NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A8665A
SPONSOR: Galef
 
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the election law, in relation to
establishing uniform hours during which the polls are open during prima-
ry elections
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation establishes that primary election day polling locations
be open statewide from 6:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 8-100 of the Election Law is amended
to read as follows: Polls shall be open for voting during the following
hours: a primary election from six o'clock in the morning until nine
o'clock in the evening.
Section 2. Establishes the effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Changes reflect the amendments made by chapter 367 of the laws of 2017.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the polls on primary election day are open from 12:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. in the majority of upstate New York, while in New York City
and many of its neighboring counties the polls are open from 6:00 a.m.
to 9:00 p.m. Many voters are confused as to what hours their polling
places are open as it varies throughout the State, and from election to
election; primary vs. general.
In an attempt to increase the number of voters participating in the
primary, this legislation will open a greater window of participation
time, especially for those working long days that may not be able to go
to the polls after work. This will allow those individuals the opportu-
nity to vote before their work day begins.
Approximately 21% of New York eligible voters participated in the 2016
Presidential Primary. Uniformity in voting is essential. By extending
the Primary Election Day polling hours, and having them match the Gener-
al Election Day hours, we are eliminating voter confusion, while also
giving voters a greater opportunity to participate.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is new legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
There will be a cost to each county, however the exact amount is not
known at this time.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on January 1, 2019.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8665--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
September 11, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Election Law -- recommitted to the Committee on Election Law in
accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to establishing uniform
hours during which the polls are open during primary elections
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 8-100 of the election law, as
2 amended by chapter 367 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 2. Polls shall be open for voting during the following hours: a prima-
5 ry election from [twelve o'clock noon until nine o'clock in the evening,
6 except in the city of New York and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk,
7 Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and Erie, and in such
8 city or county from] six o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock in
9 the evening; the general election from six o'clock in the morning until
10 nine o'clock in the evening; a special election called by the governor
11 pursuant to the public officers law, and, except as otherwise provided
12 by law, every other election, from six o'clock in the morning until nine
13 o'clock in the evening.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13424-02-8