What's happening
This bill allows Westchester County to accept petitions for designation or nomination until midnight on the last filing day.
Why it matters
Extends candidate access. By allowing filings until midnight on the last day, the bill gives candidates and political groups in Westchester County more time to gather signatures, troubleshoot issues, and ensure petitions are complete, potentially increasing participation and competition.
Levels the playing field. Matching the extended hours already available in New York City promotes fairness, so Westchester candidates aren't at a disadvantage compared to those in other major jurisdictions.
Improves election administration. Mandating that the Board of Elections remain open until midnight on the final filing day ensures staff are available to process last-minute submissions, reducing confusion, disputes, or potential legal challenges about late filings.
Could boost voter choice. More candidates meeting filing deadlines may lead to fuller ballots, giving voters a wider range of options and strengthening local democracy.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Extend Petition Filing Hours
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by S4264
- Advanced to third reading cal.370
- Reported
- Print number 349a
- Amend 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.
Extend Petition Filing Hours
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
349--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, GALEF, ABINANTI, BUCHWALD, PRETLOW, OTIS -- 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 the filing of papers in the county of Westchester
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1-106 of the election law, as amended by chapter 5 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
1. All papers required to be filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall, unless otherwise provided, be filed between the hours of nine A.M. and five P.M. On the last day of filing in the county of Westchester, petitions of designation or nomination shall be filed between the hours of nine A.M. and midnight and such board of elections office shall be open to receive such petitions during the hours herein specified. If the last day for filing shall fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the next business day shall become the last day for filing. All papers sent by mail in an envelope postmarked prior to midnight of the last day of filing shall be deemed timely filed and accepted for filing when received, except that all certificates and petitions of designation or nomination, certificates of acceptance or declination of such designations or nominations, certificates of authorization for such designations or nominations, certificates of disqualification, certificates of substitution for such designations or nominations and objections and specifications of objections to such certificates and petitions required to be filed with the state board of elections or a board of elections outside of the city of New York shall be deemed timely filed and accepted for filing if sent by mail or overnight delivery service pursuant to subdivision three of this section,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03711-03-9
A. 349--A 2
and received no later than two business days after the last day to file such certificates, petitions, objections or specifications. Failure of the post office or any other person or entity to deliver any such petition, certificate or objection to such board of elections outside the city of New York no later than two business days after the last day to file such certificates, petitions, objections or specifications shall be a fatal defect. Excepted further that all certificates and petitions of designation or nomination, certificates of acceptance or declination of such designations and nominations, certificates of substitution for such designations or nominations and objections and specifications of objections to such certificates and petitions required to be filed with the board of elections of the city of New York must be actually received by such city board of elections on or before the last day to file any such petition, certificate or objection and such office shall be open for the receipt of such petitions, certificates and objections until midnight on the last day to file any such petition, certificate or objection. Failure of the post office or any other person or entity to deliver any such petition, certificate or objection to such city board of elections on or before such last day shall be a fatal defect.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.