What's happening
This bill requires election day workers to arrive at polling sites at least one hour before polls open, instead of thirty minutes.
Why it matters
Longer preparation time for poll workers. may allow for more thorough setup, troubleshooting, and verification of voting equipment and supplies, potentially reducing errors and delays when polls open.
Earlier delivery and inspection of ballot scanner and marking device keys. gives inspectors added time to address any discrepancies or technical problems before voting starts, which can help maintain the integrity of the election process.
Increased time for pre-opening procedures. (like checking machine serial numbers, ensuring counters are set to zero, and allowing observers to verify records) may improve transparency and public trust in the accuracy of election results.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Earlier Arrival for Poll Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Ordered to third reading cal.175
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.345
- Rules report cal.345
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to ways and means
- 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.
Require Earlier Poll Worker Arrival
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4604
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BLAKE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the time election day workers must be at poll sites to prepare for the opening of polls, including receiving voting system keys and other ancillary election day supplies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 and subdivision 2 of section 8-102 of the election law, as amended by chapter 164 of the laws of 2010, are amended to read as follows:
The inspectors of election, and clerks, if any, shall meet at the polling place at least [one-half] one hour before the time set for opening the polls of election. The inspectors of election shall:
2. The keys to the ballot scanner and ballot marking device shall be delivered to the inspectors at least [one-half] one hour before the time set for the opening of the polls, in a sealed envelope, on which shall be written or printed the ballot scanner or ballot marking device serial number and location of the polling place, as reported by the voting machine custodian. The envelope containing the keys shall not be opened until at least one inspector from each of the two parties shall be present in the polling place and shall have examined the envelope to see that it has not been opened. Before opening the envelope, such election inspectors present shall examine the serial number on the machine, and shall see if they are the same as the numbers written on the envelope containing the keys. If found not to agree, the envelope must not be opened until the voting machine custodian, or other authorized person, shall have been notified and shall have arrived at the polling place for the purpose of re-examining such machine and shall certify that it is properly arranged. If the serial number on the machine is found to agree with the number on the envelope, the inspectors, except as hereinafter
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08676-01-9
A. 4604 2
provided, shall turn on the machine. The inspectors shall carefully examine the printed record produced by the machine to see that each counter registers zero, and shall allow watchers to examine the printed record. The inspectors shall then sign a certificate showing the delivery of the keys in a sealed envelope, the serial number on the machine, the number registered on the protective counter, that all the counters are set at zero and that the public counter is set at zero. The machine shall remain secured against voting until the polls are formally opened and shall not be operated except by voters when voting or by election officials upon the instructions of the board of elections. If any counter is found not to register zero, the inspectors of election shall immediately notify the board of elections.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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.