What's happening
This bill allows New York voter registration forms to include an optional field for applicants' email addresses.
Why it matters
Facilitates Faster and More Direct Communication. By collecting email addresses (optionally), election officials can quickly contact voters about registration issues, deadlines, or changes, potentially reducing delays caused by postal mail.
Enables Digital Election Engagement. The inclusion of emails could lay groundwork for future digital services, such as electronic notifications of polling place changes, absentee ballot tracking, or reminders about upcoming elections.
Enhances Administrative Efficiency. Email communication can reduce costs and administrative burdens associated with printing and mailing physical notices, saving taxpayer money in the long run.
Raises Privacy and Security Considerations. Adding personal email fields might raise concerns about data protection and potential misuse, making it important for the state to implement strong safeguards for voter information.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Email to Voter Forms
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.456
- Referred to elections
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.317
- 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.
Add Email to Voter Forms
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Shelley Mayer
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2791
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 adding an optional section to voter registration forms to allow for email addresses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (k) of subdivision 5 of section 5-210 of the election law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (xiii) to read as follows:
(xiii) The email address of the applicant (optional).
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02494-01-7
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 adding an optional section to voter registration forms to allow for email addresses
Purpose
This bill amends the election law to add an optional section to voter registration forms to allow a space for email addresses.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph (k) of subdivision 5 of section 5-210 of the election law by adding a new subparagraph (xiii) that allows for the email address of the applicant (optional).
Section 2 establishes the effective date.
Justification
This bill aligns the voter registration form with contemporary modes of communication by providing an optional space in which registrants can add their email address.
Legislative history
S.7071 of 2016: Committed to Rules. S.4330 of 2015-16: Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.