S. 4948 2
C. A "SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL ELECTION" OR "SPECIAL DISTRICT SPECIAL
ELECTION" EXCEPT WHERE A SPECIFIC PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER MAY NOT BE
CONSISTENTLY APPLIED TO THE SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION PROCEDURE.
S 3. Subdivision 1 of section 3-404 of the election law, as amended by
chapter 263 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
1. The board of elections of each county shall on or before the
fifteenth day of July of each year select and appoint election inspec-
tors and poll clerks for each election district therein, and such number
of election coordinators as it determines to be necessary, and may ther-
eafter select and designate election inspectors, poll clerks and
election coordinators to fill any vacancy for an unexpired term. The
term of such designation shall be for a term ending on the fourteenth
day of July of the following year. If the election districts for a
general or special village election conducted by the board of elections,
A SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR SPECIAL
DISTRICT GENERAL OR SPECIAL ELECTION CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
are coterminous with the election districts established for general
elections, such election inspectors and poll clerks shall also serve at
such village, TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT elections. If the election
districts for such a village, TOWN election OR SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION
are not so coterminous, the board of elections shall select the inspec-
tors and poll clerks to serve in each such village, TOWN OR SPECIAL
DISTRICT election district from among the inspectors and poll clerks
appointed, pursuant to the provisions of this section, for any election
district wholly or partly in such village, TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT.
S 4. Subdivision 1 of section 3-420 of the election law, as amended by
chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
1. Election inspectors, poll clerks, election coordinators and quali-
fied voters appointed to act in place of an absent inspector, clerk or
coordinator shall be paid for their services on the days of registration
and election, by the county containing the election district in which
they serve, in an amount fixed by the county legislative body, subject
to such limitations as shall be prescribed or authorized by statute,
except that in the city of New York the amount of such compensation
shall be payable by such city and shall be fixed by the mayor at a daily
rate which, in the case of election inspectors shall not be less than
one hundred thirty dollars and in the case of election coordinators not
less than two hundred dollars. Such inspectors, poll clerks, election
coordinators and qualified voters at a general or special village
election conducted by the board of elections, A SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL OR
SPECIAL ELECTION CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS shall be paid by
such village, TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT in an amount fixed by the village
board of trustees, TOWN BOARD OR SPECIAL DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
subject to any such limitations.
S 5. Subdivision 1 of section 4-104 of the election law, as amended by
chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every board of elections shall, in consultation with each city,
town and village, designate the polling places in each election district
in which the meetings for the registration of voters, and for any GENER-
AL, SPECIAL OR PRIMARY election may be held. The board of trustees of
each village in which general and special village elections ARE
conducted by the board of elections [are held] at a time other than the
time of a general election, THE TOWN BOARD OF A TOWN IN WHICH SPECIAL
TOWN ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AT A TIME OTHER
THAN THE TIME OF A GENERAL ELECTION AND THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF
S. 4948 3
EACH SPECIAL DISTRICT IN WHICH ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS AT A TIME OTHER THAN THE TIME OF A GENERAL ELECTION shall
submit such a list of polling places for such village elections, SPECIAL
TOWN AND SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS to the board of elections. A polling
place may be located in a building owned by a religious organization or
used by it as a place of worship. If such a building is designated as a
polling place, it shall not be required to be open for voter registra-
tion on any Saturday if this is contrary to the religious beliefs of the
religious organization. In such a situation, the board of elections
shall designate an alternate location to be used for voter registration.
Such polling places must be designated by May first, of each year, and
shall be effective for one year thereafter. Such a list required to be
submitted by a village board of trustees, TOWN BOARD OR SPECIAL DISTRICT
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS must be submitted at least four months before
each general village election OR SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL ELECTION and
shall be effective until four months before the subsequent general
village election OR SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL ELECTION. A LIST OF THE
POLLING PLACES FOR A SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY THE
TOWN BOARD AT LEAST TWENTY DAYS BEFORE SUCH SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION. No
place in which a business licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on
premises consumption is conducted on any day of local registration or of
voting shall be so designated. If, within the discretion of the board of
elections a particular polling place so designated is subsequently found
to be unsuitable or unsafe or should circumstances arise that make a
designated polling place unsuitable or unsafe, then the board of
elections is empowered to select an alternative meeting place. In the
city of New York, the board of elections shall designate such polling
places and alternate registration places if the polling place cannot be
used for voter registration on Saturdays.
S 6. Subdivisions 2 and 4 of section 4-106 of the election law, subdi-
vision 2 as amended by chapter 635 of the laws of 1990 and subdivision 4
as amended by chapter 88 of the laws of 1995, are amended to read as
follows:
2. Each county, city, village and town clerk AND EACH SECRETARY OF A
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT, at least eight months
before each general election, shall make and transmit to the board of
elections a certificate stating each county, city, village [or], town OR
SPECIAL DISTRICT office, respectively to be voted for at each such
election. Each village clerk, at least five months before each general
village election conducted by the board of elections, shall make, and
transmit to such board, a certificate stating each village office to be
filled at such election. EACH SECRETARY OF A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A
SPECIAL DISTRICT, AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS BEFORE EACH SPECIAL DISTRICT
GENERAL OR SPECIAL ELECTION CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, SHALL
MAKE, AND TRANSMIT TO SUCH BOARD, A CERTIFICATE STATING EACH SPECIAL
DISTRICT OFFICE TO BE FILLED AT SUCH ELECTION.
4. Within three days after the occurrence of any vacancy in an office
required to be filled at the next general election or a general or
special village election or other special election conducted by the
board of elections OR SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL OR SPECIAL ELECTION
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, the state board of elections or the
county, city, town or village clerk OR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMIS-
SIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT as is appropriate, shall file with the
county board of elections, a certificate indicating the occurrence of
the vacancy and the position which is to be filled.
S. 4948 4
S 7. Section 4-120 of the election law, as amended by chapter 359 of
the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
S 4-120. Notices of general, village, SPECIAL TOWN, SPECIAL DISTRICT
and special elections; publication of. 1. The board of elections shall
publish once in each of the two weeks preceding a general election, or a
special [or], village, SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election
conducted by the board of elections, a notice specifying the day of the
election, and the public officers to be voted for within such county, or
any part thereof at such election. If constitutional amendments, or
questions are to be submitted to the voters of the state, the notice
shall state that fact and that a copy of each such amendment or question
may be obtained at the board of elections, by any voter. Such publica-
tion shall be in two newspapers published within the county. If the
county contains a city or cities, at least one of such newspapers shall
be published in the city, or the largest city, if there be more than
one.
