What's happening
This bill requires New York to create a secure website allowing voters to track the status of their absentee ballot applications and ballots.
Why it matters
Increases transparency and voter confidence. By letting voters see the status of their absentee ballot applications and ballots, this measure helps reassure voters their votes are being properly handled and counted, addressing concerns about lost or mishandled ballots.
Promotes accountability in elections. County and NYC boards of elections will have to publicly report the status of each absentee ballot at key stages (receipt, approval/rejection, mailing, return, and counting), creating a record that can help audit or resolve disputes.
Improves accessibility and ease of use. The website will not require voters to create an account, lowering barriers for participation and making it easier for all voters, including those less tech-savvy, to check their ballot status.
Provides clear reasons for ballot rejection. If an absentee application or ballot is rejected, the website must include a brief explanation, giving voters an opportunity to understand and potentially correct errors, which could reduce disenfranchisement due to misunderstandings or mistakes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Track Absentee Ballots Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5184
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 10, 2017
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- 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 absentee ballot tracking
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 8-414 to read as follows:
§ 8-414. Absentee ballot tracking. The state board of elections shall assist county boards and the New York city board of elections to provide a secure website through which any registered voter who has submitted an application for an absentee ballot, or who otherwise has a right to receive an absentee ballot, for an upcoming election pursuant to this chapter may view the current status of their absentee application and absentee ballot. Such website shall not require users to create an account. Such website shall indicate for each such voter whether the county or New York city board of elections has:
1. received such voter's request for an absentee ballot, if applicable;
2. approved or rejected such request, if applicable, and, if rejected, a brief statement of the reason for rejection;
3. mailed or delivered an absentee ballot to such voter for such upcoming election;
4. received such voter's completed absentee ballot for such upcoming election; and
5. counted or rejected such voter's completed absentee ballot for such upcoming election, and, if rejected, a brief statement of the reason for rejection.
§ 2. This act shall be subject to appropriations required to cover the costs to develop and maintain the website.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00324-01-7
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 absentee ballot tracking
Purpose
Require the Boards of Elections to provide a secure website through which New Yorkers could track their absentee ballot every step of the process from the moment the local board of elections receives the request for a ballot until the moment the vote is counted.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends election law by adding a new section 8-414 relating to setting up and maintain an absentee ballot tracking website and the required information to be available through that website.
Section 2 sets forth that this act is subject to appropriations for the cost to develop and maintain the website.
Justification
The legislation builds on the 2009 Military and Overseas Voters Empowerment (MOVE) Act, which required a similar system for overseas voters and members of the military who vote via absentee ballot. Some states, already tracking the ballots for those voters, opted to do so for everyone, including Massachusetts, Iowa and Florida. This legislation would provide a system for every voter who votes by absentee ballot to track the process and ensure that their vote is counted in the election.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.5416 Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
There would be no fiscal cost to localities and the bill would be subject to an appropriation in a future state budget.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 120 days after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.