What's happening
This bill removes the requirement for a sworn statement before a notary public for petition signatures, replacing it with an identity verification process.
Why it matters
Reduces barriers for petition signers and witnesses. by removing the requirement for signers to swear an oath before a notary, potentially making the signature collection process more accessible and less intimidating for ordinary voters.
Shifts the notary’s role from administering a sworn oath to verifying identity. , placing emphasis on checking that each petitioner matches voter information provided by the board of elections, which may help modernize and streamline signature validation.
May address concerns about fraud and accuracy differently. instead of relying on sworn statements (which carry legal penalties for perjury), the process now focuses on confirming identities against official records, possibly changing how disputes and challenges regarding petition signatures are handled.
Could speed up and simplify the petitioning process for campaigns and grassroots groups. , allowing them to gather signatures more efficiently and potentially increasing political participation or competition.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Notary For Petitions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
543
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to removing the requirement of a sworn statement administered by a notary public for purposes of petitions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 6-132 of the election law, as amended by chapter 106 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
3. In lieu of the signed statement of a witness who is a duly qualified voter of the state, the following statement signed by a notary public or commissioner of deeds shall be accepted:
On the dates above indicated before me personally came each of the voters whose signatures appear on this petition sheet containing ............. (fill in number) signatures, who signed same in my presence [and who, being by me duly sworn, each for himself or herself, said that the foregoing statement made and subscribed by him or her, was true] after inquiry as to whether the person is the same person that is listed at that address on information provided by the board of elections to the notary public or commissioner of deeds. Date:..................
.............................
(Signature and official title
of officer administering oath)
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 6-140 of the election law, as amended by chapter 106 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
2. In lieu of the signed statement of a witness who is a duly qualified voter of the state, the following statement signed by a notary public or commissioner of deeds shall be accepted:
On the dates above indicated before me personally came each of the voters whose signatures appear on this petition sheet containing
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02144-01-5
.......... (fill in number) signatures, who signed same in my presence [and who, being by me duly sworn, each for himself or herself, said that the foregoing statement made and subscribed by him or her, was true] after inquiry as to whether the person is the same person that is listed at that address on information provided by the board of elections to the notary public or commissioner of deeds. Date: ......................
................................
(Signature and official title
of officer administering oath)
§ 3. The closing paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 6-204 of the election law, as separately amended by chapters 106 and 176 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
In lieu of the signed statement of a witness who is a duly qualified voter of the state qualified to sign the petition, the following statement signed by a notary public shall be accepted:
On the dates above indicated before me personally came each of the voters whose signatures appear on this petition sheet containing ............. (fill in number) signatures, who signed same in my presence [and who, being by me duly sworn, each for himself or herself, said that the foregoing statement made and subscribed by him or her, was true] after inquiry as to whether the person is the same person that is listed at that address on information provided by the board of elections to the notary public or commissioner of deeds. Date..................
...............................
(Signature and official title
of officer administering oath)
Page No........
§ 4. Subdivision 2 of section 6-206 of the election law, as amended by chapter 447 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
2. In lieu of the signed statement of a witness who is a duly qualified voter of the state qualified to sign the petition, the following statement signed by a notary public shall be accepted:
On the dates above indicated before me personally came each of the voters whose signatures appear on this petition sheet containing ............. (fill in number) signatures, who signed same in my presence [and who, being by me duly sworn, each for himself or herself, said that the foregoing statement made and subscribed by him or her, was true] after inquiry as to whether the person is the same person that is listed at that address on information provided by the board of elections to the notary public or commissioner of deeds.
Date:..................
...............................
(Signature and official title
of officer administering oath)
Page No........
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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