What's happening
This bill requires that at least one inspector from each major party be present at poll sites at all times while polls are open.
Why it matters
Ensures bipartisan oversight at polling places. by mandating that at least one inspector from each of the two major parties be present whenever polls are open, which may help prevent allegations of partisan bias or misconduct during voting.
Limits flexibility in scheduling. for boards of elections, as they must always have inspectors from both major parties on site—even if using half-day shifts—potentially increasing staffing challenges and administrative costs.
Could boost voter confidence. in the integrity and fairness of the election process by making sure representatives from both major parties monitor polling activities at all times, possibly reducing disputes over election procedures or outcomes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Bipartisan Poll Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.457
- Referred to elections
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to election law
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.1083
- 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.
Require Inspectors at Polls
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2793
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 election inspectors at poll sites
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 3-400 of the election law, as added by chapter 5 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
7. The board of elections may employ election inspectors to work halfday shifts with adjusted compensation, provided, however, that at least one inspector from each of the two major political parties is present at the poll site [for the entire time] at all times that the polls are open. Each county board of elections shall prescribe the necessary rules and procedures to ensure proper poll site operation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01661-01-7
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 at poll sites
Purpose and justification
Serving as a poll inspectors means a long day at the polling place, and this can prove difficult for many inspectors. The current law allows half day employment of inspectors, but requires that at least one of the inspectors from each major party be there all day. This bill will change this requirement, so that as long as there is an inspector from each major party present at all times, all inspectors could work for a half day. This bill will make it easier to recruit poll inspectors who may hesitate to commit to a very long day of work.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 7 of section 3-400 of the Election Law to provide that there must be at least one inspector from each of the two major political parties present at a poll site at all times the polls are open.
Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Legislative history
2016: S.7073, Referred to Elections/ A.7959, Referred to Election Law 2015-16: S.3680, Referred to Elections 2013-14: S.3485, Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
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.