What's happening
This bill temporarily reduces by 25% the number of petition signatures required for designating candidates in New York State (excluding NYC) for 2019.
Why it matters
Makes it easier for candidates to get on the ballot. by lowering the number of petition signatures needed, which could encourage more people to run for office, especially those without established political backing.
Reduces campaign resource barriers. collecting signatures requires time, volunteers, and money; a 25% reduction means smaller or grassroots campaigns can more feasibly participate.
Responds to possible time or logistical challenges in 2019. , potentially due to weather, calendar changes, or other factors that could make signature collection unusually difficult that year.
Temporary and narrowly targeted. applies only for 2019 and only outside New York City, signaling this is a specific response (not a permanent change) and excludes the unique circumstances of NYC politics.
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
Reduce Petition Signatures 2019
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A2570
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.103
- 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.
Cut Petition Signature Requirements
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Billy Jones
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2862
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 30, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 the number of signatures for designating petitions in the year 2019
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6-136 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. Except for the city of New York and notwithstanding subdivision two of this section, for designations made by petition in the year two thousand nineteen, the signature requirement numbers stated in paragraphs (a) through (l) of subdivision two of this section shall be reduced by one-quarter, rounded down to the nearest whole number.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire December 31, 2019 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08717-01-9
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 the number of signa- tures for designating petitions in the year 2019
Purpose
To ensure ballot access for a variety of candidates for office due to the recent change in the primary election date.
Summary of provisions
Section one - adds new subdivisions 5 to § 5-136 of the election law to reduce the number of signatures required on designating petitions for all public offices to be filled in 2019 with the exception of New York City.
Justification
In 2009, Congress passed the Military and Overseas Voters Act (MOVE), which required a number of reforms to ensure military, federal workers and overseas voters had the opportunity to cast their ballot in a timely manner. In 2012, US District Judge Gary Sharpe ruled that New York State's September primary was in violation of the MOVE Act and subse- quently ordered the Federal Primary to be moved to the 4th Tuesday in June, leaving it to the legislature to determine when to hold State and local primaries. This left New York with two separate primaries: one for federal offices and one for state and local offices.
In 2019, after 8 years of impasse the legislature has passed legislation reunifying state, local and federal (non-presidential) primary elections to be held on the 4th Tuesday in June, effective immediately.
However, because of the imminent change in the political calendar neces- sary to meet the requirements for a June primary, candidates for local offices in 2019 are required to begin circulating designating petitions at the end of February 2019, rather than in mid-June, 2019.
This bill would temporarily reduce the number of signatures required for designating petitions by 1/4 for candidates running for office, with the exception of NYC, in 2019 to allow candidates to organize their campaigns, print their petitions and begin collecting voters' signatures after the change in the primary date.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire December 31, 2019 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.