What's happening
This bill requires boards of elections to post special election details online and share information with local governments for wider public access.
Why it matters
Improves voter awareness and access. by mandating that boards of elections share clear, timely details about special elections—such as dates, hours, offices up for election, and polling site info—on their websites, making it easier for voters to find essential information.
Promotes broader and more equitable information dissemination. by requiring local governments and community boards to publish this election information on publicly accessible websites, apps, and even social networks, increasing the chances that all eligible voters will be informed regardless of how they access news.
Addresses gaps in current notification practices. , which often rely on newspaper notices that may not reach all constituents, especially younger or more digitally connected voters, thereby supporting higher voter turnout and greater civic participation in special elections.
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
Notify Voters About Special Elections
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by S211C
- Amended on third reading 837a
- Advanced to third reading cal.377
- 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.
Notify Voters About Special Elections
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Brian Benjamin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
837--A Cal. No. 377
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, JACOBSON, D'URSO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law -- reported from committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to voter notification of special elections
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 4-120 of the election law, as amended by chapter 359 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
1. The board of elections shall publish once in each of the two weeks preceding a general election, or a special or village election conducted by the board of elections, a notice specifying the day of the election, and the public officers to be voted for within such county, or any part thereof at such election. The board of elections shall, as soon as practicable, but not less than two weeks prior to any special election, prominently display on its website the date and hours of the election, the offices to be voted on in the county, part of a county, or the city of New York, and a link to any poll site information or poll location tools, where available. Such information shall also be made available to local governments, municipalities, and community boards for publication on any public-facing internet website, web application, web domain or digital application, including a social network or search engine, to the extent that such publication is practicable. If constitutional amendments, or questions are to be submitted to the voters of the state, the notice shall state that fact and that a copy of each such amendment or question may be obtained at the board of elections, by any voter. Such publication shall be in two newspapers published within the county. If the county contains a city or cities, at least one of such newspapers
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01752-06-9
A. 837--A 2
shall be published in the city, or the largest city, if there be more than one.
In the case of a village election, such publication shall be made in a newspaper of general circulation in such village and shall include an abstract of any proposition to be voted upon at such election.
§ 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.