BILL NUMBER: S1098
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the town law, in relation to requiring polls for special
town elections to open on otherwise scheduled general election days
 
PURPOSE:
To hold special elections in towns in the state on otherwise scheduled
general election days
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 82 of the town law to specify that special town
elections occur on otherwise scheduled general election days.
Section 2 establishes the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Under the state's current election laws, special elections can be called
in towns by a regular process that requires town boards to set the date,
time, and place of said elections. This creates situations such as one
seen in the Town of Manlius where a special election was held on Septem-
ber 23, 2023, only a few weeks before the general election. It has been
the goal of New York State to streamline and reduce the number of
elections voters are asked to participate in, such as consolidating the
state's two primaries. This bill is another small step in that direction
by simply moving town elections to a voting most New Yorkers have become
accustomed to.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S7855 (May)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S1098: 82 town law