What's happening
This bill requires boards of elections to mail sample ballots to all registered voters at least 10 days before an election.
Why it matters
Increases voter preparedness and awareness. by ensuring every registered voter receives a sample ballot by mail, which helps voters familiarize themselves with candidates, referenda, and the ballot format before election day.
Addresses voter confusion and mistakes. by providing illustrated directions for using the voting machine, potentially lowering the rate of errors and spoiled ballots at the polls.
Reduces last-minute information gaps. by requiring ballots to arrive at least 10 days before the election, giving voters more time to research choices and make informed decisions.
May improve election administration accuracy. by mailing to only active registered voters and allowing single mailings per household, which can help keep voter rolls up-to-date and reduce unnecessary mailings, ultimately saving costs and improving efficiency.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Mail Sample Ballots to Voters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
473
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PERALTA -- 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 requiring the board of elections to provide a registered voter with a sample ballot prior to an election
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 4-117 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. The board of elections, not less than ten days nor more than twenty days before the day of the general election in each year, shall send by first class mail on which is endorsed "ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED" and which contains a request that any such mail received for persons not residing at the address be dropped back in the mail, a sample ballot, as required pursuant to section 7-118 of this chapter, in a form approved by the state board of elections, to every registered voter who has been registered without a change of address since the beginning of such year. The board of elections shall not be required to send such sample ballot to voters in inactive status. In lieu of sending such communication with such sample ballot to every registered voter, the board of elections may send a single communication to a household containing more than one registered voter, provided that the names of all such voters appear as part of the address on such communication.
§ 2. 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00094-01-7
S. 473 2
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] shall be mailed by the board of elections to each eligible voter [at least three days] not less than ten days nor more than twenty 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]. 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.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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 board of elections to provide a registered voter with a sample ballot prior to an election
Purpose
The purpose of this legislation is to give voters the opportunity to view the actual ballot prior to going to their designated polling site.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 4-117 of the election law by adding a new subdivision 1-A to require the board of elections mail a sample ballot not less than 10 days nor more than 20 days before election day to every registered voter with active status. This legislation allows for the Board of Elections to mail a single ballot to a household containing more than one registered voter.
Existing law
Current law does not require that an actual sample ballot be mailed to registered voters.
Justification
The importance of voting simply cannot be understated. As an essential piece of our representative government, voting is a fundamental right and is one of the most direct ways for individuals to influence government decision-making. An individual's vote is critical to each and every election, as many elections come down to each single vote being counted.
As a Legislative Body representing all New Yorkers, we need to provide every potential voter with the necessary information he or she might need to cast their vote on election day. Quite often, depending on the election year, ballots can be confusing to voters. By requiring a sample ballot to be mailed prior to an election, we would be providing critical information to help assist voters in researching and choosing a candidate, as well as helping to reduce confusion for voters once they step inside the booth.
Legislative history
2015-2016-S.1344 2013-2014 - S.46 2011-12: S.668 2008 - Referred to Elections 2009 - Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.