Senate Bill S5448

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S5448A

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the election law, in relation to ballots which are
counted by machine; to amend the election law, in relation to paper
ballots; and to repeal section 8-310 of such law, relating to paper
ballots


 PURPOSE :

The bill permits ballots for use in voting systems approved by the
state board of elections to be printed and arranged in a manner that
would permit them to be counted on such system. It also repeals
Election Law section 8-310 to eliminate the antiquated processes
therein, and amends Election Law section 8-312 to allows the State
Board to promulgate rules and regulations for the manner of delivery
of paper ballots to the voter.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1: Amends Election Law section 7-121 to provide that all
ballots printed for use on a voting system approved by the State Board
of Elections may be printed and arranged in a manner which would
permit them to be counted by such machine.
              

Section 2: Repeals Election Law section 8-310, which pertains to the
manner of delivery of paper ballots to voters.

Section 3: Amends Election Law section 8-312 to add a new subdivision
6, which authorizes the state board of elections to adopt rules and
regulations for the manner of delivery of paper ballots to the voter.

Section 4: Provides for the Act to take effect immediately.

 EXISTING LAW :

New bill.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Although New York's full face ballot requirements remain intact, with
the implementation of optical scan voting systems in poll sites the
information on ballots must be configured in a manner that will allow
scanners to sufficiently and adequately discern votes cast by the
voters.

Ballot information includes instructions to voters, a variety of
shapes for voting positions, candidates names, party endorsements,
office titles, ballot proposals, party emblems, "vote for:"
information, terms of office and other similar information.

The processes found in Election Law section 8-310 are outdated and no
longer serve the needs of elections administrators and election day
workers.

Amending section 8-312 by adding a new subdivision 6 authorizes the
State Board of Elections to promulgate and modify regulations as
necessary as new voting systems are deployed throughout the state.
This will ensure common practices across the State, including with
respect to ballot accountability, security and chain of custody.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New Bill.
 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the State.

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None known.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.