What's happening
This bill updates ballot proposal formatting by allowing ovals, requiring double-sided ballot instructions, and clarifying proposal numbering.
Why it matters
Switching from voting levers to ovals or squares. modernizes ballot design, potentially making it easier for voters to understand and use current voting technology (like optical scanners), reducing confusion and errors.
Requiring clear, state-approved instructions for double-sided ballots. helps ensure voters know to check both sides, which can reduce the risk of missed votes on important proposals—an issue that has led to undercounts in other jurisdictions.
Standardizing the numbering and labeling of ballot proposals. (with explicit formats for amendments, propositions, and questions) creates greater transparency and consistency, which can make ballots easier to navigate and auditing more straightforward for election officials.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Clarify Ballot Proposal Layout
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- 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.
Clarify Ballot Proposal Instructions
Signed by Governor · Sponsor David Buchwald
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2428
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- 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 ballot proposals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7-110 of the election law, as amended by chapter 647 of the laws of 1982, is amended to read as follows:
§ 7-110. Ballots; form for ballot proposals. Ballot proposals shall appear on the voting machine or ballot in a separate section. At the left of, or below or above, each proposal shall appear two [voting levers or two] voting ovals or squares[, each at least one-half inch square]. Next to the first [lever or square] shall be printed the word "Yes," and next to the second [lever or square] shall be printed the word "No." The proposals shall be numbered consecutively on the voting machine or ballot. The number of each proposal shall appear in front of its designation as an amendment, proposition or question in the following form: "Proposal one, an amendment; proposal two, a proposition; proposal three, a question". If the ballot proposal section appears on the ballot face opposite the candidates, a ballot instruction in a format provided by the state board of elections, which may include a graphic arrow, shall indicate the ballot is two-sided.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the fifteenth of December next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01045-01-9
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 ballot proposals
Purpose or general idea of bill
To better inform voters as to important ballot questions when a ballot is two sided.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill amends section 7-110 of the election law to provide clear instructions to voters if the ballot is two-sided.
Justification
It is almost always necessary to place ballot questions on the side of the ballot opposite the side of the ballot where candidates appear. This bill ensures voters are appropriately informed when their ballot is a two-sided ballot.
Prior legislative history
A. 9923 of 2018, Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
None
Effects on fines,terms of imprisonment and other penal sanctions
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the fifteenth day of December after it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.