What's happening
This bill removes the requirement for boards of elections to publish certified copies of election results in newspapers.
Why it matters
Reflects changing information access. The bill recognizes the shift away from print media, as more citizens now access election results online or through other digital means rather than traditional newspapers.
Potential cost savings. By removing the mandate to publish certified election results in newspapers, local governments and boards of elections could save significant public funds previously spent on publication fees.
Transparency and accessibility concerns. While digital publication may reach many, this change might reduce access for residents who rely on newspapers for official information, potentially impacting older adults or those without reliable internet.
Modernizes outdated requirements. The amendment updates the law to better align with current technology and communication practices, reducing administrative burdens on boards of elections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Election Results Publication
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to elections
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8371
IN SENATE
May 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. AKSHAR -- 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 the publication of certified copies of election results
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 9-212 of the election law, as amended by chapter 635 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
2. All such determinations shall be in writing and signed by the members of the canvassing board or a majority of them and filed and recorded in the office of the board of elections. [Except in the city of New York and in the counties of Nassau, Orange and Westchester, the board of elections shall cause a copy of such determinations, and of the statements filed in its office upon which such determinations were based, to be published once in each of the newspapers designated to publish election notices and the official canvass. The statement of canvass to be published, however, shall not give the vote by election districts but shall contain only the total vote for a person, or the total vote for and the total vote against a ballot proposal, cast within the county, or within the portion thereof, if any, in which an office is filled or ballot proposal is decided by the voters if the canvass of the vote thereon devolves upon the county board of canvassers. Such totals shall be expressed in arabic numerals.]
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15528-01-8
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 the publication of certified copies of election results
Purpose
This bill eliminates the requirement that certified copies of election results be published in certain legal ads.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 9-212(2) of the election law to eliminate the requirement that certified copies of election results be published in certain legal ads.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
With the on-site and immediate coverage of elections by the news media the results of an election are immediately known by the public. In addi- tion, many county boards of elections and the New York State Board of elections post unofficial election results on their websites. As a result, the current requirement to subsequently publish the certified results is antiquated, redundant and costly.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.