What's happening
This bill prohibits political parties from requiring individuals to carry designating petitions in order to be listed as election inspectors.
Why it matters
Ensures Fair Access to Inspector Roles. By prohibiting political parties from requiring individuals to carry designating petitions to be listed as election inspectors, the bill prevents parties from using this requirement as a gatekeeping tool, making the process more equitable.
Reduces Political Pressure. This change protects potential election inspectors from being pressured or coerced into participating in party-specific activities (like petitioning) in order to qualify for the position, supporting a more neutral and independent selection process.
Potential to Broaden Participation. Removing this prerequisite could allow a more diverse pool of candidates—those who may not be politically active or affiliated with internal party operations—to serve as election inspectors, which may enhance the integrity and representativeness of election administration.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Petition Requirement for Poll Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1273
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- 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 election inspectors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 3-404 of the election law is amended to read as follows:
3. Such lists shall be authenticated and filed by the chairman, or, under his or her direction by the secretary, of the county committee of the party, except that in cities other than the city of New York, if there is a general city committee of such party, such list shall be filed by the chairman or secretary of such city committee. The carrying of a party's designating petitions as a prerequisite to placing a person's name on such list is prohibited.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01043-01-7
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 election inspectors
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of the bill is to prohibit the required carrying of a party's designating petitions as a prerequisite, to becoming a poll worker.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 3 of section 3-404 of the election law by prohibiting that the carrying of a party's designating petitions as a prerequisite to placing a person's name on the list of poll workers.
Section 2 states that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Poll workers and poll clerks are the front lines in protecting our election process and voter rights. It is of the utmost importance that poll workers and poll clerks are therefore chosen based on merit and qualifications, rather than potential political favors.
Unfortunately, it has been a long-standing practice in some areas to require potential poll workers to carry the designating petitions for party nominations. This practice can give the impression that poll workers are subject to partisan pressure. The public perception that the election process is fair and unbiased must be treated as paramount.
This bill attempts to address this inherently suspect practice by prohibiting using petition-carrying as a prerequisite to designation as a poll worker.
Prior legislative history
2015-16, S.5123
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
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.