In the case of a village, SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election,
such publication shall be made in a newspaper of general circulation in
such village, TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT and shall include an abstract of
any proposition to be voted upon at such election.
2. The board or body authorized to designate places for voting in any
town or in any city, except the city of New York, may publish on the
publication day immediately preceding election day, in a newspaper or
newspapers designated by such board or body, a notice of the election,
and the village clerk shall publish at least ten days prior to any
village election conducted by the board of elections, AND THE TOWN CLERK
SHALL PUBLISH AT LEAST TEN DAYS PRIOR TO ANY SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, AND THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SPECIAL DISTRICT SHALL PUBLISH AT LEAST TEN DAYS
PRIOR TO ANY SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS in a newspaper of general circulation in such village, TOWN OR
SPECIAL DISTRICT a list of the polling places, the date and hours of
election and, at the discretion of such board [or], clerk OR SECRETARY,
a brief description of the boundaries of each election district. Such
list shall identify those polling places which do not provide access to
handicapped voters. The amount to be paid for any of such publications
shall be at the rate prescribed by section seventy-a of the public offi-
cers law. In no publication, however, shall any type smaller than agate
be used. The amount to be paid for all such publications shall be a
town, city [or], village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT charge.
3. The board of elections of the city of New York shall publish on the
eighth day before and the day before each general election, in at least
two newspapers in such city, a notice, at least one-half page in size,
in English and such other languages as such board deems appropriate,
which sets forth the dates and hours of the election and the phone
number to call for information about the location of polling places,
their accessibility to the handicapped, applications for absentee
ballots and any other subjects which such board deems appropriate.
S 8. Subdivision 3 of section 4-122 of the election law, as amended by
chapter 359 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
3. The list described in subdivision one of this section shall be
published at least once in not less than two nor more than four newspa-
pers in the county. In a county containing a city, at least one such
publication shall be in a daily newspaper published in a city therein,
if there be such a newspaper. In the case of a village, SPECIAL TOWN OR
SPECIAL DISTRICT election held at a time other than the time of a gener-
S. 4948 5
al election, such publication shall be in a newspaper having general
circulation in such village, TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT. So far as is
consistent with this section, one such newspaper shall represent each of
the major political parties. Should the board of elections find it
impossible to make such publication six days before election it shall
make it at the earliest possible day thereafter before the election.
S 9. Subdivisions 1, 5 and 6 of section 4-134 of the election law,
subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 163 of the laws of 2010 and subdivi-
sions 5 and 6 as amended by chapter 635 of the laws of 1990, are amended
to read as follows:
1. The board of elections shall deliver, at its office, to the clerk
of each town or city in the county, except the cities of New York,
Buffalo and Rochester and to the clerk of each village in the county in
which elections are conducted by the board of elections, AND TO THE
SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF EACH SPECIAL DISTRICT IN THE
COUNTY IN WHICH ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, by
the Saturday before the primary, SPECIAL, general, village, SPECIAL
TOWN, SPECIAL DISTRICT or other election for which they are required:
the official and sample ballots; ledgers prepared for delivery in the
manner provided in subdivision two of this section and containing the
registration poll records of all persons entitled to vote at such
election in such town, city [or], village, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT or
computer generated registration lists containing the names of all
persons entitled to vote at such election in such town, city [or],
village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT; challenge reports prepared as directed by
this chapter; sufficient applications for registration by mail; suffi-
cient ledger seals and other supplies and equipment required by this
article to be provided by the board of elections for each polling place
in such town, city [or], village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT. The town, city or
village clerk OR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL
DISTRICT shall call at the office of such board of elections at such
time and receive such ballots, supplies and equipment. In the cities of
New York, Buffalo and Rochester the board of elections shall cause such
ballots, supplies and equipment to be delivered to the board of inspec-
tors of each election district approximately one-half hour before the
opening of the polls for voting, and shall take receipts therefor.
5. Each town, city and village clerk AND THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS OF EACH SPECIAL DISTRICT receiving such packages shall
cause all such packages so received and marked for any election district
to be delivered unopened and with the seals thereof unbroken to the
inspectors of election of such election districts at least one-half hour
before the opening of the polls of such election therein, and shall take
a receipt therefor specifying the number and kind of packages delivered.
At the same time each such clerk shall cause to be delivered to such
inspectors the equipment described in subdivision two of this section
and shall cause a receipt to be taken therefor.
6. Town, city and village clerks AND SECRETARIES OF BOARDS OF COMMIS-
SIONERS OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS required to provide official and sample
ballots, registration records, seals, supplies and equipment, as
described in this section, for town, city [and], village AND SPECIAL
DISTRICT elections not conducted by the board of elections, shall in
like manner, deliver them to the inspectors or presiding officers of the
election at each polling place at which such meetings and elections are
held, respectively, in like sealed packages marked on the outside in
like manner, and shall take receipts therefor in like manner.
S. 4948 6
S 10. Subdivision 2 of section 4-136 of the election law, as amended
by chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
2. All expenses incurred under this chapter by the board of elections
of a county outside of the city of New York shall be a charge against
the county and in the city of New York the expenses of the board of
elections shall be a charge against such city. The expenses incurred by
the board of elections of a county outside the city of New York may,
pursuant to section 3-226 of this chapter, be apportioned among the
cities and towns therein, or in the case of a village OR SPECIAL
DISTRICT election held other than at the time of the fall primary or
general election, apportioned to such villages OR SPECIAL DISTRICTS
therein.
S 11. Subdivision 1 of section 5-612 of the election law, as amended
by chapter 200 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
1. The board of elections [shall], not later than the twentieth day
before a special town election NOT CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
and not later than the seventh day before a village election NOT
conducted by the [village clerk] BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND NOT LATER THAN
THE NINETEENTH DAY BEFORE A SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION NOT CONDUCTED BY
THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, SHALL, provide a list of registered voters or
shall place registration poll records in properly locked ledgers in the
temporary custody of the town or village clerk OR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SPECIAL DISTRICT for the purpose of permitting
him to copy such records or to deliver such records for TOWN, village OR
SPECIAL DISTRICT election purposes to the board of inspectors of the
several polling places in the election districts as provided by this
chapter. The board of elections shall indicate on such list, or on a
separate accompanying list, the names of those voters whose registration
records have been marked "permanently disabled". The names of voters in
inactive status shall appear on a separate accompanying list. Voters
listed in inactive status who appear at the polls to vote shall be chal-
lenged in the manner provided by section 8-504 of this chapter.
