New York Board of Elections – 2011 Election Law Revision Proposals

On
April 5, 2011, the New York Board of Elections submitted the first portion of its
2011 legislative proposals to the Governor and Members of the New York State
Legislature to increase the efficiency of the electoral system and improve the
voting system. Fifteen proposals were sent in, mostly concerning the issues of
mandating minimum funding allocation, moving the fall primary election to June,
improving and enhancing election administration, controlling changes to the
statewide voter registration list, and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness
of the Board of Elections.

Some
of the legislative proposals are listed below.

• NYCBOE
  Proposal #11-02 – moves the fall primary election to
  the last Tuesday in June to comply with federal law and the new voting system’s
  requirements.
  The Board of Elections believes that this change is
  necessary for several reasons such as:

1. It is the only way it can comply with the
   Military and Overseas Voters Empowerment Act.
2. The current time frame between the primary and
   the general election prevents the Board from meeting certain statutory
   obligations.  
3. This can increase interest and voter turnout
   which is important in NYC where the election is frequently determined at the
   primary.
4. A June primary would allow voters to have enough
   time to learn about the candidates and issues as well as give candidates more
   time to prepare for the election.
5. This change can help the New York City Department
   of Education ensure that classes are not held in public schools (where the
   majority of poll sites are located) on the day of the primary.
6. If the primary election results are challenged or
   overturned by the courts, a June primary would allow more time to hold a re-run
   event.

• #11-03
  –
  clarifies the instructions on how to properly mark a paper ballot for the
  voter.
• #11-05
  –
  provides that there must be bipartisan approval and electronic recording of all
  activities and functions conducted using the statewide voter registration list.
• #11-06
  –
  proposes that there are no classes on the day of the primary election for
  students in public schools.
• #11-09
  –
  considers interfering with election equipment and poll sites as a felony.
• #11-12
  –
  gives the Boards of Elections authorization to conduct local registration at
  their option in any year.
• #11-14
  –
  changes the absentee ballot application process so that requests and responses
  for absentee ballots are able to be made through the day before an election.

Most
notable are proposals #11-02, #11-06, and #11-09 which affect the date of the
primary election and election administration.

For more details, visit http://vote.nyc.ny.us/