BILL NUMBER: S1035
SPONSOR: MYRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to mandatory training
curriculum for election commissioners and key staff of boards of
elections
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to ensure consistent training of election
commissioners by the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE).
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the election law by adding a new section 3-213 which
requires election commissioners, and other staff as determined by
NYSBOE, to complete a course of instruction within 6 months of their
appointment. It also requires election commissioners, and other desig-
nated staff, to complete continuing education on an annual basis. The
State Board may provide the training in the format it desires including
in a web-based format. Failure to complete the required training would
result in a letter from the Board to the County legislature or City
Council and respective party chair citing the delinquency of training.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Election commissioners serve a vital role in safeguarding the electoral
processes. Therefore, they must be adequately trained to effectively
fulfill this role. This bill would require the NYSBOE to create a manda-
tory uniform training program. This ensures that all commissioners
across New York State are provided with the same baseline training. The
NYSBOE and county election commissioners generally maintain very close
working relationships and jointly engage in informal training workshops
at the New York State Election Commissioners Association conferences
held each winter and summer. Feedback from those conferences indicates
mutual interest in a more general training program as well.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S617 of 2023-24: Passed Senate.
S263 of 2021-22: Passed Senate.
S5417 of 2019-20: Referred to Elections.
S6006 of 2017-18: Referred to Elections.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.