BILL NUMBER: S8827A
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring any student
graduating from a high school in New York state be provided with a voter
registration form
 
PURPOSE:
This bill will require the state board of education and local boards of
elections to provide graduating high school students with a voter regis-
tration application and information.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: The election law is amended by adding a new section; § 5-232
Section 2: Act and effective date.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Although school districts throughout the state of New York organize
voter registration drives and provide information regarding how and
where to register to vote, there is no statutory requirement under New
York state law for school districts in the state to provide eligible
students matriculated within a school district with:
(1) information regarding their eligibility to pre-register to vote.
(2) information regarding where and how to register.
(3) information regarding where and how to vote.
(4) a voter registration application.
The intent of this legislation is to require the state board of educa-
tion in conjunction with local boards of elections to provide school
boards with information materials and voter registration applications to
graduating high school students of voting age to register for general
elections, and to those who are eligible to pre-register to vote in
primary elections, for local, statewide, or federal elections.
In order for democracy to thrive, it is critical that all eligible citi-
zens participate in the right to franchise. In the state of New York,
voter registration is instrumental in ensuring all those who are eligi-
ble to vote can vote.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become law.