BILL NUMBER: S617
SPONSOR: MYRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to mandatory training
curriculum for election commissioners and key staff of boards of
elections
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to ensure consistent training of election
commissioners by the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE).
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 requires election commissioners, and other staff as determined
by NYSBOE, to complete a course of instruction within 6 months of their
appointment. It also requires election commissioners, and other desig-
nated staff, to complete continuing education on an annual basis. The
State Board may provide the training in the format it desires including
in a web-based format. Failure to complete the required training would
result in a letter from the Board to the County legislature or City
Council and respective party chair citing the delinquency of training.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Election commissioners serve a vital role in safeguarding the electoral
processes. Therefore, it is imperative they are adequately trained to
effectively fulfill this role. This bill would require the NYSBOE to
create a mandatory uniform training program. This ensures that all
commissioners across New York State are provided with the same baseline
training.The NYSBOE and county election commissioners generally maintain
very close working relationships and jointly engage in informal training
workshops at the New York State Election Commissioners Association
conferences held each winter and summer. Feedback from those confer-
ences indicates mutual interest in a more general training program as
well.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S263 of 2021-22: Passed Senate
S5417 of 2019-20: Referred to Elections
S6006 of 2017-18: Referred to Elections
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.