What's happening
This bill amends election law to require voter affidavits to substantially comply with a state board-prescribed form.
Why it matters
Provides flexibility for voters. By requiring affidavits to "substantially comply" with a state board-prescribed form, the law acknowledges that minor technical errors or deviations from the form may not invalidate a voter's affidavit, potentially reducing the risk of disenfranchisement over paperwork mistakes.
Centralizes and standardizes affidavit forms. The amendment strengthens the authority of the state board of elections to set the official form, promoting uniformity across counties and reducing confusion for both voters and election officials.
Impacts how disputed voter eligibility is handled. Since affidavit ballots are often used when a voter's eligibility is in question, this clarification could make it easier for eligible voters to have their ballots counted, especially in cases where their affidavit was previously rejected for not exactly matching the prescribed form.
Reflects a shift towards voter access. By softening rigid compliance requirements, the bill aligns with broader efforts to make voting more accessible and reduce technical barriers that disproportionately impact certain groups, such as first-time voters or those unfamiliar with the process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Simplify Voter Affidavit Forms
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- 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.
Ease Voter Affidavit Rules
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7484
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 26, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, COOK, GOTTFRIED, HOOPER, MAYER, RIVERA, SEPULVEDA, SIMANOWITZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to voter affidavits
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (e) of subdivision 3 of section 8-302 of the election law, as amended by chapter 164 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
(ii) He or she may swear to and subscribe an affidavit stating that he or she has duly registered to vote, the address in such election district from which he or she registered, that he or she remains a duly qualified voter in such election district, that his or her registration poll record appears to be lost or misplaced or that his or her name and/or his or her signature was omitted from the computer generated registration list or that he or she has moved within the county or city since he or she last registered, [the address from which he or she was previously registered and] the address at which he or she currently resides, and at a primary election, the party in which he or she is enrolled. The inspectors of election shall offer such an affidavit to each such voter whose residence address is in such election district. Each such affidavit shall substantially comply with and be in a form prescribed by the state board of elections, shall be printed on an envelope of the size and quality used for an absentee ballot envelope, and shall contain an acknowledgment that the affiant understands that any false statement made therein is perjury punishable according to law. Such form prescribed by the state board of elections shall request information required to register such voter should the county board determine that such voter is not registered and shall constitute an application to register to vote. The voter's name and the entries required shall then be entered without delay and without further inquiry
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00176-01-7
A. 7484 2
in the fourth section of the challenge report or in the place provided at the end of the computer generated registration list, with the notation that the voter has executed the affidavit hereinabove prescribed, or, if such person's name appears on the computer generated registration list, the board of elections may provide a place to make such entry next to his or her name on such list. The voter shall then, without further inquiry, be permitted to vote an affidavit ballot provided for by this chapter. Such ballot shall thereupon be placed in the envelope containing his or her affidavit, and the envelope sealed and returned to the board of elections in the manner provided by this chapter for protested official ballots, including a statement of the number of such ballots.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.