Seawright's Election Reform Bill Signed into Law

First Bill of Seawright’s Five Point Election Reform Package to Increase Government Transparency for Candidates Running for Statewide Office

On Wednesday, Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright’s (D-Manhattan) State Board of Elections Website bill, A5740A was signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The new law will require candidates running for statewide office in New York State to provide candidate website information on the State Board of Elections website.

“This change in the law will provide voters with access to information about candidates who are running to represent them, simply by including a link to their information on the State Board of Elections website. This is a win-win for voters and candidates in New York State. Knowledge is power in the voting booth and I am pleased that the Governor agrees and signed my election bill into law,” said Seawright.

The bill would publish campaign websites for candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Senate and Assembly. Candidates who do not provide their campaign website when they file to run will be listed on the webpage as not having declared a website. This is just one bill of Seawright’s 2017 five point election law reform package, sponsored in the 2017 legislative session. The package include bills to provide a safe harbor for military, special and absentee ballots, a streamlining for the filing of campaign disclosure reports and providing resources to Boards of Elections for training purposes.

“I will continue to sponsor and support bills like this one that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency for my constituents and voters across the State of New York,” said Seawright.