What's happening
This bill allows New York voters to update their address or party affiliation closer to an election—ten and twenty-five days before, respectively.
Why it matters
Increases flexibility for voters who move. By allowing address updates as late as ten days before an election, the bill helps ensure more voters can cast ballots at their correct polling place, potentially reducing confusion and provisional ballot use.
Enables timely participation in party primaries. Voters can now change party enrollment up to twenty-five days before any primary, special, or general election, making it easier for people to participate in the party primary of their choice as their political preferences evolve.
Reduces administrative lag on party changes. Removes the previous requirement that party enrollment changes be "sealed" and deferred until after the general election, meaning changes are now processed and reflected in the voter rolls before the upcoming election, leading to more accurate records.
Modernizes voter roll management. The bill aligns New York’s election procedures more closely with those of other states that allow late updates, potentially improving voter satisfaction and trust in the system.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Voter Address Deadline
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Let Voters Update Address
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Sandy Galef
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 591 A. 284
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. GALEF, DICKENS, BLAKE, GOTTFRIED, D'URSO, SEAWRIGHT, HYNDMAN, NIOU -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing the provision of notice of a change of address ten days before an election and authorizing the change of party affiliation within twenty-five days of an election
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 5-208 of the election law, as added by chapter 659 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
3. If such a notice is received at least [twenty] ten days before a primary, special or general election, such change of address must be completed before such election.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 5-304 of the election law, as amended by chapter 90 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
3. A change of enrollment received by the board of elections not later than the twenty-fifth day before [the] a primary, special or general election shall be [deposited in a sealed enrollment box, which shall not be opened until the first Tuesday following such general election. Such change of enrollment shall be then removed and] entered before such election as provided in this article.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01950-01-9
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 authorizing the provision of notice of a change of address ten days before an election and authorizing the change of party affiliation within twenty-five days of an election
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this legislation is to allow a registered voter to change their address up to 10 days before an election, and to allow the change of party affiliation within 25 days of an election.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 5-208 of the Election Law is amended as follows: Change of address must be received 10 days (previously 20) before an election.
Section 2. Subdivision 3 of section 5-304 of the Election Law is amended as follows: A change of enrollment received by the board of elections not later than the twenty-fifth day before a primary, special or general election shall be entered before such election as provided in this arti- cle.
Section 3. Establishes the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
This section is not applicable at this time.
Justification
Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and a democracy is only as strong as the level of participation among the populace. Extending the deadline for voters to change their address or party affiliation is an important step in improving voting in New York State.
The legislation would allow people to change their address on their voter registration up to 10 days before a primary, special or general election, expanding the deadline by 10 days.
Lastly, this legislation allows voters the opportunity to change their party affiliation 25 days before a primary, special or general election, where the current deadline is 25 days before the General Election. Current law just applies to the general election.
Prior legislative history
S. 7763 and A. 10018 of 2017/2018
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
There are no fiscal implications associated with the passage of this legislation.
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.