BILL NUMBER: S8644
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law and the New York city charter, in
relation to the state board of elections creating uniform ballots for
early mail, absentee, military and special voters who vote by mail; and
to repeal certain provisions of the election law relating thereto
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a single, statewide ballot format and a single, statewide
inner affirmation envelope and oath for all early-mail, absentee, mili-
tary, special federal, and special presidential voters, and to create a
unified online application system for all mail-ballot types.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill replaces the multiple, inconsistent statutory ballot and envel-
ope formats currently used for different categories of voters who cast
ballots by mail. It directs the State Board of Elections (SBOE) to
prescribe one uniform ballot format and one uniform inner affirmation
envelope, including a standard oath, for all mail-ballot voters. It
authorizes alternate envelopes when required by federal law. The bill
also establishes a statewide online application system that allows
voters to request any type of mail ballot electronically, with inte-
grated electronic signatures, language access, and accessibility
features. Sections 8-408 and 8-706 are repealed and replaced with a new
§ 8-318 governing statewide electronic transmittal of applications.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York's current mail-ballot system uses several different statutory
envelope formats, oath texts, and ballot layouts depending on a voter's
classification. This patchwork makes compliance harder for boards of
elections, complicates vendor contracts, increases printing costs, and
contributes to processing delays and voter errors. The detailed statuto-
ry templates also conflict with federal requirements for certain voters,
leading to inconsistent work-arounds rather than a coherent statewide
system.
This bill modernizes the system by giving SBOE clear authority to stand-
ardize all core components of mail-balloting. A single statewide ballot
format and a single uniform inner affirmation envelope will reduce
confusion, streamline training, and ensure that every voter interacts
with the same basic materials regardless of the category under which
they qualify to vote by mail. Centralizing design authority at the state
level also improves compliance with federal law, including UOCAVA, by
allowing alternate envelopes only when required.
The bill further strengthens voter access by establishing a statewide
online application portal for early mail, absentee, military, and
special federal or presidential ballots. This system will allow elec-
tronic signatures, ensure language access, and provide improved accessi-
bility for voters with disabilities, while reducing administrative
burden on county boards.
Uniformity, clarity, and modernized application systems will improve
election administration, reduce voter errors, and provide a consistent
and reliable process for all voters who cast ballots by mail.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There may be minimal upfront costs at the State Board, but this bill
will reduce long-term printing, procurement, and administrative costs
for county boards of elections.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act takes effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8644: 1057-hh New York city charter as added by local law, 1057-hh(e) New York city charter as added by local law, 1057-hh(f) New York city charter as added by local law