What's happening
This bill allows Westchester County to accept candidate petitions until midnight on the last filing day, extending office hours.
Why it matters
Improves access for candidates and campaigns. By extending the filing deadline to midnight, the bill gives candidates more time to gather signatures and prepare paperwork, which can be especially helpful for grassroots campaigns or those with limited resources.
Modernizes and aligns with NYC practices. The change brings Westchester County in line with New York City's existing election law, where the Board of Elections already stays open until midnight on filing day, promoting consistency and fairness across major jurisdictions.
Reduces risk of disqualification for technicalities. The extended office hours can help prevent candidates from being disqualified due to late filings caused by unforeseen delays, such as traffic or last-minute signature collection.
May increase participation and competition. Easier filing logistics could encourage more people to run for office or support candidates, potentially leading to more competitive and representative local elections in Westchester County.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Extend Petition Filing Hours
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.439
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.370
- Substituted for A349A
- Referred to election law
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–2
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.373
Show 1 earlier action
- 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.
Extend Petition Filing Hours
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4264
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 5, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STEWART-COUSINS -- 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 filing of papers in the county of Westchester
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1-106 of the election law, as amended by chapter 5 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
1. All papers required to be filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall, unless otherwise provided, be filed between the hours of nine A.M. and five P.M. On the last day of filing in the county of Westchester, petitions of designation or nomination shall be filed between the hours of nine A.M. and midnight and such board of elections office shall be open to receive such petitions during the hours herein specified. If the last day for filing shall fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the next business day shall become the last day for filing. All papers sent by mail in an envelope postmarked prior to midnight of the last day of filing shall be deemed timely filed and accepted for filing when received, except that all certificates and petitions of designation or nomination, certificates of acceptance or declination of such designations or nominations, certificates of authorization for such designations or nominations, certificates of disqualification, certificates of substitution for such designations or nominations and objections and specifications of objections to such certificates and petitions required to be filed with the state board of elections or a board of elections outside of the city of New York shall be deemed timely filed and accepted for filing if sent by mail or overnight delivery service pursuant to subdivision three of this section, and received no later than two business days after the last day to file such certificates, petitions, objections or specifications. Failure of the post office or any other person or entity to deliver any such peti-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03711-02-9
S. 4264 2
tion, certificate or objection to such board of elections outside the city of New York no later than two business days after the last day to file such certificates, petitions, objections or specifications shall be a fatal defect. Excepted further that all certificates and petitions of designation or nomination, certificates of acceptance or declination of such designations and nominations, certificates of substitution for such designations or nominations and objections and specifications of objections to such certificates and petitions required to be filed with the board of elections of the city of New York must be actually received by such city board of elections on or before the last day to file any such petition, certificate or objection and such office shall be open for the receipt of such petitions, certificates and objections until midnight on the last day to file any such petition, certificate or objection. Failure of the post office or any other person or entity to deliver any such petition, certificate or objection to such city board of elections on or before such last day shall be a fatal defect.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 filing of papers in the county of Westchester
Purpose or general idea of bill
This act creates a provision requiring Westchester county the board of elections stay open until midnight on the last day of a filing period.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Adds new language creating a Westchester county provision to have the board of elections open until midnight on the last day of a filing period.
Justification
During the 2013 election cycle, a legal challenge was brought against the Westchester County Board of Elections for staying open and receiving petitions after 5 P.M. Under current law, all documents must be received between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M, except in New York City where the Board of Elections is required to stay open until midnight. Traditionally, the Westchester County Board of Elections has opted to stay open until 11 P.M. on the last day of a filing period. This legislation creates a new provision for Westchester in codifying the additional hours which petitions can be received, modifying the law to match the desire of the county.
Legislative history
A.461 of 2017 and 2018, referred to election law. A.138 of 2015 and 2016, passed assembly. A.9244-B of 2014, passed in the assembly. Same as S.7005-B of 2014, referred to elections.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.