S 12. Section 6-144 of the election law, as amended by chapter 635 of
the laws of 1990, the opening paragraph as amended by chapter 150 of the
laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
S 6-144. Nominating and designating petitions and certificates; place
for filing. Petitions, certificates and minutes specified in this arti-
cle shall be filed in the office of the Board of Elections of the coun-
ty, except as follows: for an office or position to be voted for wholly
within the city of New York, in the office of the Board of Elections of
that city; for an office or position to be voted for in a district
greater than one county, or portions of two or more counties, in the
office of the state board of elections; for a TOWN OR village office to
be filled in a TOWN OR village election not conducted by the board of
elections, in the office of the TOWN OR village clerk. All such
petitions and certificates shall at the time of filing thereof be
endorsed by such officer or board with the day, hour and minute of such
filing. Such officer or board shall keep a book, which shall be open to
public inspection in which shall be entered the times of filing all such
petitions and certificates; the names and residences of all candidates
named therein; the names and residences of all candidates certified to
such officer or board; the title of the office or party position; the
name of the party or independent body to which the petition or certif-
icate relates and a memorandum of any objections to such petition or
certificate. Forthwith upon the filing of a petition or certificate
designating or nominating a person or persons for public office, such
S. 4948 7
officer or board shall mail notice thereof to each such person. Such
notice shall also state the last day to decline such designation or
nomination, and include a statement that the candidate's name shall
appear on the ballot as it appears in such notice.
S 13. Sections 6-100 through 6-168 of article 6 of the election law
are designated title 1 and a new title heading is added to read as
follows:
GENERAL, SPECIAL AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS
S 14. Article 6 of the election law is amended by adding a new title 3
to read as follows:
TITLE III
SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS
SECTION 6-300. APPLICATION OF TITLE.
6-302. NOMINATING PETITIONS; NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.
6-304. PETITIONS AND CERTIFICATES; PLACE AND TIMES FOR FILING.
6-306. NOMINATIONS; OBJECTIONS.
S 6-300. APPLICATION OF TITLE. THIS TITLE APPLIES TO ALL SPECIAL
DISTRICT ELECTIONS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
S 6-302. NOMINATING PETITIONS; NUMBER OF SIGNATURES. A NOMINATING
PETITION FOR A SPECIAL DISTRICT OFFICE FOR WHICH SUCH A PETITION IS
REQUIRED, SHALL BE SIGNED BY AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF
THE DISTRICT.
S 6-304. PETITIONS AND CERTIFICATES; PLACE AND TIMES FOR FILING. 1.
PETITIONS AND CERTIFICATES OF CANDIDACY SHALL BE FILED WITH THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS.
2. A NOMINATING PETITION OR A CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY FOR AN OFFICE
TO BE FILLED AT A SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION, OTHER THAN A FIRE DISTRICT
ELECTION, SHALL BE FILED NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS PRECEDING THE
ELECTION. SUCH A NOMINATING PETITION OR CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY FOR A
SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION IN A FIRE DISTRICT SHALL BE FILED NOT LATER
THAN TEN DAYS PRECEDING THE ELECTION.
S 6-306. NOMINATIONS; OBJECTIONS. WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO A NOMINATING
PETITION OR TO A CERTIFICATE OF NOMINATION, CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE,
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION, CERTIFICATE OF DECLINATION OR CERTIFICATE
OF SUBSTITUTION WITH RESPECT TO AN OFFICE TO BE FILLED AT A SPECIAL
DISTRICT ELECTION MAY BE FILED NOT LATER THAN THE DAY AFTER THE LAST DAY
TO FILE SUCH PETITION OR CERTIFICATE, OR THE DAY AFTER SUCH PETITION OR
CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IF SUCH PETITION OR
CERTIFICATE IS MAILED WITHIN THE TIME PERMITTED BY LAW, WHICHEVER IS
LATER. WRITTEN SPECIFICATIONS OF THE GROUNDS FOR SUCH OBJECTIONS SHALL
BE SO FILED WITHIN TWO DAYS THEREAFTER. A FAILURE TO FILE SUCH WRITTEN
SPECIFICATIONS SHALL RENDER THE ORIGINAL OBJECTION NULL AND VOID. UPON
RECEIPT OF WRITTEN SPECIFICATIONS, THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL
IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY EACH CANDIDATE NAMED IN SUCH PETITION OR CERTIFICATE
AND TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY AND CONSISTENT WITH THIS CHAPTER TO RENDER
A DETERMINATION ON THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN SUCH OBJECTIONS AND SPECIFI-
CATIONS. WHEN A DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF
ELECTIONS THAT THE PETITION IS SUFFICIENT OR INSUFFICIENT, IT SHALL
IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY EACH CANDIDATE NAMED IN THE PETITION OR CERTIFICATE,
AND, IF SUCH DETERMINATION WAS MADE ON OBJECTION, THE OBJECTOR.
S 15. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 8-400 of the
election law, as amended by chapter 63 of the laws of 2010, is amended
to read as follows:
A qualified voter may vote as an absentee voter under this chapter if,
on the occurrence of any village, SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT,
OTHER THAN FIRE DISTRICT, election conducted by the board of elections,
S. 4948 8
primary election, special election, general election or New York city
community school board district or city of Buffalo school district
election, he or she expects to be:
S 16. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 8-404 of the
election law, as amended by chapter 359 of the laws of 1989, is amended
to read as follows:
After entering upon the registration records, the application for
registration of an inmate or patient of a veterans' administration
hospital as to whom the medical superintendent or medical head of such
hospital has attested that he expects that he will not be discharged
prior to the day following the next general or special village ELECTION,
SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT, OTHER THAN A FIRE DISTRICT, ELECTION
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, primary, special, general or New
York city community school board district or city of Buffalo school
district election, and the application for registration by the spouse,
parent or child of such inmate or patient, accompanying or being with
him or her, if a qualified voter and a resident of the same election
district, the board of elections, without further investigation and
without further application by the applicant, shall send to him at such
hospital an absentee ballot and shall record in the signature column on
the back of his permanent personal registration poll record that such
ballot has been sent.
