What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow any qualified voter to vote by absentee ballot without needing a specific reason.
Why it matters
Expands voting access. The amendment removes existing restrictions that limit absentee voting to those who are absent from their county or physically unable to go to the polls, making absentee ballots available to all qualified voters. This could increase voter participation, especially among people with work, family, or health constraints not currently covered by law.
Modernizes election law. By updating absentee voting rules, the amendment brings New York in line with many other states that already offer no-excuse absentee voting, potentially making the state's election system more flexible and responsive to changing voter needs and lifestyles.
Potential impact on election administration. Allowing all voters to choose absentee ballots could significantly increase the volume of mail-in votes, requiring updates to election infrastructure, ballot processing, and security measures to ensure timely and accurate counting.
Addresses voter equity. The change could help reduce barriers for groups historically less likely to vote in person, such as students, caregivers, people with unpredictable schedules, and those concerned about safety or public health during emergencies.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Absentee Ballot Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8558
IN SENATE
May 10, 2018
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 2 of article 2 of the constitution, in relation to absentee voting
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 2 of article 2 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
§ 2. The legislature may, by general law, provide a manner in which, and the time and place at which, qualified voters [who, on the occurrence of any election, may be absent from the county of their residence or, if residents of the city of New York, from the city, and qualified voters who, on the occurrence of any election, may be unable to appear personally at the polling place because of illness or physical disability,] may vote by absentee ballot, and for the return and canvass of their votes.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89137-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 2 of article 2 of the constitution, in relation to absentee voting
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow any voter to vote by absentee ballot without reason.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Resolved, that section 2 of article 2 of the constitution be amended to read as follows: The legislature may, by general law, provide a manner in which, and the time and place at which, qualified voters may vote by absentee ballot, and for the return and canvass of their votes.
Section 2. Resolved, that the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Justification
There are various forms of voting proposals allowing citizens more opportunity to participate in our democracy. For some, voting by absen- tee ballot would be a matter of convenience. For many individuals, however, who cannot leave work on election day, are elderly, or have no transportation, absentee voting might provide the only opportunity for them to exercise their right to vote.
Current law requires that an individual can vote by absentee ballot only if that individual is absent from the county of his or her residence; is unable to appear at their polling place due to disability or illness; is a resident of a veterans health administration hospital; or detained in a jail awaiting action by a grand jury or awaiting trial or confined in jail or prison after a conviction for an offense other than a felony.
This legislation would allow citizens to vote by absentee ballot without requiring any excuse.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Resolved, that the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.