BILL NUMBER: S2405
SPONSOR: MYRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to establishing an elec-
tronic military ballot application and military ballot transmittal
system
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to allow members of the military with a
Common Access Card (CAC) to digitally submit a ballot request form, and
to complete, sign and return an absentee ballot electronically.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the election law by adding a new section 10-110 requir-
ing that the state board of elections establish and maintain an elec-
tronic military ballot application and military ballot transmittal
system, allowing applicants to apply for and return a marked military
ballot online.
Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 10-107 of the election law as
added by chapter 104 of the laws of 2010 which provides that regardless
of the form the military voter receives their ballot in, it must be
returned either by mail, by the electronic transmittal system estab-
lished in section 10-110, or in person.
Section 3 amends section 10-112 of the election law as amended by chap-
ter 104 of the laws of 2010 which establishes that a military voter has
the option to utilize the electronic military ballot application and
military ballot transmittal system and sign such ballots with their
digital signature as provided for in section 10-110.
Section 4 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The purpose of this legislation is to make it easier and more efficient
for military voters stationed overseas to receive, complete and return
their ballot. Currently, a military voter may register to vote electron-
ically and may receive an absentee ballot electronically, but they
cannot sign their ballot with an electronic signature and return it via
email. This is just one way to alleviate the burden on service member's
lives while ensuring that they are not disenfranchised or discouraged
from voting due to an overcomplicated system, or unavailable equipment
(such as a scanner and fax machine). This legislation will also likely
ensure a more timely return on absentee ballots from service members
stationed overseas.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S333 of 2021-22: Referred to Elections.
S6894 of 2019-20: Referred to Elections.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as
part CCC of chapter 55 of the laws of 2019 takes effect.

Statutes affected:
S2405: 10-107 election law, 10-107(2) election law, 10-112 election law