What's happening
This bill requires county boards of elections to post sample ballots online in accessible formats before elections.
Why it matters
Improves election transparency and voter preparedness. by ensuring sample ballots are easily accessible online, so voters can review ballot content, candidate names, and contest details before arriving at the polls.
Increases accessibility for voters with disabilities. by requiring that sample ballots be made available in formats compatible with computer screen-reading programs, supporting equitable access to election information.
Modernizes election information sharing. by mandating electronic transmission of ballot data from county boards to the state board and establishing a centralized system for publishing this information on both state and county election websites.
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
Post Ballot Info Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by A163
- Ordered to third reading cal.1125
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to elections
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.
Post Ballot Info Online
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1590
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sens. SANDERS, BAILEY, BROOKS, KRUEGER, ORTT, SEPULVEDA -read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the posting of sample ballots on a board of elections website
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7-118 of the election law, as amended by chapter 157 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
§ 7-118. Ballots; facsimile and sample. The board of elections shall provide facsimile and sample ballots which shall be arranged in the form of a diagram showing such part of the face of the voting machine as shall be in use at that election. Such facsimile and sample ballots shall be either in full or reduced size and shall contain suitable illustrated directions for voting on the voting machine. Such facsimile ballots shall be mounted and displayed for public inspection at each polling place during election day. Sample ballots may be mailed by the board of elections to each eligible voter at least three days before the election, or in lieu thereof, a copy of such sample ballot may be published at least once within one week preceding the election in newspapers representing the major political parties. Each county board of elections shall transmit electronically in a format to be determined by the state board of elections, as it is available, a copy of the candidate and contest information contained on each of its ballot styles to the state board of elections. The state board shall create a system to allow such information to be made publicly available via its website, as well as the website of any county board of elections, and in such a way as to be accessible with a computer screen-reading program. One copy of such facsimile shall be sent to each school in the county, providing the ninth through the twelfth years of compulsory education, and in the city of New York to each such school in the city of New York, at least one
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00515-01-9
S. 1590 2
week before each general election for posting at a convenient place in such school. The board of elections shall also send a facsimile ballot to any other school requesting such a ballot.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring the posting of sample ballots on a board of elections website
Purpose
This bill requires the board of election to post a copy of a sample ballot, including electronically for use with a computer screen-reading program, on its website prior to each election as soon as the relevant information becomes available.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section 7-118 of the election law, as amended by chapter 157 of the laws of 1996.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
At times, election days can be hectic and confusing. Requiring a board of elections to post sample ballots, which it already is required to create, will expedite the voting process. Making this information avail- able on the a board of elections website, so that voters can see the layout and options ahead of time, will provide valuable information and can reduce waiting time at the polls.
Legislative history
2015-16: A.600 - Referred to Election Law; S.6522 - Referred to Elections 2013-14: A.996 - Referred to Election Law 2011-12: A.10769 - Referred to Election Law
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect January 1 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.