What's happening
This bill requires New York election boards to post sample ballots online in an accessible format before elections.
Why it matters
Enhances voter preparedness and access. By making sample ballots available online and in accessible formats, voters can review candidates and contests before voting, potentially reducing confusion and mistakes at the polls.
Promotes inclusivity. Requiring ballot information to be compatible with screen-reading technology ensures that voters with visual impairments or other disabilities have equitable access to essential election information.
Increases transparency and trust. Publicly posting sample ballots on official websites allows for greater scrutiny of ballot content, helping to build trust in the election process and reduce opportunities for misinformation regarding what voters will see on Election Day.
Supports civic education. Mandating that facsimile ballots be sent to high schools for display may help familiarize students with the voting process and encourage future voter participation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Post Ballot Info Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Print number 4113c
- Amend and recommit to elections
- Print number 4113b
- Amend and recommit to elections
- Print number 4113a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Post Ballots Online
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4113--C
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 3, 2017
Introduced by Sens. SANDERS, BAILEY, BROOKS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the posting of sample ballots on a board of elections website
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7-118 of the election law, as amended by chapter 157 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
§ 7-118. Ballots; facsimile and sample. The board of elections shall provide facsimile and sample ballots which shall be arranged in the form of a diagram showing such part of the face of the voting machine as shall be in use at that election. Such facsimile and sample ballots shall be either in full or reduced size and shall contain suitable illustrated directions for voting on the voting machine. Such facsimile ballots shall be mounted and displayed for public inspection at each polling place during election day. Sample ballots may be mailed by the board of elections to each eligible voter at least three days before the election, or in lieu thereof, a copy of such sample ballot may be published at least once within one week preceding the election in newspapers representing the major political parties. Each county board of elections shall transmit electronically in a format to be determined by the state board of elections, as it is available, a copy of the candidate and contest information contained on each of its ballot styles to the state board of elections. The state board shall create a system to allow such information to be made publicly available via its website, as well as the website of any county board of elections, and in such a way
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01716-10-7
S. 4113--C 2
as to be accessible with a computer screen-reading program. One copy of such facsimile shall be sent to each school in the county, providing the ninth through the twelfth years of compulsory education, and in the city of New York to each such school in the city of New York, at least one week before each general election for posting at a convenient place in such school. The board of elections shall also send a facsimile ballot to any other school requesting such a ballot.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
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 requiring the posting of sample ballots on a board of elections website
Purpose
This bill requires the board of election to post a copy of a sample ballot, including electronically for use with a computer screen-reading program, on its website prior to each election as soon as the relevant information becomes available.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section 7-118 of the election law, as amended by chapter 157 of the laws of 1996.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
At times, election days can be hectic and confusing. Requiring a board of elections to post sample ballots, which it already is required to create, will expedite the voting process. Making this information available on the a board of elections website, so that voters can see the layout and options ahead of time, will provide valuable information and can reduce waiting time at the polls.
Legislative history
2015-16: A.600 - Referred to Election Law; S.6522 - Referred to Elections 2013-14: A.996 - Referred to Election Law 2011-12: A.10769 - Referred to Election Law
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect January 1 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.