What's happening
This bill requires county boards of elections to post sample ballots online in accessible formats before elections.
Why it matters
Expands voter access to information. by requiring sample ballots to be posted online, making it easier for voters to review ballot content before Election Day, which can help reduce confusion and mistakes at the polls.
Addresses accessibility needs. by mandating that online sample ballots must be provided in a format compatible with screen-reading technology, directly benefiting voters who are blind or visually impaired.
Creates statewide consistency. by having all county boards transmit ballot data to the state board, ensuring uniform access and reducing disparities between counties in how election information is distributed.
Promotes transparency and preparedness. by making candidate and contest information available online, empowering voters to research and make informed decisions ahead of voting.
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Who cares
County boards of elections
They would have to electronically send candidate and contest information for every ballot style to the state board as it becomes available, using a state-prescribed format.
State Board of Elections
It would have to create a system making that information publicly available through its website and county board websites in a screen-reader-accessible format.
Voters who use screen readers
They would gain access to online candidate and contest information formatted to work with their screen-reading programs.
Voters reviewing their ballot choices
They could consult candidate and contest information for each ballot style on election board websites.
Headline styles
Post Ballot Info Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Signed chap.410
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 41–21
- 3rd reading cal.1125
- Substituted for S1590
- Referred to finance
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.213
- Reported
- 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.
Post Ballot Info Online
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor James Sanders Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
163
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, BENEDETTO, BUCHWALD, ABINANTI, GALEF, STECK, ASHBY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the posting of sample ballots on a board of elections website
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7-118 of the election law, as amended by chapter 157 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
§ 7-118. Ballots; facsimile and sample. The board of elections shall provide facsimile and sample ballots which shall be arranged in the form of a diagram showing such part of the face of the voting machine as shall be in use at that election. Such facsimile and sample ballots shall be either in full or reduced size and shall contain suitable illustrated directions for voting on the voting machine. Such facsimile ballots shall be mounted and displayed for public inspection at each polling place during election day. Sample ballots may be mailed by the board of elections to each eligible voter at least three days before the election, or in lieu thereof, a copy of such sample ballot may be published at least once within one week preceding the election in newspapers representing the major political parties. Each county board of elections shall transmit electronically in a format to be determined by the state board of elections, as it is available, a copy of the candidate and contest information contained on each of its ballot styles to the state board of elections. The state board shall create a system to allow such information to be made publicly available via its website, as well as the website of any county board of elections, and in such a way as to be accessible with a computer screen-reading program. One copy of such facsimile shall be sent to each school in the county, providing the ninth through the twelfth years of compulsory education, and in the city
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00515-01-9
A. 163 2
of New York to each such school in the city of New York, at least one week before each general election for posting at a convenient place in such school. The board of elections shall also send a facsimile ballot to any other school requesting such a ballot.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.
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.