What's happening
This bill allows county boards of elections to appoint poll watchers for special, town, or village elections solely on ballot proposals, ensuring fair representation of advocacy groups.
Why it matters
Expands oversight during ballot-only elections. By allowing county boards of elections to appoint poll watchers specifically for elections with only ballot proposals, the bill helps ensure transparency and public trust in the outcome when no candidates are on the ballot.
Guarantees advocacy group representation. The bill requires that poll watchers be chosen to fairly represent both supporters and opponents of a ballot proposal, aiming to prevent dominance by one side and promoting balanced monitoring.
Provides a formal process for watcher appointment. It establishes that the board of elections, rather than just party officials or candidates, can issue watcher certificates for these types of elections, clarifying authority and potentially streamlining the process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Poll Watchers for Proposals
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.
Add Poll Watchers for Proposals
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1929
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 18, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI, BUCHWALD, GALEF, ABINANTI, JAFFEE -read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to poll watchers for special, town or village elections being held for the sole purpose of a ballot proposal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 8-500 of the election law, as amended by chapter 373 of the laws of 1978, are amended to read as follows:
1. At any general, special, town or village election, any party committee or independent body whose candidates are upon the ballot, and when a special, town or village election is being held for the sole purpose of a ballot proposal or proposals, the board of elections of the county in which the election is being held and at any primary election, any two or more candidates and any political committee may have for each election district three watchers at any one time, not more than one of whom may be within the guard rail at any one time. Watchers shall be appointed by the chairman of any such party, committee or independent body or by the candidates or by the board of elections, upon request, for a special, town or village election that is being held for the sole purpose of a ballot proposal or proposals. In such elections, the board of elections shall appoint watchers in a manner that ensures equitable representation of organizations or individuals that are advocating the passage or defeat of the ballot proposal or proposals.
3. The appointment of watchers for any election shall be by a certificate in writing issued by the chairman or secretary of the political party or independent body, [or] the candidates or the board of elections. Such certificate shall be delivered to an inspector at the election district.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01586-01-9
A. 1929 2
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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.