Election legislation roundup: New York State Assembly

By

Mercedes Yanora

As of Feb. 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 118 election-related bills in the New York State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 118, Ballotpedia tracked 11 from Feb. 13-19. Democrats sponsored seven of these bills, while Republicans sponsored two. A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored two bills. The 11 bills are:   

  • NY A04358: Clarifies the qualification to receive an absentee ballot; clarifies the process for delivery of an absentee ballot, Assembly Members William Colton (D), Donna Lupardo (D), Albert Stirpe (D), Kenneth Zebrowski (D), and Andrew Goodell (R).
  • NY A04433: Includes attempting to register as an elector knowing that he or she is not qualified due to lack of U.S. citizenship, Assembly Member Michael Durso (R).
  • NY A04270: Requires absentee ballots to be provided to all qualified voters; relates to the delivery of absentee ballots, Assembly Member Phillip Steck (D).
  • NY A04266: Requires the board of elections in the city of New York to release data on how voters ranked all candidates in a ranked choice election, even if a single candidate received a majority of highest rank votes and the tabulation process was not triggered, Assembly Members Maritza Davila (D), Jeffrey Dinowitz (D), Chantel Jackson (D), David Rosenthal (D), Jo Anne Simon (D), and Michael Tannousis (R).
  • NY A04304: Makes provisions relating to the joint nomination of candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor; provides candidates be designated jointly either by the state committee or by petition; provides said petition will be valid only if it jointly designates both candidates, Assembly Members Marianne Buttenschon (D), Sarah Clark (D), Harvey Epstein (D), Pam Hunter (D), Charles Lavine (D), William Magnarelli (D), Nader Sayegh (D), Rebecca Seawright (D), Gina Sillitti (D), Jo Anne Simon (D), Fred Thiele (D), and Kenneth Zebrowski (D).
  • NY A04258: Removes the ability to petition for opportunity to ballot for public office or party position, Assembly Member Phillip Steck (D).
  • NY A04282: Provides that certain local elections outside of New York City shall be in an even-numbered year, Assembly Members Chris Burdick (D), Kenneth Burgos (D), Taylor Darling (D), Inez Dickens (D), Amy Paulin (D), Phil Ramos (D), Gina Sillitti (D), and Latrice Walker (D).
  • NY A04200: Removes the requirement of a sworn statement administered by a notary public for purposes of petitions; requires the notary public to inquire whether the person is the same listed on the address, Assembly Member Phillip Steck (D).
  • NY A04414: Requires a valid government issued photo identification card be presented when casting a ballot; provides for persons eligible for Medicaid to receive identification cards, Assembly Member Michael Durso (R).
  • NY A04072: Amends election law to accurately reflect proper cross reference relating to the operational failure of a voting machine, Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D).
  • NY A04062: Requires the board of elections to post sample ballots online at least 12 days prior to the first day of early voting; requires such ballots to be posted in a searchable database, Assembly Member Gina Sillitti (D).

During the week of Feb. 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 78 House election-related bills nationally. As of Feb. 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 792 House bills this year. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 118, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 355 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 330. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 53 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 54.

As of Feb. 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 449 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 266 House 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 77 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The New York House is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 4 to June 8 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 226 House bills related to election administration. Seven of these bills passed both chambers and five were enacted into law. New York is a Democratic trifecta.

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