BILL NUMBER: S570
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to the removal of an
election commissioner
 
PURPOSE:
To ensure greater independence and accountability in the administration
of New York's elections.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 7 of section 3-200 of the Election Law.
Section 2: sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State's elections are administered at the county level by
bipartisan commissioners. These commissioners are appointed by county
legislative bodies, on the recommendation of party committees. This
legislation will provide the State Board of Elections with the ability
to remove commissioners in the rare instance where they violate or
neglect their duties or the state's election laws. The State Board of
Elections is itself a bipartisan body involved in day-to-day oversight
of elections and has greater experience with election administration
than the Governor's office, where removal powers are currently lodged.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022 - S.8337 (May)
2023-2024 - S585 (May)/A9162 (Gallagher)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S570: 3-200 election law, 3-200(7) election law