What's happening
This bill temporarily changes the required number of signatures for certain election petitions outside New York City, Erie, and Nassau counties.
Why it matters
Temporarily lowers the signature threshold to 3.75% of enrolled party voters. (excluding those with inactive status) for most election petitions in areas outside New York City, Erie, and Nassau counties. This could make it easier for candidates to qualify for the ballot in these regions.
Excludes certain party positions. (such as ward, town, city, or county committee members) from the reduced signature requirement, keeping the standard process for these local party roles.
Aligns with other temporary reductions. already in effect (specifically those from chapter seventeen of the laws of 2019), ensuring consistency in how signature requirements are reduced across affected areas.
Includes a sunset provision. , meaning these changes are only in effect until December 31, 2019, after which the rules revert to their previous form—so the impact is specifically targeted to one election cycle or a particular need.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Petition Signature Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A5979A
- Ordered to third reading cal.255
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Change Petition Signature Rules
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Billy Jones
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4350
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 8, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BRESLIN -- 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 signatures for designating petitions for certain political subdivisions; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
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 5 to read as follows:
5. Notwithstanding subdivision two of this section, for designating petitions for political subdivisions outside the city of New York and the counties of Erie and Nassau, except for the position of member of ward, town, city or county committee, such petitions must be signed by not less than three and three-quarters per centum, as determined by the preceding enrollment, of the then enrolled voters of the party residing within the political unit in which the office or position is to be voted for (excluding voters in inactive status). The reductions provided by subdivision four of this section, as added by chapter seventeen of the laws of two thousand nineteen, shall also apply.
§ 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.
LBD10192-06-9
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 signatures for desig- nating petitions for certain political subdivisions; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
To ensure ballot access for a variety of candidates for office due to the recent change in the primary election date.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 2 of § 6-136 of the election law to reduce the minimum petition signature requirement for all public offices to be filled in 2019, with the exception of offices in New York City, Nassau and Erie Counties to 3.75 percent of the enrolled voters of the party residing within the political unit in which the office or position is to be voted for.
Section two is the effective date
Justification
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 f or 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, and Nassau and Erie Counties, in 2019 to allow candi- dates to organize their campaigns, print their petitions, and begin collecting voters' signatures after the change in the primary date.
Fiscal impact on the state
None.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
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.