As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 147 election-related bills in the New York State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 147, Ballotpedia tracked five from May 15-21. Democrats sponsored four, while Republicans sponsored one. The five bills are:
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NY S06933: Increases the term of office of an election commissioner from two to four years beginning January first of each odd numbered year, Sen. Lea Webb (D).
- As introduced, this bill increases the term of office of an election commissioner from two years to four years beginning January first of each odd numbered year.
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NY S06740: Provides for requirements for officers, boards and judges making determinations as to the sufficiency of a designating or nominating petition, Sen. Rachel May (D).
- Provides that when determining the sufficiency of a petition, the officer or board making a determination shall construe all election laws, rules, and regulations liberally so as not to deprive an individual of their right to run for office, or the voters of their right to elect a candidate of their choice.
- Stipulates that a petition may be invalidated if the witness statement is inaccurate, the public office for which a candidate was designated for nomination is misstated, or if some voter signatures are older than the date on the witness statement.
- Provides that when deciding whether to accept or reject a petition, the court shall construe all election laws, rules, and regulations liberally so as not to deprive an individual of their right to run for office, or the voters of their right to elect a candidate of their choice.
- Provides that a petition shall not be invalidated because the stated number of signatures in the witness statement is inaccurate, and a petition shall not be rejected by the board of elections for not having the minimum number of signatures required.
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NY S06875: Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals, Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D).
- Establishes that, by majority vote, an election board may establish a polling place in a correctional facility in lieu of absentee voting at the facility, and outlines requirements and operation hours.
- Outlines procedures for handling and delivery of completed voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications collected by the board of inspectors.
- Modifies a deadline and adds requirements for the local board to communicate with a facility regarding absentee ballot voting and changing the deadline from 20 days before an election to 45 days before the election.
- Furnishes requirements and procedures for implementing absentee ballot voting at facilities in counties with at least 100,000 registered voters.
- Provides procedures and timelines for registering qualified voters, providing absentee ballot applications, and providing non-partisan educational materials in correctional facilities.
- Establishes that qualified individuals in correctional facilities have the right to register and vote, including electronic access to certain election procedures, and provides procedures and remedies if an individual feels his or her rights are violated.
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NY S06735: Relates to allowing pre-registered voters to apply for an absentee ballot, Sen. Rachel May (D).
- As introduced, this bill allows voters who are pre-registered, but will qualify to vote by the next election, to apply for an absentee ballot.
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NY S06928: Requires the county seat in Madison county to have at least one polling place designated for early voting, Sen. Joseph Griffo (R).
- As introduced, this bill requires the county seat in Madison county to have at least one polling place for early voting.
During the week of May 15-21, Ballotpedia tracked 26 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 963 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 147, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in the Massachusetts State Senate with zero.
As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 447 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 398 Senate bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 118 Senate bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The New York Senate is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 4 to June 8 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 190 Senate bills related to election administration. Ten of these bills passed both chambers and eight were enacted into law. New York is a Democratic trifecta.
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