NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1819A
SPONSOR: Dinowitz TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to prohibition of state
party names; and to repeal subdivision 4 of section 2-124 of such law
relating thereto
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Relates to state party names; repealer
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Adds the words "Independence" and "Independent" to the exist-
ing list of words which the names of political parties in New York State
may. not include. The existing list includes the terms, "American,"
"United States," "National," "New York State," and "Empire State."
Section 2: Repeals Subdivision 4 of Section 2-124 of the Election Law.
Section 3: Requires any political party name or emblem in use on the
effective date of this act which violates the provisions of section
2-124 of the election law which is amended by this act to change the
name or emblem to conform to the provisions, as amended, on or before
January 1, 2023.
Section 4: Effective Date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The intent of the existing election law is that party names and symbols
should avoid causing confusion to voters. However, evidence suggests
that many voters who are registered as members of the Independence Party
do not realize they are registered in the Party; they intended to regis-
ter as independent (i.e. unaffiliated) voters but were confused by the
name of the Independence Party. In 2012, the Daily News conducted inter-
views with 200 New Yorkers who signed up as Independence Party voters
and found that 169 of them thought they were not joining any party at
all. This law would remove a major source of voter confusion.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20 - A.2600-A - Ordered to third reading
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect January 1, 2023.
