What's happening
This bill allows election inspectors or poll clerks to work split shifts, with rules ensuring bipartisan presence at all times.
Why it matters
Could improve recruitment and retention of poll workers. by making it possible for more people—including those who can't commit to a full day—to serve as election inspectors or poll clerks.
Mandates bipartisan oversight throughout voting hours,. reducing opportunities for partisan bias or misconduct by requiring at least one inspector from each major party to be present at all times.
Gives local boards of elections more flexibility and authority. to set rules and procedures for managing split shifts, including clear guidelines for when requests can be denied, which could help standardize operations and prevent arbitrary decisions.
May enhance accessibility and efficiency at polling sites. by allowing fresh workers to cover long voting days, potentially reducing fatigue-driven errors and improving voter experience.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Split Shifts for Poll Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
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.
Allow Split Shifts for Poll Workers
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1272
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. QUART, LIFTON, LAVINE, ROZIC -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GOTTFRIED -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to split shifts for election inspectors or poll clerks
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 3-400 of the election law, as amended by chapter 293 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
7. The board of elections may employ election inspectors or poll clerks to work split shifts with adjusted compensation, provided, however, that there shall not be a time when the poll site is open that there is not at least one inspector from each of the two major political parties [is] present [at the poll site for the entire time that the polls are open]. Each county board of elections shall prescribe the necessary rules and procedures to ensure proper poll site operation, including rules detailing the basis on which a request by an election inspector or poll clerk to work a split shift may be denied.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01361-01-9
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.