S 17. Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subdivision 3 of section 9-124 of
the election law, as amended by chapter 91 of the laws of 1992, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) In a city or town, except the city of New York and in a village OR
SPECIAL DISTRICT in which elections are conducted by the board of
elections, the registration poll records or computer generated registra-
tion lists, the returns with tally sheets annexed, the absentee and
military, special federal, special presidential and emergency ballots,
stubs and ballot envelopes, the challenge records and the package of
protested, void and wholly blank ballots shall be filed with the board
of elections, and the flag shall be returned to it.
(b) Records and supplies to be filed with a city, town or village
clerk OR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT
shall be so filed or delivered immediately after the completion of the
returns of the canvass, by an inspector designated by the board of
inspectors. Returns, papers and registration poll records or computer
generated registration lists to be filed with the board of elections
shall be so filed by the chairman of the board of inspectors within
twenty-four hours after the completion of such returns. The person
receiving such returns in the board of elections shall give to the
person delivering the returns a receipt stating therein the date and
hour of delivery, the name of the person making the delivery, and to
whom said returns were delivered and shall keep a duplicate of said
receipt on file in the office of the board of elections.
(c) The county legislative body of any county in the state except the
counties comprising the city of New York may, by a resolution, ordinance
or act as required, provide that all returns, papers, registration poll
records or computer generated registration lists, books, records, docu-
ments, and other election supplies and materials shall be filed by the
chairman of the board of inspectors of elections in a city or town and
in a village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT in which elections are conducted by the
board of elections, with the city, town or village clerk OR SECRETARY OF
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT of such city, town
[or], village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT in the county within eighteen hours
S. 4948 9
after the closing of the polls at any primary, general, special [or],
village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election and the city, town or village clerk
OR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT upon
receiving such returns, papers, registers or lists, books, records,
documents, and other election supplies and materials shall give to the
person making the delivery, a receipt stating therein the date and hour
of the delivery and the name of such person. Within twenty-four hours
after the closing of the polls at any primary, general, special [or],
village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election, the city, town or village clerk OR
SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT shall file
all returns, papers, registration poll records or computer generated
registration lists, books, records, documents and other election
supplies and materials filed with him by the inspectors of the election
districts of the city, town [or], village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT, with the
board of elections of the county and the board of elections shall give
to the city, town or village clerk OR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMIS-
SIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT a receipt therefor stating therein the
date and hour of the delivery and the name of the person making the
delivery and to whom it was made, and shall keep a duplicate of said
receipt on file in the office of the board of elections.
S 18. Section 9-204 of the election law, as amended by chapter 359 of
the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
S 9-204. County boards of canvassers. The board of elections of each
county or city shall be the county board of canvassers of such county,
or each county within such city. Such board also shall be the city board
of canvassers of any city or cities within the county for a city
election. Such board shall also be the board of canvassers of the towns
of the county. Such board shall also be the board of canvassers of
villages in which village elections are conducted by the board of
elections AND OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS IN WHICH SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS
ARE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS. The secretary of the board of
elections, or, if he is absent, or unable to act, a member or chief
clerk designated by the board shall be the secretary of the canvassing
board. Each canvassing board shall meet at the place where it usually
meets in other capacities on the day following the election, but its
duties may be performed in any or all of the offices of the board of
elections.
S 19. Subdivision 1 of section 9-208 of the election law, as amended
by chapter 163 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
1. Within fifteen days after each general, special or primary
election, and within seven days after every village, SPECIAL TOWN OR
SPECIAL DISTRICT election conducted by the board of elections at which
ballot scanners are used, the board of elections, or a bipartisan
committee of or appointed by said board shall, in each county using
ballot scanners, make a record of the serial number of each ballot scan-
ner used in each election district in such general, special or primary
election. No person who was a candidate at such election shall be
appointed to membership on the committee. Such board of elections or
bipartisan committee shall recanvass the tabulated result tape from each
ballot scanner used in each election district by comparing such tape
with the numbers as recorded on the return of canvass. The said board or
committee shall also make a recanvass of any election day paper ballots
that have not been scanned and were hand counted pursuant to subdivision
two of section 9-110 of this article and compare the results with the
number as recorded on the return of canvass. The board or committee
shall then recanvass write-in votes, if any, on ballots which were
S. 4948 10
otherwise scanned and canvassed at polling places on election night. The
board or committee shall validate and prove such sums. Before making
such canvass the board of elections, with respect to each election
district to be recanvassed, shall give notice in writing to the voting
machine custodian thereof, to the state and county chair of each party
or independent body which shall have nominated candidates for the said
general or special election or nominated or elected candidates at the
said primary election and to each individual candidate whose name
appears on the office ballot, of the time and place where such canvass
is to be made; and the state and county chair of each such party or
independent body and each such individual candidate may send a represen-
tative to be present at such recanvass. Each candidate whose name
appears on the official ballot, or his or her representative, shall have
the right personally to examine and make a record of the vote recorded
on the tabulated result tape and any ballots which were hand counted.
S 20. Subdivision 1 of section 9-212 of the election law, as amended
by chapter 635 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
1. The canvassing board shall determine each person elected by the
greatest number of votes to each county office, and each person elected
by the greatest number of votes to each city, town or village OR SPECIAL
DISTRICT office of a city, town or village OR SPECIAL DISTRICT of which
it is the board of canvassers. The canvassing board shall also deter-
mine whether any ballot proposal submitted only to the voters of the
county, or only to the voters of a city, town or village of which it is
the board of canvassers, as the case may be, has by the greater number
of votes been adopted or rejected.
S 21. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 10-108 of the election
law, as amended by chapter 4 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as
follows:
(a) Ballots for military voters shall be mailed or otherwise distrib-
uted by the board of elections, in accordance with the preferred method
of transmission designated by the voter pursuant to section 10-107 of
this article, as soon as practicable but in any event not later than
thirty-two days before a primary or general election; twenty-five days
before a New York city community school board district or city of
Buffalo school district election; fourteen days before a village,
SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT, OTHER THAN FIRE DISTRICT, election
conducted by the board of elections; and forty-five days before a
special election. A voter who submits a military ballot application
shall be entitled to a military ballot thereafter for each subsequent
election through and including the next two regularly scheduled general
elections held in even numbered years, including any run-offs which may
occur; provided, however, such application shall not be valid for any
election held within seven days after its receipt. Ballots shall also be
mailed to any qualified military voter who is already registered and who
requests such military ballot from such board of elections in a letter,
which is signed by the voter and received by the board of elections not
later than the seventh day before the election for which the ballot is
requested and which states the address where the voter is registered and
the address to which the ballot is to be mailed. The board of elections
shall enclose with such ballot a form of application for military
ballot. In the case of a primary election, the board shall deliver only
the ballot of the party with which the military voter is enrolled
according to the military voter's registration records. In the event a
primary election is uncontested in the military voter's election
district for all offices or positions except the party position of
S. 4948 11
member of the ward, town, city or county committee, no ballot shall be
delivered to such military voter for such election; and the military
voter shall be advised of the reason why he or she will not receive a
ballot.
