What's happening
This bill allows victims of domestic violence to directly request confidentiality of their voter registration records from the board of elections.
Why it matters
Expands access to confidentiality protections. by removing the need for a court order—victims can now request privacy directly from the board of elections, reducing barriers and delays that could expose them to further harm.
Empowers victims with more control. over their personal safety and information, allowing them to proactively safeguard their voter registration records when they feel threatened, rather than relying on judicial processes.
Reduces administrative and emotional burdens. on victims by eliminating the requirement to go to court, which can be intimidating, time-consuming, and retraumatizing for those escaping abusive situations.
May increase voter participation. among survivors of domestic violence, who might otherwise avoid registering to vote due to fears that their address could be discovered by their abuser.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Keep Abuse Victims’ Records Private
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 25
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11052
IN ASSEMBLY
October 7, 2020
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Rozic) -read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the confidentiality of registration records for victims of domestic violence
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 5-508 of the election law, as amended by chapter 396 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
2. (a) A victim of domestic violence may deliver to the board of elections, in the county wherein such victim of domestic violence is registered or intends to be registered pursuant to this article, in person or by mail, a signed written statement swearing or affirming:
(i) that such person is the victim of domestic violence; and
(ii) that because of the threat of physical or emotional harm to themself or to family or household members, such person wishes for their registration record to be kept confidential.
(b) Upon application made to the [supreme court, county court, or family court, in the county wherein a victim of domestic violence is registered pursuant to this article, the court may issue an order requiring] board of elections pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the board of elections shall ensure that any registration record kept or maintained in accordance with this article and any other records with respect to such [an individual] victim of domestic violence be kept separate and apart from other such records and not be made available for inspection or copying by the public or any other person, except election officials acting within the course and scope of their official duties and only as pertinent and necessary in connection therewith.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD17386-02-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.