What's happening
This bill allows election inspectors and poll clerks to work split shifts, with rules to ensure bipartisan presence and clear denial procedures.
Why it matters
Expands staffing flexibility. By allowing election inspectors and poll clerks to work split shifts, the bill could help address staffing shortages, reduce worker fatigue, and make it easier for people with other obligations (like jobs or caregiving) to participate in running elections.
Maintains bipartisan oversight. The requirement that at least one inspector from each of the two major political parties always be present ensures continued bipartisan monitoring of polling sites, which is key for election transparency and trust.
Adds accountability for shift denials. Mandating that county boards set clear rules—including specific reasons—for denying split shift requests provides transparency and consistency, potentially reducing favoritism or arbitrary decisions in staffing.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Split Shifts for Poll Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- 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.
Allow Split Shifts for Poll Workers
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Dan Quart
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2275
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- 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 split shifts for election inspectors or poll clerks
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 3-400 of the election law, as amended by chapter 293 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
7. The board of elections may employ election inspectors or poll clerks to work split shifts with adjusted compensation, provided, however, that there shall not be a time when the poll site is open that there is not at least one inspector from each of the two major political parties [is] present [at the poll site for the entire time that the polls are open]. Each county board of elections shall prescribe the necessary rules and procedures to ensure proper poll site operation, including rules detailing the basis on which a request by an election inspector or poll clerk to work a split shift may be denied.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01361-01-9
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 split shifts for election inspectors or poll clerks
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow poll clerks to work half-day shifts on Election Day.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 7 of § 3-400 of the Election Law to allow for half-day Election Day shifts for poll clerks.
Section 2 contains the effective date.
Justification
Poll worker recruitment is notoriously difficult. Very few voters are willing or able to devote an entire 16 hour day to serving as a poll worker, however, a less time-consuming commitment could improve recruit- ment efforts. The Board of Elections is permitted to appoint election inspectors for 8 hour shifts. This permission should be extended to poll clerks, as well.
Prior legislative history
S.5934 of 2017-2018 (Hoylman): Died in Elections
A.4257 of 2017-2018 (Quart): Died in Election Law New bill in the Senate.
2015-2016: A2052 referred to Elections
2013-2014: A4670 referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This bill would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.