S 22. The article heading of article 15 of the election law is amended
to read as follows:
VILLAGE, SPECIAL TOWN AND SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS
S 23. Sections 15-100 through 15-138 of article 15 of the election law
are designated title 1 and a new title heading is added to read as
follows:
VILLAGE ELECTIONS
S 24. Article 15 of the election law is amended by adding two new
titles 2 and 3 to read as follows:
TITLE II
SPECIAL TOWN ELECTIONS
SECTION 15-200. APPLICATION OF TITLE.
15-202. DEFINITIONS.
15-204. SPECIAL TOWN ELECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS.
15-206. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.
S 15-200. APPLICATION OF TITLE. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE SHALL
APPLY TO ALL SPECIAL TOWN ELECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
PURSUANT TO A RESOLUTION ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THE TOWN LAW AND AS FURTHER
DESCRIBED IN THIS TITLE. ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER NOT INCON-
SISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN LAW WITH RESPECT TO THE CONDUCT
OF SUCH SPECIAL TOWN ELECTIONS, SHALL APPLY TO SUCH SPECIAL TOWN
ELECTIONS.
S 15-202. DEFINITIONS. THE TERMS USED IN THIS TITLE SHALL HAVE THE
MEANING HEREIN DEFINED UNLESS ANOTHER MEANING IS CLEARLY APPARENT IN
LANGUAGE OR CONTEXT:
1. "SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION" MEANS ANY ELECTION HELD IN ANY TOWN OR PART
THEREOF AT A TIME OTHER THAN THE TIME OF THE BIENNIAL TOWN ELECTION FOR
ANY PURPOSE SPECIFIED IN THE TOWN LAW, THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW, THE
LOCAL FINANCE LAW, THE MUNICIPAL HOME RULE LAW OR ANY OTHER LAW.
2. "PUBLISH" MEANS THAT ANY NOTICE OR RESOLUTION REQUIRED TO BE
PUBLISHED BY A TOWN IN CONNECTION WITH A SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION SHALL BE
SO PRINTED WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED IN THE LAW REQUIRING PUBLICATION IN
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE TOWN, OR IF NONE, ONE OF GENERAL CIRCU-
LATION WITHIN THE TOWN.
S 15-204. SPECIAL TOWN ELECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
THE TOWN BOARD OF ANY TOWN MAY ADOPT A RESOLUTION SUBJECT TO A PERMIS-
SIVE REFERENDUM, AS PROVIDED IN THE TOWN LAW, PROVIDING THAT SPECIAL
TOWN ELECTIONS SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS. UPON
APPROVAL OF SUCH A RESOLUTION BY THE TOWN BOARD AND BY A PERMISSIVE
REFERENDUM, IF A VALID PETITION FOR SUCH A REFERENDUM IS TIMELY FILED,
THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL CONDUCT ALL SPECIAL TOWN ELECTIONS IN SUCH
TOWN OR ANY PART THEREOF. SUCH RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT AT THE FIRST
ELECTION HELD IN SUCH TOWN OR PART THEREOF MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER
ITS ADOPTION AND SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT FOR ALL SUCH ELECTIONS UNTIL A
SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING OTHERWISE SHALL, IN A LIKE MANNER, HAVE
TAKEN EFFECT.
S 15-206. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. 1. IN A SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS PURSUANT TO A RESOLUTION ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN LAW, ONLY THOSE PERSONS REGIS-
TERED TO VOTE WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ON THE TENTH DAY BEFORE SUCH
ELECTION AND SUCH OTHER PERSONS OR ENTITIES ENTITLED TO VOTE IN SUCH
S. 4948 12
ELECTION WHOSE NAMES HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE RECORDS OF THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION
SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.
2. A PERSON WHO IS NOT AN ELECTOR OF THE TOWN OR PART OF THE TOWN FOR
WHICH A SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION IS BEING HELD BUT WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO CAST
A VOTE IN ANY SUCH ELECTION AND ANY OTHER ENTITY ENTITLED TO CAST A VOTE
IN ANY SUCH ELECTION MUST NOTIFY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OF THEIR ELIGI-
BILITY TO VOTE IN SUCH ELECTION AT LEAST TEN DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF
SUCH ELECTION. SUCH NOTICE MUST SET FORTH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH
PERSON OR ENTITY, THE BASIS OF ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IN SUCH ELECTION AND,
IF SUCH ENTITY IS NOT A NATURAL PERSON, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE
NATURAL PERSON DESIGNATED TO CAST SUCH VOTE, AND SUCH OTHER INFORMATION
AS THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL REQUIRE.
3. THE TOWN CLERK SHALL SUPPLY TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SUCH INFORMA-
TION AS IT REQUESTS TO ASSIST THE BOARD IN DETERMINING THE ELIGIBILITY
OF ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO VOTE IN ANY SUCH ELECTION.
TITLE III
SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS
SECTION 15-300. APPLICATION OF TITLE.
15-302. DEFINITIONS.
15-304. SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS.
15-306. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.
S 15-300. APPLICATION OF TITLE. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE SHALL
APPLY TO ALL SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS CONDUCTED BY
THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS PURSUANT TO A RESOLUTION ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THE
TOWN LAW AND AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN THIS TITLE. ALL THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS CHAPTER NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN LAW WITH
RESPECT TO THE CONDUCT OF SUCH SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS, SHALL APPLY
TO SUCH SPECIAL DISTRICT GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
S 15-302. DEFINITIONS. THE TERMS USED IN THIS TITLE SHALL HAVE THE
MEANING HEREIN DEFINED UNLESS ANOTHER MEANING IS CLEARLY APPARENT IN
LANGUAGE OR CONTEXT:
1. "SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION" MEANS THE ANNUAL ELECTION FOR SPECIAL
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT OR ANY OTHER ELECTION OF A
SPECIAL DISTRICT FOR ANY OTHER SPECIAL DISTRICT OFFICE OR PURPOSE SPECI-
FIED IN THE TOWN LAW.
