What's happening
This bill requires New York's Board of Elections to notify absentee voters about the status and acceptance of their ballots, including reasons for rejection and correction steps.
Why it matters
Empowers voters to fix mistakes. By requiring the Board of Elections to spell out why a ballot was rejected and how to correct it, the law gives voters a real chance to fix errors and ensure their vote counts, rather than being disqualified without explanation.
Increases transparency and builds trust. Voters will know the status of their absentee ballot—whether received, accepted, or rejected—reducing uncertainty and suspicion about whether their vote was counted.
Promotes accountability in election administration. The Board of Elections must document and communicate every absentee ballot’s outcome, making their processes more transparent and reducing the potential for arbitrary or hidden disqualifications.
Improves accessibility for all voters. Providing both written and online notifications means more voters, including those with disabilities or limited internet access, can stay informed about their ballot, supporting broader participation in elections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Notify Absentee Voters on Ballots
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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.
Notify Absentee Ballot Status
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
1280
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. QUART, LAVINE, GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the board of elections to notify absentee voters of the status of their ballot
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 8-412 of the election law is amended by adding two new subdivisions 3 and 4 to read as follows:
3. The board of elections shall provide written documentation or online confirmation of receipt of an absentee ballot and whether such ballot was accepted by the board.
4. When an absentee ballot is not accepted by the board of elections, the board shall provide the voter with written documentation or online confirmation that such ballot was not accepted. The written documentation or online confirmation provided to the voter by the board shall provide an explanation detailing the reason why the absentee ballot was not accepted and how the ballot may be corrected.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01317-01-9
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.