BILL NUMBER: S1778
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to prohibiting the state
board of elections and local boards of elections from accepting
donations of private funds for election administration
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would ban state and local boards of elections from receiving
private donations for elections administration.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Bans the state Board of Elections from receiving private
donations for elections administration.
Section 2: Bans local Boards of Elections from receiving private
donations for elections administration.
Section 3: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2020, many private organizations gave Boards of Elections across the
United States money for elections administration. While the effort may
have been well-intentioned, more nefarious actors may be trying to use
such donations to influence what equipment BOEs use or gain some type of
information for their own use. This must not be the case in New York.
BOEs work for the taxpayers of New York alone, and thus must be funded
by them solely.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.