What's happening
This bill requires hand counting of all ballots in elections where the margin between candidates is ten votes or less, or 0.5% of votes cast, whichever is greater.
Why it matters
Increases the accuracy of close election results. By mandating a hand count in very tight races, the bill aims to reduce the possibility of machine errors affecting the outcome, which can be especially meaningful in elections decided by very small margins.
Builds voter confidence in election integrity. Requiring a manual count in razor-thin contests offers an extra layer of transparency and assurance to candidates and the public that every vote was correctly tallied.
Could affect the speed and cost of finalizing results. Hand counting is more labor-intensive and time-consuming than relying solely on machines, which may delay the certification of results and require additional resources, especially in jurisdictions unaccustomed to manual recounts.
Applies broadly to all types of elections. The bill covers general, special, and primary elections, ensuring that these protections for close races are consistent across different electoral contexts, regardless of the office or party involved.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Hand Count Close Elections
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-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.
Hand Count Close Election Votes
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Michael Gianaris
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8377
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the hand counting of all ballots cast in an election for a position in which the difference in the ballots cast for the candidates for such position is ten or less votes or .5 percent of votes cast, whichever is greater
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 9-208 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. If upon the original canvass of the results of any general, special or primary election the difference in ballots cast for the candidates for any position is ten or less votes, or .5 percent of the ballots cast for such position, whichever shall be greater; the recanvass of ballots cast for such position, pursuant to subdivision one of this section, shall require the board of elections or bipartisan committee to count all ballots cast for such position by hand, including those ballots scanned by a ballot scanner.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to elections conducted on or after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03999-01-9
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.