What's happening
This bill prohibits election commissioners from also serving as chairs of political parties in their county.
Why it matters
Reduces conflicts of interest. by ensuring that the officials responsible for overseeing elections are not simultaneously leading local political parties, which can help bolster public trust in election administration.
Promotes impartiality in election oversight. by removing the potential for party chairs to influence election rules, processes, or outcomes in ways that favor their own party.
Helps maintain a clear separation between political and administrative roles. , which can make it easier to hold election commissioners accountable and may reduce the likelihood of partisan disputes over election fairness.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Party Chairs as Commissioners
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
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.
Bar Party Chairs as Commissioners
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Sandy Galef
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1063
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to prohibiting election commissioners from being chairs of political parties
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 3-200 of the election law, as amended by chapter 195 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
4. No person shall be appointed as election commissioner or continue to hold office who is not a registered voter in the county and not an enrolled member of the party recommending his or her appointment, or who is the chair of a political organization in such county or who holds any other public office, except that of commissioner of deeds, notary public, village officer, city or town justice, member of a community board within the city of New York or trustee or officer of a school district outside of a city.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01987-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to prohibiting election commissioners from being chairs of political parties
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit election commissioners from being chairs of political parties.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 3-200 of the of the Election Law is amended as follows: 4. No person shall be appointed as election commissioner or continue to hold office who is not a registered voter in the county and not an enrolled member of the party recommending his or her appointment, or who is the chair of a political organization in such county or who holds any other public office, except that of commissioner of deeds, notary public, village officer, city or town justice, member of a community board within the city of New York or trustee or officer of a school district outside of a city.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Political organization chairs and election commissioners wield power and influence over political candidates and elected officials since they are indispensable to them in every stage of the electoral process. The extent and depth of the interrelationships amongst all are substantial, having implications for the integrity, transparency and accountability of our election system.
The state election system is set up in which the county boards of elections administer the balloting and voting process, an intricate and complicated one. They are responsible for the minutia which can cost a candidate a party line on the ballot or a close election.
County boards are relatively free to operate with minimal interference from other governmental entities. County boards of elections are accountable to the: county political parties to whom they report (who nominate the commissioners); county legislature who ratifies the commissioners, sets commissioner salaries and establishes the board of elections budget; and the state board of elections in matters where the state board has jurisdiction.
Many election commissioners occupy simultaneous positions as chairs of political parties and organizations. In having both positions, then, they are instrumental in the recruitment of candidates, putting those candidates on the ballot and certifying election results. These circumstances can give rise to conflicts of interest, or the appearance of them, exacerbating the public distrust of government and elections.
This legislation would ensure that such conflicts of interest would not arise, safeguarding the foundation of our democracy, our electoral system.
Legislative history
S5266/A7000
Fiscal implications
There are no fiscal implications associated with this legislation. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.