BILL NUMBER: S4332
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to the time election day
workers must be at poll sites to prepare for the opening of polls,
including receiving voting system keys and other ancillary election day
supplies
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To better serve the needs of voters by ensuring poll sites are fully
operational by the time polls open on election day.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The bill amends 8-102 of the Election Law by deleting the word "half'
from subdivisions 1 and 2 of Section 8-102 of the Election Law, provid-
ing that election workers report to the polls at least one hour before
the opening of the polls.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The one-half hour currently provided for in Election Law does not allow
enough time for poll workers to complete all preparatory Election Day
tasks and set-up and secure their voting systems for the timely opening
of polls. Additionally, in instances where poll workers do appear at
their assigned sites earlier than required to be more able to complete
said tasks, they risk not being paid for the time they actually serve.
Making the change to one hour helps ensure poll sites are ready to open
on time and voters will not wait to vote due to a lack of readiness.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: 52871 Comrie
S5850: 2022
S8291 COMRIE Same as A9823 Blake
A9823 Blake Same as 58291 COMRIE
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
January 1 next succeeding passage.