2. "PUBLISH" MEANS THAT ANY NOTICE OR RESOLUTION REQUIRED TO BE
PUBLISHED BY A SPECIAL DISTRICT SHALL BE SO PRINTED WITHIN THE TIME
REQUIRED IN THE LAW REQUIRING PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF
THE SPECIAL DISTRICT, OR IF NONE, ONE OF GENERAL CIRCULATION WITHIN THE
SPECIAL DISTRICT.
S 15-304. SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT MAY ADOPT A
RESOLUTION SUBJECT TO A PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM, AS PROVIDED IN THE TOWN
LAW, PROVIDING THAT SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY THE
BOARD OF ELECTIONS. UPON APPROVAL OF SUCH A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS AND BY A PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM, IF A VALID PETITION FOR
SUCH A REFERENDUM IS TIMELY FILED, THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL CONDUCT
ALL SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS IN SUCH SPECIAL DISTRICT. SUCH RESOLUTION
SHALL TAKE EFFECT AT THE FIRST ELECTION HELD IN SUCH SPECIAL DISTRICT
MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER ITS ADOPTION AND SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT FOR
ALL SUCH ELECTIONS UNTIL A SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING OTHERWISE
SHALL, IN A LIKE MANNER, HAVE TAKEN EFFECT.
S 15-306. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. IN A SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS PURSUANT TO A RESOLUTION ADOPTED
S. 4948 13
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN LAW, ONLY THOSE PERSONS REGIS-
TERED TO VOTE WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ON THE TENTH DAY BEFORE SUCH
ELECTION SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.
S 25. Subdivision 2 of section 16-102 of the election law, as amended
by chapter 79 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
2. A proceeding with respect to a petition shall be instituted within
fourteen days after the last day to file the petition, or within three
business days after the officer or board with whom or which such peti-
tion was filed, makes a determination of invalidity with respect to such
petition, whichever is later; except that a proceeding with respect to a
petition for a village, SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election or an
independent nomination for a special election shall be instituted within
seven days after the last day to file the petition for such village,
SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election or independent nomination or
within three business days after the officer or board with whom or which
such petition was filed, makes a determination of invalidity with
respect to such petition, whichever is later. A proceeding with respect
to a primary, convention, meeting of a party committee, or caucus shall
be instituted within ten days after the holding of such primary or
convention or the filing of the certificate of nominations made at such
caucus or meeting of a party committee.
S 26. Subdivision 5 of section 16-106 of the election law, as amended
by chapter 359 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
5. A proceeding under subdivisions one and three of this section must
be instituted within twenty days and under subdivision two OF THIS
SECTION, within thirty days after the election or alleged erroneous
statement or determination was made, or the time when the board shall
have acted in the particulars as to which it is claimed to have failed
to perform its duty, except that such a proceeding with respect to a
village, SPECIAL TOWN OR SPECIAL DISTRICT election must be instituted
within ten days after such election, statement, determination or action.
S 27. Section 361-a of the county law, as amended by chapter 359 of
the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
S 361-a. Expenses of boards of elections outside New York City; appor-
tionment of. The board of elections in each county, outside of the city
of New York, on or before the fifteenth day of December and not earlier
than the first day of October, in each year, shall certify to the clerk
of the legislative body of the county, the total amount of the expenses
of such board of elections, including salaries for the preceding year,
and, if the legislative body of any county shall so direct, shall certi-
fy to such clerk the portions of such expenses which under provisions of
law are to be borne by any city or cities in said county and the portion
thereof which is to be borne by the rest of such county and such clerk
shall thereupon notify the proper local official or officials, who, in
spreading upon the assessment-rolls the taxes to be levied upon the
taxable property in the city or any such cities, and in the rest of the
county, shall include in the amount so spread the amounts certified by
the board of elections to be borne by such city or cities, respectively,
and in the amount spread upon the assessment-rolls of the taxable prop-
erty in the several towns or other political subdivisions of the rest of
the county the amount so certified by said board of elections to be
borne by such towns or political subdivisions respectively. Whenever any
additional expenses either for salaries or supplies in addition to the
regular county-wide primary and GENERAL election expenses are incurred
by a board of elections incidental to any election in any city, town,
SPECIAL DISTRICT or village, such board of elections shall certify to
S. 4948 14
the county legislative body a detailed statement of such expenses and
said county legislative body may cause the amount thereof to be levied
against such city, town, SPECIAL DISTRICT or village or may certify the
amount thereof to such city, town, SPECIAL DISTRICT or village and such
city, town, SPECIAL DISTRICT or village shall upon such certification,
include the amount so certified in the next budget and tax levy and
shall pay the same to the county.
S 28. Section 64 of the town law is amended by adding a new subdivi-
sion 26 to read as follows:
26. RESOLUTIONS. MAY ADOPT A RESOLUTION, SUBJECT TO A PERMISSIVE
REFERENDUM, PROVIDING THAT ALL SPECIAL ELECTIONS IN SUCH TOWN SHALL BE
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. UPON APPROVAL OF SUCH A
RESOLUTION BY THE TOWN BOARD AND BY THE VOTERS IN A PERMISSIVE REFEREN-
DUM, IF A VALID PETITION FOR SUCH A REFERENDUM IS TIMELY FILED, THE
COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL CONDUCT ALL SPECIAL ELECTIONS REQUIRED
TO BE HELD IN SUCH TOWN OR ANY PART THEREOF. SUCH RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE
EFFECT FOR THE FIRST SUCH ELECTION HELD MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER ITS
ADOPTION AND SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT FOR ALL SUCH ELECTIONS UNTIL A
SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING OTHERWISE SHALL, IN A LIKE MANNER, HAVE
TAKEN EFFECT.
S 29. Subdivision 4 of section 81 of the town law, as amended by chap-
ter 434 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
4. Such petition shall be subscribed and authenticated, in the manner
provided by the election law for the authentication of nominating
petitions, by electors of the town qualified to vote upon a proposition
to raise and expend money, in number equal to at least five per centum
of the total votes cast for governor in said town at the last general
election held for the election of state officers, but such number shall
not be less than one hundred in a town of the first class nor less than
twenty-five in a town of the second class. If such a petition be filed
in the office of the town clerk not less than sixty days, nor more than
seventy-five days, prior to a biennial town election, the proposition
shall be submitted at such biennial election. If a petition be
presented at any other time, a special election shall be called to be
held not less than sixty days, nor more than seventy-five days after the
filing of such petition EXCEPT THAT IF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND THE DATES PRESCRIBED BY THIS
SUBDIVISION FOR CONDUCTING SUCH ELECTION ARE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF A
GENERAL OR PRIMARY ELECTION CONDUCTED BY SUCH BOARD OF ELECTIONS, THEN
SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION SHALL BE HELD NOT LESS THAN THIRTY NOR MORE THAN
FORTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER SUCH GENERAL OR PRIMARY ELECTION.
