What's happening
This bill allows judicial district conventions in New York to be held fully or partially via video conference with proper notice.
Why it matters
Expands accessibility and participation. By enabling judicial district conventions to be held virtually or in a hybrid format, more committee members—including those with mobility, health, or travel barriers—can participate in the selection of judicial candidates.
Modernizes election procedures. This change aligns the convention process with current technology and remote work trends, potentially making the process more efficient and resilient to disruptions (e.g., public health emergencies or extreme weather).
Includes fairness and transparency safeguards. The bill requires clear notice and instructions for accessing video conferences, and mandates that all eligible participants have equitable opportunities to hear, be heard, and engage—helping ensure that remote conventions are as participatory as in-person ones.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Virtual Judicial Conventions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1120
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, LUNSFORD, LUPARDO, SIMON, McDONOUGH, DAVILA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to allowing a judicial district convention to be conducted in whole or in part via video conference
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6-126 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. A judicial district convention may be conducted in whole or in part via video conference upon a minimum of seventy-two hours notice to the members of the respective committee by mail, an appropriately titled email, text or telephone call at an address or number expressly provided in writing for the purpose of receiving such notices. Such notice shall include instructions to participants on how to access the meeting by such video conference. Where the convention is held in whole or in part via video conference, the presiding officer shall afford a fair and appropriate opportunity for persons eligible to attend to listen, hear, and be heard, in a manner similar to that which would be afforded if the meeting were held in person.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02368-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.