What's happening
This bill allows board of elections employees and election workers to obtain and cast special ballots more flexibly and conveniently.
Why it matters
Expands ballot access for election workers. The bill allows board of elections employees and appointed election workers to obtain special ballots at any time up to the close of polls on election day, making it easier for them to vote despite their work obligations.
Modernizes ballot distribution. By permitting special ballots to be provided at the board of elections or during training sessions for election staff, the bill integrates voting into the workflow of election workers, reducing logistical hurdles and increasing convenience.
Clarifies voting and return procedures. The new rules require that these special ballots be voted and returned at the board of elections (including at training locations), and on the same day they are issued—streamlining handling and potentially bolstering ballot security.
Recognizes the unique needs of election personnel. The changes reflect an understanding that election workers often cannot go to their home polling places, and adapts the law to ensure their votes are counted without compromising the integrity or timing of the voting process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Election Workers Vote Anytime
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2785
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AKSHAR -- 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 special ballots for board of elections employees
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-302 of the election law, as amended by chapter 163 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
§ 11-302. Special ballots for board of election employees. A person who is an employee of the board of elections or who has been appointed to serve as an inspector of elections, poll clerk or election coordinator at a polling place other than the one at which he or she is registered to vote, may deliver to the inspectors of election of the election district in which he or she is registered, or to the board of elections, at any time during the period in which an application for an absentee ballot may be so delivered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, a written statement that he or she will be unable to appear at the polling place for such election district on the day of an election because his or her duties as an employee of such board or as an inspector, poll clerk or election coordinator require him or her to be elsewhere. The board of elections shall provide such voter a special ballot [not earlier than two weeks before the election and not later than] any time prior to the close of the polls on election day and make ballots available at the board of elections or at any training sessions for election employees and appointees, provided however that the availability and distribution of such ballots to such voters shall be timed to afford such voters sufficient time to cast such ballots prior to the close of the polls on election day. Such [cast ballots may be delivered to an office of such board of elections or to any board of inspectors not later than the close of the polls on election day] ballots shall be voted in the offices of the board of elections, and returned to the board on the day
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01621-02-7
S. 2785 2
they are issued. For the purposes of this chapter, the offices of the board of elections shall include any facility utilized for the training of elections inspectors and other election day personnel. Such ballots shall be retained at the board of elections and cast and canvassed pursuant to the provisions of section 9-209 of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 special ballots for board of elections employees
Purpose
To provide election workers with special ballots any time up until the close of polls on election day.
Summary of provisions
Section one - amends section 11-302 of the election law, as amended by chapter 163 of the laws of 2010 to allow board of election employees or Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
In November of 2012, the special ballots of fifty-three Ulster County Board of Elections employees were nearly disenfranchised when it was discovered that they were submitted prior to the two week window the law requires. Fortunately, it was decided judicially that these ballots would be opened and counted. This bill amends current law to allow special ballots to be submitted any time after such a ballot is printed, and prevent future need for judicial ruling on such issues, protecting a voter's right.
Legislative history
2016 - S.7077: Referred to Elections. 2015 - S.5399: Referred to Elections. 2014 - S.4269A: Referred to Elections/A.3750A: Referred to Election Law.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.