What's happening
This bill allows New York City and counties to decide which classes of people can vote in their local elections.
Why it matters
Empowers local governments. By allowing New York City and any county to decide who qualifies as a local voter, the bill shifts significant power from the state to local authorities, potentially leading to more tailored and responsive voting policies.
Potential to expand the electorate. Localities could choose to let non-citizens, younger people, or other currently excluded groups participate in local elections—changing the makeup and priorities of the local electorate.
No local referendum required. Decisions about expanding or limiting voter eligibility can be made by city councils or county legislatures without direct approval from voters, streamlining the process but possibly reducing direct public input.
Could create variation across the state. Different cities and counties may adopt different standards for who can vote in local elections, leading to a patchwork of voter eligibility rules and possibly raising questions about fairness or consistency.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Cities Set Voting Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-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
621
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY, COOK, WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing cities with populations of more than one million persons and counties to enact a resolution, ordinance or regulation or adopt a local law, without referendum authorizing counties and certain cities to determine the classes of persons eligible to vote in local elections
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York Right to Vote Act".
§ 2. The election law is amended by adding a new section 5-108 to read as follows:
§ 5-108. Determination of qualified voters; local option. 1. A city having a population of more than one million persons or any county may enact a resolution, ordinance or regulation or may adopt, through its governing body, a local law, without referendum, authorizing the city or county, as applicable to determine the classes of persons who may vote in local elections in accordance with existing federal and state law and the provisions of this section.
2. The provisions of this section shall only apply to elections conducted (a) within the city of New York; and (b) within any other political subdivision of this state where a local law, ordinance or resolution, permitting elections to be conducted therein pursuant to the provisions of this section has been duly enacted or adopted.
3. A person who, pursuant to the provisions of this section, is qualified may register with the board of elections of his or her county of residence and vote in a local election.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06322-01-7
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.