What's happening
This bill requires individuals nominated to serve on committees to formally accept their nomination in writing for it to be valid.
Why it matters
Ensures nominated committee members actively consent to serve. by requiring a signed, notarized certificate of acceptance, reducing the risk of appointing unwilling or unaware individuals to important roles.
Adds a clear deadline for formal acceptance. (no later than four days after the petition filing period), which helps parties and officials finalize committee memberships efficiently and avoid last-minute confusion.
Improves transparency and accountability in the nomination process. , making it easier to verify who has agreed to serve and preventing disputes or challenges about committee legitimacy later on.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Committee Nominees Must Accept
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A5219
- Ordered to third reading cal.1774
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 5180a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Accept Committee Nominations Quickly
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Sandy Galef
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5180--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 12, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAYER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to certificates of acceptance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6-166 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. Individuals nominated to serve on the committee to receive notices, shall, in a certificate signed and acknowledged by him or her, and filed as provided in this article, accept the nomination of the committee, otherwise such nomination shall be null and void. All certificates of acceptance shall be filed not later than the fourth day after the last day to file petitions for the opportunity to ballot.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06037-03-9
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 certificates of acceptance
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this legislation is to preclude identity theft on Oppor- tunity to Ballot Petition (OTBP).
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Section 6-166 of the Election Law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows: 3. Individuals nominated to serve on the committee to receive notices, shall, in a certificate signed and acknowledged by him or her, and filed as provided in this article, accept the nomination of the committee, otherwise such nomination shall be null and void. All certificates of acceptance shall be filed not later than the fourth day after the last day to file petitions for the opportunity ballot.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
This portion of this memorandum is not applicable at this time.
Justification
This legislation requires that every OTBP submitted to the Board of Elections be accompanied by a Certificate of Acceptance completed by those appointed on the petition to the 'committee to receive notices'. Because there is no name of a candidate on the OTBP, this additional requirement is essential. New York State law requires candidates to sign a Certificate of Acceptance to be on the ballot, and the same law should apply to those appointed to the committee to Receive Notices on an OTBP. These petitions are commonly circulated by political candidates under the ballot line of a political party's endorsement. Individuals selected to serve on the 'committees to receive notices' are not required to sign any formal acceptance letter stating their intentions, their understand- ing of the responsibility before them, or that their name on the peti- tion is actually calling for a primary.
It is imperative that those appointed on the OTBP as the 'committee to receive notices' are aware that they hold this position. At this time, unbeknownst to them, an individual could be named as part of the 'committee to receive notices.' Should this happen, and a person discov- ered that they are on this committee, the only way they could address the submission is to take formal legal action in court, costing thou- sands of dollars.
This legislation addresses this concern by mandating that each member of the Committee to Receive Notices submit, with the OTBP, a signed Certif- icate of Acceptance (accepting the position).
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.