BILL NUMBER: S5346
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing absentee
voting for religious observance
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to allow for absentee voting in the
event of a religious observance.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 8-400 of the election law, adding new
subsection (e) to allow for absentee voting due to a religious obser-
vance.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2023, observant Jewish voters whose assigned election day and early
voting poll-sites were Catholic Churches were put in a difficult posi-
tion, violate their religious observances or exercise their right to
vote. By their belief, they are not permitted to enter a non-Jewish
house of worship-even to vote. The existence of this choice runs contra-
ry to our Constitution which enshrines the right to vote and the right
to free exercise of religion.
Additionally, special elections may, by state or local statute, conflict
with religious holidays for any religious group.
This religious prohibition is not a consideration for someone to vote by
mail/absentee ballot. This legislation will authorize absentee voting in
instances of religious observations, such as that of allowing for more
of our electorate body to participate in the voting process.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S8637/A9547 of 2024
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect January 1, 2025, and shall apply to any
general, primary, run-off primary, or special election held thereafter.