What's happening
This bill amends the state constitution to prohibit voting discrimination and bans certain voter restrictions, including ID and literacy requirements.
Why it matters
Expands explicit protections. By banning voter discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender preference, or disability, the amendment would reinforce and modernize constitutional protections, potentially covering areas not fully addressed by existing state or federal laws.
Removes historic barriers. The proposal specifically prohibits literacy tests, educational or "good moral character" requirements, and poll taxes—tactics historically used to suppress marginalized voters—ensuring these cannot be reintroduced in New York.
Restricts new forms of voter limitation. The amendment would make it unconstitutional for New York to require government-issued photo ID or documentary proof of citizenship to vote, which are measures increasingly debated or enacted in other states and often criticized for disproportionately affecting minorities, the elderly, and low-income voters.
Supports voter registration efforts. By protecting third-party organizations’ ability to register voters, the bill aims to facilitate broader voter participation and counteract efforts to limit registration drives, which are sometimes targeted by restrictive state laws elsewhere.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Voting Rights for All
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
10 Co-sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to election law
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- 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.
Protect Voting Rights
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7437
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 25, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BLAKE, KAVANAGH, ROZIC, MOSLEY, ORTIZ, STECK, PEOPLES-STOKES, COOK, JAFFEE, SEPULVEDA, HOOPER, WRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HEVESI, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 2 of the constitution, in relation to voting rights
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 2 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 10 to read as follows:
§ 10. Voting rights. (A) No voting qualification or prerequisite to voting or standard, practice, or procedure shall be imposed or applied by the state or any political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen to vote on account of race or color, religion, gender preference or disability.
(B) To assure that the right of citizens to vote is not denied or abridged on account of race or color, religion, gender preference or disability, no citizen shall be denied the right to vote in any election because of his or her failure to comply with any prerequisite for voting or registration for voting requiring him or her to:
(1) demonstrate the ability to read, write, understand, or interpret any matter;
(2) demonstrate any educational achievement or his or her knowledge of any particular subject;
(3) possess good moral character;
(4) pay or demonstrate payment of any poll tax or other tax;
(5) provide government issued photo identification at a polling site;
(6) provide documentary proof of United States citizenship to register to vote; or
(7) prove his or her qualifications by the voucher of registered voters or members of any other class.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89077-01-7
A. 7437 2
(C) Neither the state, nor any political subdivision, shall restrict third-party organizations or individuals from registering voters in good faith.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of such constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
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.