NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1223 Revised 04/29/25
SPONSOR: Bores TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to the dates to file a
designating petition; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The act would change the dates of petition filing to allow. observant
Jewish candidates and staff to file without interfering with Passover.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The act would substitute the latest filing day from the twelfth Thurs-
day, as stated in the Election Law preceding the primary, to the twelfth
Monday preceding the 2026 primary. This act would extend the filing
period for 2026 only.
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is the same as the "Protect Passover Act" passed earlier this
session and adjusted to address the next religious conflict in 2026.
The current deadline to file petitions in 2026 would restrict observant
Jewish candidates from filing and interferes with Seders, as it overlaps
with the first day of Passover. This act would shift the filing deadline
for 2026, ensuring that New Yorkers of all faiths can equally partic-
ipate in the electoral process and adhere to the same deadlines.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023/2024
A6774 of 2023/2024 - referred to election law
FISCAL. IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and expire at the end of the
calendar year 2026.
