BILL NUMBER: S5570
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing electronic
absentee ballot applications
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To increase voter participation in the election process by allowing
voters to use electronic means to obtain absentee ballot applications.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of § 8-400 of the election
law, to provide that the Board of Elections shall accept an absentee
ballot application by fax, as an email attachment, or via an online
electronic absentee ballot application filing system, established pursu-
ant to this section.
Section 2 of this bill amends subdivision 2 of 'S 10-107 of the election
law to authorize the use of facsimile, email, or electronic filing
system for absentee ballot applications for military ballots.
Section 3 of this bill amends subdivision 2 of § 11-203 of the election
law to authorize the use of facsimile, email, or electronic filing
system for absentee ballot applications for special federal ballot
applicants.
Section 4 is the effective date (January 1st next succeeding enactment).
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Many New Yorkers are disenfranchised because of the immense absentee
ballot applications backlog facing the Board of Elections. Currently,
there is no electronic means by which a voter can request an absentee
ballot application. Providing such a system will help alleviate the
backlog and provide easier-access to applications for New Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22 REFERRED TO SENATE ELECTIONS
2021-22 referred to assembly election law
2020-21 REFERRED TO SENATE ELECTIONS
2020-21 reported from assembly election law
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal to create electronic transmittal system. Cost savings to be
realized from not paying postage to mail applications.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect January 1st next succeeding the date on which
it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5570: 8-400 election law, 8-400(2) election law, 10-107 election law, 10-107(2) election law, 11-203 election law, 11-203(2) election law