S 30. Section 83 of the town law, as amended by chapter 134 of the
laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
S 83. Conduct of town elections. The town board shall select from the
list of election inspectors and ballot clerks previously designated for
general election purposes, pursuant to the election law, persons to act
as election inspectors and ballot clerks for each voting place at which
a special town election NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
shall be held. Election inspectors and ballot clerks for biennial town
elections shall be those appointed as provided by the election law, and
both special town elections and biennial elections shall be conducted,
the votes canvassed, and the results certified and returned so far as
practicable in the manner prescribed by such law. Upon the closing of
the polls at any election NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
at which a proposition or propositions shall be voted upon, the election
inspectors shall proceed to canvass the votes thereat and shall complete
S. 4948 15
such canvass without adjournment. As soon as possible after completion
OF THE CANVASS OF ANY ELECTION NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF
ELECTIONS the inspectors shall file with the town clerk a certificate
setting forth the holding of the election, the total number of votes
cast upon each proposition, and the number of votes cast for and against
each proposition, together with the name and address of every person
voting at such election upon such proposition or propositions.
S 31. Subdivision 2 of section 84 of the town law, as amended by chap-
ter 281 of the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
2. The town board of a town may, by resolution adopted at a regular
meeting, determine that thereafter personal registration of voters shall
be required for special town elections NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD
OF ELECTIONS. Such resolution and the notice hereinafter provided for
shall specify the day or days, the place or places, and the hours during
which a board or boards of registration shall meet for the purpose of
preparing a register of voters of the town qualified to vote in such
special elections, who shall present themselves personally for registra-
tion for such special election. The town clerk shall give notice at the
expense of the town, by the publication of a notice in a newspaper
published in said town, if there be any, or, if there be none, in a
newspaper published in the county having general circulation in the
town, specifying the day or days, the place or places, and hours during
which the board or boards of registration will meet for the purpose of
preparing a register of qualified voters of the town as provided in this
section. The first publication of such notice shall be at least ten days
prior to the first day fixed by the town board on which boards of regis-
tration shall meet. In addition, the town clerk shall post or cause to
be posted in five conspicuous places in said town copies of such notice
at least ten days prior to the first day fixed by the town board on
which the boards of registration shall meet.
S 32. Subdivision 1 of section 84-a of the town law, as added by chap-
ter 396 of the laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
1. Absentee ballots shall be provided PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION for all special town elections NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS for which personal registration is required.
S 33. Subdivisions 1 and 6 of section 175 of the town law, subdivision
1 as amended by chapter 185 of the laws of 2010 and subdivision 6 as
amended by chapter 586 of the laws of 2004, are amended to read as
follows:
1. An annual election shall be held in each fire district on the
second Tuesday in December, except that in the Ocean Bay Park fire
district, the Lonelyville fire district, the Davis Park fire district,
the Cherry Grove fire district and the Fire Island Pines fire district,
Suffolk county, such annual election shall be held on the second Tuesday
in July, except that in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer county, such
annual election shall be held on the Tuesday next succeeding the first
Monday in November from six o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock in
the evening and except that in the Belfast fire district, Allegany coun-
ty, such annual election shall be held on the first Tuesday in December.
The board of fire commissioners shall give notice [thereof] OF SUCH AN
ELECTION NOT CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS by the publication of a
notice once in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in
the district. The first publication of such notice shall be not less
than twenty-seven days and not more than thirty-four days prior to the
date of such election. Such notice shall specify the time when and the
place where such election will be held, the officers to be elected ther-
S. 4948 16
eat and their terms of office, and the hours during which the polls will
be open for the receipt of ballots. The secretary of such fire district
shall prepare the ballots for all elections of fire district officers
NOT CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS and the polls shall remain open
for the receipt thereof at all elections of fire district officers from
six o'clock in the evening until nine o'clock in the evening and such
additional consecutive hours prior thereto as the board of fire commis-
sioners of such district may have determined and specified in the notice
thereof. The board of fire commissioners shall designate a resident fire
district elector, who shall be a registered voter of the town, to act as
chairman of any election of said district NOT CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS and shall designate not less than two nor more than four resi-
dent fire district electors, who shall be registered voters of the town
to act as election inspectors and ballot clerks at ANY such elections.
No elective officer of the fire district shall serve as such chairman or
as an election inspector or ballot clerk. The board of fire commission-
ers may adopt a resolution providing that such chairman, election
inspectors and ballot clerks shall be paid for their respective services
at any such annual election or at any special election of the fire
district. Such resolution, if adopted, shall fix the amount of such
compensation, as follows: if the hours during which the polls will be
open for the receipt of ballots are from six o'clock in the evening
until nine o'clock in the evening, a sum not to exceed thirty-five
dollars for each such official; if additional consecutive hours prior to
six o'clock in the evening are determined and specified in the notice of
election, a sum not to exceed fifty dollars for each such official.
6. If in any fire district the number of voters is so great as to
render it inexpedient or impossible to conduct the election at one poll-
ing place, the board of fire commissioners may divide the fire district
into election districts and provide a polling place for each such
election district, provided, however, that the number of election
districts in any fire district shall not exceed one for each six hundred
electors plus one for a remaining fraction of six hundred. In such
event, the notice specified in subdivision one of this section shall
describe the election districts and state where the polling places will
be located[, and the]. THE board of fire commissioners shall designate
not less than two nor more than four resident fire district electors,
who shall be registered voters of the town, to act as election inspec-
tors and ballot clerks at each such polling place IN ANY ELECTION NOT
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. The board of fire district
commissioners may adopt a resolution providing that such election
inspectors and ballot clerks shall be paid for their respective services
at any such annual election or at any special election of the fire
district. Such resolution, if adopted, shall fix the amount of such
compensation as follows: if the hours during which the polls will be
open for the receipt of ballots are from six o'clock in the evening
until nine o'clock in the evening, a sum not to exceed thirty-five
dollars for each such official; if additional consecutive hours prior to
six o'clock in the evening are determined and specified in the notice of
election, a sum not to exceed fifty dollars for each such official. No
elective officer of the fire district shall serve as an election inspec-
tor or ballot clerk.
