BILL NUMBER: S566
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:
To permit enrollment in the address confidentiality program for election
officers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the opening paragraph of section 108 of the executive
law to authorize election officers to apply for the address confiden-
tiality program.
Section 2: 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 a county board of elections
to assist election officers in applying for the address confidentiality
program.
Section 3: 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 4: Amends clause (B) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of
subdivision 2 of section 108 of the executive law exempts election offi-
cers from being required to leave their previous homes in order to qual-
ify for the address confidentiality program.
Section 5: Amends subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of
section 108 of the executive law to include election officers in the
list of those who qualify for the address confidentiality program.
Section 6: Sets effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Following the 2020 elections, national political figures attempted to
delegitimize and deny the election results. Because of these efforts,
significant attention turned to state and local election officials from
both parties who upheld the integrity of the election results. One
month after the 2020 election, a New York Times report documented chill-
ing.'- 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 those targeted by threats
frequently experienced trauma, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, a
Brennan Center for Justice survey found that one in five election offi-
cials are considering leaving their roles by 2024 in light of increasing
threats and harassment. The loss of election officials who safeguard
elections' integrity would further strain 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 protect better
the safety of election officials and their families by allowing such
officials to apply for the address confidentiality program.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2023: N/A
2024: S8116, Advanced to Third Reading
Assembly
2023: A3240, Referred to Governmental Operations
2024: A3240, Referred to Governmental Operations
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
NONE.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

Statutes affected:
S566: 108 executive law, 108(1) executive law, 108(2) executive law