What's happening
This bill allows attorneys who are New York State residents and licensed to practice there to serve as election watchers.
Why it matters
Expands eligibility for election watchers. beyond just local qualified voters to include attorneys who are New York State residents and licensed to practice law, potentially increasing the pool of individuals who can serve in this important oversight role.
Could improve legal oversight and response. at polling sites by allowing trained legal professionals to serve as watchers, possibly leading to quicker resolution of disputes or clarification of election law issues on the spot.
Might impact the balance of election monitoring. by enabling political parties or candidates to appoint attorneys from anywhere in the state (not just the local area), potentially increasing the presence of legally-savvy observers in contentious districts.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Lawyers Watch Polls
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- 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.
Let Lawyers Watch Polls
In Assembly Committee · Rules · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3405
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, COMRIE, KRUEGER -- 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 watchers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 8-500 of the election law, as amended by chapter 254 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
4. Each watcher must be a qualified voter of the city or county in which he or she is to serve. No person shall be appointed or act as a watcher who is a candidate for any public office to be voted for by the voters of the election district in the same election in which the watcher is to serve. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as prohibiting any such candidate from visiting a polling place in such district on an election day while the polls are open, or an attorney who is a New York state resident and is licensed to practice law therein.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07512-01-7
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 watchers
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends Election Law section 8-500(4) to allow attorneys who are state residents and licensed to practice law in the state to require be watchers anywhere in the State.
Section 2: Provides for the Act to take effect immediately.
Existing law
Under current law, a poll watcher must be registered to vote in the county in which he is to serve.
Justification
Attorneys licensed to practice law in New York are not restricted in their practices to any locality or court. They may practice before any court in the state, as well as before the boards of elections everywhere in the state. They are also trained as observers and to accurately report their observations. There should be no restriction on their ability to be in a polling place on Election Day, where their skills can be invaluable in both detecting improper conduct, such as voter intimidation and suppression, and electioneering, and in obtaining a quick resolution of such unlawful conduct by reporting it to the appropriate authorities, including Election Day judges.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.5982 - Referred to Elections 2013-14: S.3373B - Amend and Recommit to Elections 2011-12: S.2348 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.