What's happening
This bill requires boards of elections to count ballots if voters substantially comply with requirements or are identifiable in the statewide registration list, even with certain errors.
Why it matters
Reduces Ballot Rejection for Minor Errors. By allowing ballots to be counted if voters "substantially complied" with requirements, this bill could significantly decrease the number of ballots rejected due to technical mistakes, such as incomplete addresses or small paperwork errors.
Emphasizes Voter Intent and Eligibility. The amendments shift the focus from strict procedural adherence to whether the voter was actually eligible and can be identified, making the process fairer for voters who may struggle with paperwork but are otherwise entitled to vote.
Increases Consistency and Trust in Election Outcomes. By clarifying that certain errors (like missing a previous address) are not "fatal defects," the law may lead to more consistent standards across different boards of elections, reducing confusion and potential disputes over ballot validity.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Count More Ballots
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Approval memo.64
- Signed chap.717
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 40–22
- 3rd reading cal.711
- Substituted for S3045B
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.95
- Rules report cal.95
Show 5 earlier actions
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Print number 1320a
- Amend (t) and recommit 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.
Count More Voter Ballots
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1320--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, COOK, GOTTFRIED, RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to canvass of ballots cast by certain voters
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 9-209 of the election law is amended by adding two new subparagraphs (v) and (vi) to read as follows:
(v) If the board of elections determines that a person was entitled to vote at such election, the board shall cast and canvass such ballot if such board finds that the voter substantially complied with the requirements of this chapter.
(vi) If the board of elections finds that the statewide voter registration list supplies sufficient information to identify a voter, failure by the voter to include on the envelope the address where such voter was previously registered shall not be a fatal defect and the board shall cast and canvass such ballot.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02909-05-9
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.