BILL NUMBER: S1297
SPONSOR: BORRELLO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the tax law, the real property tax law and the vehicle
and traffic law, in relation to enacting the "taxpayer voter registra-
tion act"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to enable individuals to register to
vote when filing their income tax returns, paying their property taxes,
or filing a real estate transfer tax return.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 names the bill the "taxpayer voter registration act."
Section 2 requires all State income tax returns to allow the taxpayer to
register to vote by checking a box on the return and providing the rele-
vant registration information.
Section 3 requires that all property tax bills to allow the taxpayer to
register to vote by checking a box on the return and providing the rele-
vant registration information.
Section 4 requires all real estate transfer returns to allow the taxpay-
er to register to vote by checking a box on the return and providing the
relevant registration information.
Section 5 requires the tax department to transmit to the state board of
elections and the state board of elections to transmit to the local
boards of election relevant voter registration information, including an
electronic signature if available. It also requires the state board of
elections to follow-up with the taxpayer to verify the necessary regis-
tration information.
Section 6 requires the department of motor vehicles to provide an elec-
tronic version of an individual's signature to the state board of
elections upon request.
Section 7 makes the bill effective one year after it becomes law and
authorizes the state board of elections to make necessary regulations to
implement the provisions of this bill.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Although the motor-voter provisions have significantly helped increase
the number of registered voters, there is still a need to reach out to
new potential voters. This legislation would enable people to register
to vote every year when they interact with the state department of taxa-
tion and finance, pay their property-taxes, or transfer residential real
property.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S680/A6037 Referred to Budget and Revenue
2023: S680/A6037 Referred to Budget and Revenue
2022: S1750/A.4896 Referred to Budget and Revenue
2020: S.7325/A.8624 Referred to Budget and Revenue
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The department of tax and finance and the state board of elections will
incur additional staff and computer expense.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it becomes law, although the
state board of elections could immediately begin adopting necessary
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the law.