What's happening
This bill requires that the exact ballot language for amendments, propositions, or questions be included in the authorizing legislation.
Why it matters
Mandates transparency and accuracy by requiring that the specific language voters will see on the ballot for amendments, propositions, or questions is included in the bill that authorizes them. This reduces the risk of last-minute changes or unclear wording that could mislead or confuse voters.
Increases legislative accountability,. as lawmakers must now publicly agree on the exact phrasing of ballot measures at the time the authorizing legislation is passed, making it harder to manipulate language for political advantage later in the process.
Streamlines the process for election officials and the public,. as everyone knows in advance what the ballot text will be, reducing ambiguity and the potential for legal disputes or administrative errors regarding ballot content.
Repeals a section of current law (subdivision 3 of section 4-108),. which may have previously allowed for more flexibility or administrative discretion in writing ballot language, signaling a shift toward more rigid, legislatively-driven standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Clear Ballot Language Required
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 127
2 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
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
568
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE, RA, THIELE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CRESPO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to language used in a proposed amendment, proposition or question to be submitted to the people for their approval; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 4-108 of the election law, as amended by chapter 136 of the laws of 1978, is amended to read as follows:
2. The form in which the proposed amendment, proposition or question is to be submitted shall consist of only an abbreviated title indicating generally and briefly, and in a clear and coherent manner using words with common and every-day meanings, the subject matter of the amendment, proposition or question. Such form of submission shall be set forth in the legislation authorizing the submission of such amendment, proposition or question to the people for their approval. If more than one such amendment, proposition or question is to be voted upon at such election, each such amendment, proposition or question respectively shall be separately and consecutively numbered.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 4-108 of the election law is REPEALED.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04740-01-7
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.