What's happening
This bill allows eligible New Yorkers to register and vote at their polling place on Election Day with proper ID or by affidavit ballot.
Why it matters
Expands access to the ballot by letting unregistered but otherwise eligible voters register and vote at their local polling place on Election Day, reducing barriers for people who missed earlier registration deadlines.
Requires presentation of state-approved identification proving residency, aligning with federal standards (Help America Vote Act), which may enhance election security but could still pose challenges for those lacking certain documents.
Provides a backup option—affidavit ballots—for those unable to show required ID, ensuring that people are not turned away outright; these votes are counted only if officials later confirm the voter’s eligibility and residence.
Directs local boards of elections to create clear procedures for same-day registration and voting, potentially prompting logistical changes and new training for poll workers, and raising considerations about administrative costs and efficiency.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Register to Vote on Election Day
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3235
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 20, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GIANARIS, BROOKS, HOYLMAN, KRUEGER, SQUADRON -- 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 allowing for polling place voter registration for any qualified person who is not registered to vote
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 5-210 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article relating to registration requirements, any qualified person who is not registered in this state may apply personally for registration and enrollment by appearing at the appropriate polling place for the election district in which he or she resides on the day of any primary, general or special election during the hours that such polling place is open for voting. To be eligible to register pursuant to this subdivision, a person must provide acceptable forms of identification containing proof of residence, as determined by state law implementing the Help Americans Vote Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-252). Any person who so registers to vote shall execute the following instrument in substantially the following form:
"I, (name), do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury, that, to the best of my knowledge, I am a qualified voter, having resided at (place of residence) for at least thirty days immediately preceding this election, that I am not disqualified on any legal grounds from voting and that I have not already voted at this election."
(b) If a registrant is unable to provide valid proof of residence as required by paragraph (a) of this subdivision, such registrant may be allowed to register for and vote in any election by affidavit ballot.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02931-01-7
S. 3235 2
Such affidavit ballot shall not be counted until election officials can determine such registrant's residence and eligibility to vote.
(c) The board of elections shall establish a procedure by which a person who registers pursuant to this subdivision may cast his or her vote at the appropriate polling place.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.
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 allowing for polling place voter registration for any qualified person who is not registered to vote
Summary of specific provisions
Section 5-210 of election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a which enables qualified persons to register to vote.
Justification
This legislation seeks to set parameters and guidelines for Election Day voter registration ("EDR"). Allowing for persons eligible to vote to register to vote up until, and on, Election Day has increased voter turnout in the 13 jurisdictions (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia) in which it has been enacted. Studies indicate that turnout was 141 higher in EDR states than country in the 2004 election cycle. New York consistently ranks near the bottom in voter turnout in the country. It is imperative that state take every action necessary to allow eligible voters the involved in elections until the very last moment when often it is too late to register to vote. This must be changed, voters should have the ability to register and vote on Election Day.
Prior legislative history
2016: Died in Elections 2015: Died in Elections 2014: Senate Bill 609A (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Elections Committee 2013: Senate Bill 609 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Elections Committee 2012: Senate Bill 1972-A (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Elections Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This shall take effect January 1, 2018.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.