What's happening
This bill requires at least one voting machine for every 1,400 registered voters at polling sites in New York City.
Why it matters
Addresses long wait times and voter access. By requiring a set minimum of voting machines per number of registered voters, the bill aims to reduce lines and delays at polling sites, which can discourage participation and disproportionately impact working people and those with limited time.
Standardizes election resources across large cities. The law would create a consistent baseline for voting equipment allocation in New York City, helping to ensure more equitable access to voting regardless of neighborhood or borough.
Targets historic under-resourcing issues. New York City has faced criticism for insufficient voting machines during past elections, leading to machine breakdowns and overcrowding. This measure seeks to prevent such logistical problems by mandating a clear minimum.
May require increased funding and logistical planning. Implementing this requirement could necessitate additional investment in voting equipment and maintenance, potentially prompting budgetary adjustments or reallocations within the city’s election administration.
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Who cares
Headline styles
More Voting Machines Required
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Require More Voting Machines
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
3939
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 21, 2019
Introduced by Sens. KRUEGER, LIU -- 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 total number of voting machines required at polling sites in cities with populations of one million or more
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 7-202-a to read as follows:
§ 7-202-a. Minimum number of voting machines required in cities with a population of one million or more. In cities with a population of one million or more the county board of elections shall provide a minimum of one voting machine for every one thousand four hundred registered voters.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01139-01-9
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 total number of voting machines required at polling sites in cities with populations of one million or more
Purpose or general idea of bill
To ensure that the Board of Elections provides enough voting machines at each polling site.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 requires that the Board of Elections provides at least one voting machine for every 1400 registered voters in cities with a popu- lation of one million or more.
Section 2 contains the effective date.
Justification
Voter turnout in New York is persistently low. In 2010, turnout for the general election in November was the lowest in the country. Many other states have implemented a variety of reforms making the process of voting significantly more convenient for voters that New York could benefit from. During the 2012 election, polling sites across New York City reported that a lack of working voting machines prevented them from being able to conduct efficient Election Day operations. Many voters did not vote due to long lines caused by the Board's failure to provide a sufficient number of voting machines.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.5607/A.3747 - Quart - Elections 2015-16: S.2737/A.4733 - Quart - Elections 2013-14: S.3970/A.4602 - Quart - Elections
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
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.