What's happening
This bill amends absentee voting rules to require applications be received (not just mailed) by the board of elections no later than the day before the election, and clarifies acceptable written formats for requests.
Why it matters
Moves up the deadline for absentee ballot applications. By requiring applications to be *received* (not just mailed) by the board of elections no later than the day before an election, the bill shortens the window for last-minute absentee requests, potentially impacting voters who wait until close to Election Day to apply.
Clarifies written request formats. The language now explicitly allows letters, telefaxes, or other written instruments as valid ways to request an absentee ballot, potentially making the process clearer and more accessible for voters who use different communication methods.
Emphasizes the need for a voter’s signature. The bill reinforces that all written absentee requests—regardless of format—must include the voter’s signature, which may help prevent fraudulent applications but could also lead to more rejected requests if voters overlook this requirement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tighten Absentee Ballot Deadlines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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.
Tighten Absentee Ballot Deadlines
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8320
IN SENATE
May 1, 2018
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 voting
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subdivision 2 of section 8-400 of the election law, paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 321 of the laws of 1988 and paragraph (d) as separately amended by chapters 97 and 104 of the laws of 2010, are amended to read as follows:
(c) All applications must be [mailed to] received by the board of elections [not] no later than the [seventh] day before the election for which a ballot is first requested [or delivered to such board not later than the day before such election].
(d) The board of elections shall mail an absentee ballot to every qualified voter otherwise eligible for such a ballot, who requests such an absentee ballot from such board of elections in writing [in a letter, telefax indicating the address, phone number and the telefax number from which the writing is sent or other written instrument, which is signed by the voter] (which shall include a letter, telefax or other written instrument) containing the signature of the voter and received by the board of elections not earlier than the thirtieth day nor later than the [seventh] day before the election for which the ballot is first requested and which states the address where the voter is registered and the address to which the ballot is to be mailed; provided, however, a military voter may request a military ballot or voter registration application or an absentee ballot application in a letter as provided in subdivision three of section 10-106 of this chapter; and provided further, a special federal voter may request a special federal ballot or voter registration application or an absentee ballot application in a letter as provided in paragraph d of subdivision one of section 11-202 of this chapter. The board of elections shall enclose with such ballot a form of application for absentee ballot if the applicant is registered with such board of elections.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09094-01-7
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 voting
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill amends the laws relating to the use of absentee ballots so that the board of elections may receive applications for absentee ballots up to the day before an election.
Summary of specific provisions
§ 1 Amends the rules regarding absentee ballot applications by allowing such applications, or a letter or other written instrument request of such application containing the signature of the voter, to be received by the board of elections up until the day before the election.
§ 2 This act shall take effect immediately
Justification
By allowing the board of elections to receive applications, and requests for applications, for absentee ballots up the day before an election, and not necessarily by mail (in the case of a request for application), it will make it easier for voters to apply for absentee ballots.
Prior legislative history
02/06/17 referred to election law 05/09/17 reported 05/11/17 advanced to third reading cal.342 01/03/18 ordered to third reading cal.351 03/20/18 passed assembly 03/20/18 delivered to senate
03/20/18 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.