What's happening
This bill amends election law to update primary ballot requirements and implement the Voter Friendly Ballot Act starting July 1, 2020.
Why it matters
Removes certain ballot requirements. the bill repeals existing provisions related to the form of primary election ballots, such as the use of color and possibly other formatting elements, which could lead to ballots that are easier to read and less confusing for voters.
Clarifies legal challenges. by removing “color” from the list of contestable ballot elements, this bill narrows the grounds on which candidates or party officials can challenge ballots, potentially reducing litigation over ballot design minutiae.
Delays implementation of ballot reforms. the Voter Friendly Ballot Act, which seeks to make ballots simpler and more accessible, will now take effect on July 1, 2020, instead of immediately, giving election officials more time to prepare and update ballots accordingly.
Enables smooth transition. the bill authorizes immediate adoption or repeal of rules and regulations necessary to implement these changes by the effective date, aiming to ensure that election administration adapts without delays or confusion.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Ballot Color Requirement
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.66
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 40–21
- 3rd reading cal.904
- Substituted for S5839
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.458
- 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.
Remove Ballot Color Requirement
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7606
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 13, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the form of primary election ballots; to amend a chapter of the laws of 2019, amending the election law relating to enacting the voter friendly ballot act, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2300-A and A. 2682-A, in relation to the effectiveness thereof; and repealing certain provisions of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (h) of subdivision 2 of section 7-114 of the election law is REPEALED.
§ 2. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section 7-114 of the election law, as amended by a chapter of the laws of 2019, amending the election law relating to enacting the voter friendly ballot act, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2300-A and A. 2682-A, is REPEALED.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 16-104 of the election law is amended to read as follows:
1. The form and content of any ballot, or portion thereof, to be used in an election, and the right to use any emblem design, [color,] party or independent body name, may be contested in a proceeding instituted in the supreme court by any aggrieved candidate or by the chairman of any party committee or independent body.
§ 4. Section 17 of a chapter of the laws of 2019, amending the election law relating to enacting the voter friendly ballot act, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2300-A and A. 2682-A, is amended to read as follows:
§ 17. This act shall take effect [immediately] July 1, 2020 and shall apply to ballots to be used for elections occurring on or after [the first day of July next succeeding the year in which it shall have become a law] such effective date. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11682-01-9
A. 7606 2
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that sections one and three of this act shall take effect January 1, 2020; and provided further that section two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2019, amending the election law relating to enacting the voter friendly ballot act, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2300-A and A. 2682-A, takes effect.
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.