What's happening
This bill allows New York voters to cast ballots at the polling place closest to their residence, even if outside their Assembly district.
Why it matters
Could increase voter turnout and convenience. by allowing people to vote at the polling place nearest to their home, potentially reducing travel time and barriers, especially in areas where district boundaries are confusing or polling places are far away.
Requires boards of elections to set up new procedures. for identifying voters who are voting outside their registered Assembly district and to provide alternative ways for those votes to be properly cast and counted, which could mean changes in ballot design or security measures.
May impact election administration and logistics. , as election officials will need to verify voter eligibility, ensure voters receive the correct ballot for their district, and prevent double voting or other forms of fraud—potentially increasing administrative complexity and costs.
Could affect representation and resource allocation. , since more flexible voting locations might change patterns of turnout, influence which voices are heard most strongly in elections, and shift how resources are distributed for polling operations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Vote at Nearest Poll
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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
561
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. M. G. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to polling places
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 8-315 to read as follows:
§ 8-315. Location of polling place. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the board of elections shall establish procedures to permit a voter to vote at the polling place which is closest to such voter's residence, regardless of whether such polling place is located within the Assembly district in which such person is registered to vote. Such procedures shall provide for the identification of voters who are outside of their Assembly district and alternative means of casting their ballot.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02766-01-7
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.