What's happening
The bill allows schools to be used as polling places only when students are not present, requiring alternative sites if school is in session.
Why it matters
Enhances student safety by preventing public access to school buildings for voting or voter registration when minors are present, reducing potential risks associated with mixing students and large numbers of non-school visitors.
Could require local boards of elections to identify and secure alternative polling sites when schools are in session, possibly increasing logistical challenges and costs for election administration.
May impact voter convenience and turnout in communities where schools are commonly used as polling places, especially if suitable alternative locations are limited or less accessible.
Reflects a growing emphasis on school security and the prioritization of student well-being over traditional civic uses of public school spaces.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Schools as Polling Places Allowed
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Limit School Polling Places
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Brian F. Curran
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4449
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 15, 2017
Introduced by Sen. KAMINSKY -- 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 primary and secondary schools being used as polling places
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 4-104 of the election law, as amended by chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every board of elections shall, in consultation with each city, town and village, designate the polling places in each election district in which the meetings for the registration of voters, and for any election may be held. The board of trustees of each village in which general and special village elections conducted by the board of elections are held at a time other than the time of a general election shall submit such a list of polling places for such village elections to the board of elections. A polling place may be located in a building owned by a religious organization or used by it as a place of worship. If such a building is designated as a polling place, it shall not be required to be open for voter registration on any Saturday if this is contrary to the religious beliefs of the religious organization. In such a situation, the board of elections shall designate an alternate location to be used for voter registration. A polling place may be located in a building utilized for primary or secondary school instruction. If such a building is designated as a polling place, it shall not be required to be open for voter registration or as a polling place if the school is in session and minors are scheduled to be present on such day. In such a situation, the board of elections shall designate an alternate location to be used for voter registration and as a polling place. Such polling places must be designated by May first, of each year, and shall be effective for one year thereafter. Such a list
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08561-01-7
S. 4449 2
required to be submitted by a village board of trustees must be submitted at least four months before each general village election and shall be effective until four months before the subsequent general village election. No place in which a business licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption is conducted on any day of local registration or of voting shall be so designated. If, within the discretion of the board of elections a particular polling place so designated is subsequently found to be unsuitable or unsafe or should circumstances arise that make a designated polling place unsuitable or unsafe, then the board of elections is empowered to select an alternative meeting place. In the city of New York, the board of elections shall designate such polling places and alternate registration places if the polling place cannot be used for voter registration on Saturdays.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 primary and secondary schools being used as polling places
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide that no primary or secondary school shall be required to be open for voter registration or used as a polling place when school is in session or minors are scheduled to be present.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one - amends subdivision 1 of section 4-104 of the election law, as amended by chapter 512 of the laws of 2010 to provide that no primary or secondary school shall be required to be open for voter registration or used as a polling place when in school is in session or minors are scheduled to be present.
Section two - sets forth the effective date
Justification
In recent years, school safety has become an issue across the country, with schools in New York instituting a number of safety and security measures to protect students. Many schools are locked to outsiders while school is in session so no one can enter without signing in and giving ID. However, on many election days, schools are one of the primary locations for voting. This bill would better protect minors in primary and secondary schools by banning polling sites from being located within schools while school is in session. It should be noted, that if New York State can agree on a date to consolidate the state and federal primaries, whether it is at the end of June or in August, schools are not in session at those times. Further, the presidential primary only comes once every four years. The only disruption not using primary and secondary schools as polling sites when they are in session would occur on general election days held in November, if the school does not decide to close or use a staff attendance or a professional development day. It should be noted that the city of New York already makes general election day a non-student attendance day.
Prior legislative history
New legislation
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.