ballot applications be received (not just mailed) by the board of elections no later than the day before the election.
Why it matters
Shortens the window for absentee voting. by requiring that applications must be received—not just postmarked—by the board of elections no later than the day before the election, potentially making it harder for last-minute applicants to get a ballot.
Places more responsibility on voters. to ensure their applications arrive on time, as simply mailing by the previous deadline may no longer guarantee eligibility; this could disproportionately impact voters who rely on mail or have limited access to in-person submission.
Clarifies acceptable forms of written request. for absentee ballots, explicitly including letters, telefaxes, or other written instruments containing the voter's signature, which may help standardize application processing and reduce confusion over valid submission methods.
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Who cares
Absentee voters
The bill would require applications to reach the board of elections by the day before the election, replacing the seven-day mailing deadline and separate in-person delivery deadline.
Local boards of elections
Boards would have to mail absentee ballots in response to qualifying signed written requests received as late as the day before the election.
Voters requesting ballots by fax
The bill would remove the explicit requirement to include a phone number and the sending fax number, while retaining the voter’s signature, registration address and ballot mailing address.
Headline styles
Tighten Absentee Ballot Deadlines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.351
- Advanced to third reading cal.342
- Reported
- 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.
Tighten Absentee Ballot Deadlines
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4920
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, ABINANTI -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. FARRELL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to absentee voting
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subdivision 2 of section 8-400 of the election law, paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 321 of the laws of 1988 and paragraph (d) as separately amended by chapters 97 and 104 of the laws of 2010, are amended to read as follows:
(c) All applications must be [mailed to] received by the board of elections [not] no later than the [seventh] day before the election for which a ballot is first requested [or delivered to such board not later than the day before such election].
(d) The board of elections shall mail an absentee ballot to every qualified voter otherwise eligible for such a ballot, who requests such an absentee ballot from such board of elections in writing [in a letter, telefax indicating the address, phone number and the telefax number from which the writing is sent or other written instrument, which is signed by the voter] (which shall include a letter, telefax or other written instrument) containing the signature of the voter and received by the board of elections not earlier than the thirtieth day nor later than the [seventh] day before the election for which the ballot is first requested and which states the address where the voter is registered and the address to which the ballot is to be mailed; provided, however, a military voter may request a military ballot or voter registration application or an absentee ballot application in a letter as provided in subdivision three of section 10-106 of this chapter; and provided further, a special federal voter may request a special federal ballot or voter registration application or an absentee ballot application in a letter as provided in paragraph d of subdivision one of section 11-202 of this chapter. The board of elections shall enclose with such ballot a form of application for absentee ballot if the applicant is registered with such board of elections.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09094-01-7
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.