BILL NUMBER: S8116REVISED 5/1/2024
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to enrollment eligibility
for election officials in the address confidentiality program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
In relation to enrollment eligibility for election officials in the
address confidentiality program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the opening paragraph of section 108 of the executive
law to authorize election officers to apply for the address confiden-
tiality program.
Section two amends clause (A) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of
subdivision 2 and subdivision 3 of section 108 of the executive law to
oblige the secretary of state to designate county board of elections to
assist election officers in applying for the address confidentiality
program.
Section three amends subdivision 1 of section 108 of the executive law
to designate an election officer as having the same meaning as set forth
in section 1-104 of the election law.
Section four amends clause (B) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of
subdivision 2 of section 108 of the executive law to exempt election
officers from being required to leave their previous homes in order to
qualify for the address confidentiality program.
Section five amends subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2
of section 108 of the executive law to include election officers on the
list of those who qualify for the address confidentiality program.
Section six provides the immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Following the 2020 elections, national political figures attempted to
delegitimize and deny the results of the election. Because of these
efforts, significant attention turned to state and local election offi-
cials from both parties who upheld the integrity of the election
results. One month after the 2020 election, a New York Times report
documented chilling threats of death or violence aimed at state election
officials, local election supervisors, and voting machine technicians.
Threats aimed at election officials have continued beyond 2020. In 2021,
a Reuters report documented more than 100 threats of death or violence
that targeted election workers and officials. These threats have taken a
toll on election officials throughout the country, and a report released
by the California Voter Foundation found that trauma, stress, and anxie-
ty were - frequently experienced by those targeted by threats. Addi-
tionally, a survey conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice, found
that one in five election officials are considering leaving their roles
by 2024, in light of increasing threats and harassment. The loss of
election officials who safeguard the integrity of elections would put
further strain on future elections in New York State.
Considering the crucial role that election officials play in maintaining
the integrity of our democracy, this legislation aims to better protect
the safety of election officials and their families by allowing such
officials to apply for the address confidentiality program.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8116: 108 executive law, 108(1) executive law, 108(2) executive law