BILL NUMBER: S5639
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring any student
graduating from a high school in New York state be provided with a voter
registration form
 
PURPOSE:
To require the state board of education and local boards of elections to
provide graduating high school students with a voter registration appli-
cation and information.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends the Election Law by adding a new section
5232.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Although school districts throughout New York organize voter registra-
tion drives and provide information regarding how and where to register
to vote, there is no statutory requirement under New York State law for
school districts in the state to provide eligible students matriculated
within a school district with:
(1) information regarding their eligibility to pre-register to vote,
(2) information regarding where and how to register,
(3) information regarding where and how to vote,
(4) a voter registration application. The intent of this legislation is
to require that the state board of education in conjunction with local
boards of elections provide school boards with information materials and
voter registration applications to graduating high school students of
voting age to register for general elections, and to those who are
eligible to pre-register to vote in primary elections, for local, state-
wide, or federal elections.
In order for democracy to thrive, it is critical that all eligible citi-
zens participate in the right to vote. In New York State, voter regis-
tration is instrumental in ensuring all those who are eligible to vote
can vote.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S8827A - Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become law.