S 34. Subdivision 1, the opening paragraph and paragraph (a) of subdi-
vision 2, the opening paragraph of subdivision 3 and subdivisions 5 and
6 of section 175-a of the town law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
169 of the laws of 1997, the opening paragraph and paragraph (a) of
S. 4948 17
subdivision 2, the opening paragraph of subdivision 3 and subdivision 5
as added by chapter 202 of the laws of 1984 and subdivision 6 as amended
by chapter 456 of the laws of 1986, are amended to read as follows:
1. The board of fire commissioners of any fire district may provide by
resolution, that a proposition be submitted at any annual fire district
election providing that additional personal registration of voters not
registered with the board of elections shall be permitted for all
elections in such fire district NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF
ELECTIONS. Such additional personal registration may be terminated by a
resolution of the board of fire commissioners and the passage of a
proposition at any annual fire district election.
Registration for all fire district elections NOT CONDUCTED BY THE
COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS shall be conducted as follows:
(a) Only those persons registered with the board of elections on or
before the [twenty-third] TWENTY-FIRST day before such election and
those persons whose names are placed on the fire district register
pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be entitled to vote in
such district.
The register for the annual fire district election FOR DISTRICT
ELECTIONS NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS shall be
prepared in each fire district by the inspectors of election thereof on
the days prior to registration day, if any, designated therefor, on the
registration day, if any, at the times and places designated by the
resolution of the board of fire commissioners. In preparing such regis-
ter, the inspectors of election shall comply with the following proce-
dure:
5. Registration for special fire district elections FOR DISTRICT
ELECTIONS NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS shall be held
in the same manner as is provided herein for annual fire district
elections, and registration days therefor shall be the same as if said
special fire district election were the annual fire district election.
6. In lieu of the provisions for designating the chairman, election
inspectors and ballot clerks, as set forth in subdivision one of section
one hundred seventy-five of this [chapter] ARTICLE, the board of fire
commissioners shall, by resolution adopted at least forty days prior to
the annual fire district election FOR DISTRICT ELECTIONS NOT CONDUCTED
BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, designate a resident fire district
elector to act as chairman of any election of said district and shall
designate not less than two nor more than four resident fire district
electors to act as election inspectors and ballot clerks in such
election. Such resolution shall fix the compensation of the chairman and
inspectors and, in addition, the board of fire commissioners may provide
for alternate inspectors who shall assume the office of inspector upon
the inability or refusal of an inspector to assume or perform his duties
and for any clerical help which they may deem necessary. Such clerical
help shall perform their duties under the direction and control of the
chairman and inspectors of election.
S 35. Subdivisions 7, 8 and 29 of section 176 of the town law, subdi-
vision 7 as amended by chapter 35 of the laws of 1996, subdivision 8 as
amended by chapter 602 of the laws of 1947 and subdivision 29 as added
by chapter 568 of the laws of 1949, are amended to read as follows:
7. Shall require that candidates for district offices file their names
with the secretary of the fire district OR, IF THE ELECTION FOR DISTRICT
OFFICES IS CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, WITH SUCH COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS, at least twenty days prior to the date of such fire
district elections and in addition may provide by resolution that such
S. 4948 18
nominations be submitted in petition form subscribed by AT LEAST twen-
ty-five qualified voters of the district. Thereafter the ballots
prepared for the election of fire district officers shall specify the
names of the candidates duly filed and in addition provide proper blank
spaces for each office to be filled at such election. If any such resol-
ution shall be adopted, the requirements thereof shall be specified in
the notice of each fire district election held thereafter. The board of
fire commissioners may rescind such resolution at any time and thereaft-
er fire district officers shall be elected as otherwise provided herein.
8. Shall appoint officials for fire district elections NOT CONDUCTED
BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS as provided in section one hundred
seventy-five of this chapter and may provide for their compensation
pursuant to such section.
29. May authorize the use of voting machines at any annual or special
election held within the fire district and such voting machine shall be
used in accordance with the provisions contained in [article nine of]
the election law.
S 36. Section 176 of the town law is amended by adding a new subdivi-
sion 35 to read as follows:
35. MAY ADOPT A RESOLUTION, SUBJECT TO A PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM,
PROVIDING THAT ALL ELECTIONS IN SUCH FIRE DISTRICT SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY
THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. UPON APPROVAL OF SUCH A RESOLUTION BY THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND BY THE VOTERS IN A PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM, IF
A VALID PETITION FOR SUCH A REFERENDUM IS TIMELY FILED, THE COUNTY BOARD
OF ELECTIONS SHALL CONDUCT ALL ELECTIONS REQUIRED TO BE HELD IN SUCH
FIRE DISTRICT. SUCH RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT FOR THE FIRST SUCH
ELECTION HELD MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER ITS ADOPTION AND SHALL CONTINUE
IN EFFECT FOR ALL SUCH ELECTIONS UNTIL A SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING
OTHERWISE SHALL, IN A LIKE MANNER, HAVE TAKEN EFFECT.
S 37. Section 212 of the town law, as amended by chapter 421 of the
laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
S 212. Annual election and notice thereof. The district commissioners
of such improvement district shall publish at the expense of the
district the notice of each election of improvement district commission-
ers held pursuant to this article WHICH IS NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS. Such notice shall be published at least once in one
or more newspapers having general circulation in the district and the
first publication thereof shall be at least twenty days before the day
of such election. The notice of annual election shall specify the time
when and the place or places where such election shall be held and the
hours during which the polls will be open for the receipt of ballots.
Notice of such election shall also be posted on the websites of the
district and the town in which the district is located, if such websites
are maintained, on the signboard of the town, and conspicuously posted
in three or more designated public locations within the district, on or
about the day on which such notice is published. Such election shall be
held at a suitable place or places within the district designated by the
district commissioners and the polls shall remain open from six o'clock
in the evening until nine o'clock in the evening and such additional
consecutive hours prior thereto as the district commissioners may deter-
mine and specify in the notice of such election. The board of commis-
sioners of such district shall designate for each district election NOT
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS not less than two nor more
than four resident taxpayers to act as election inspectors and ballot
clerks for each designated polling place. The board of commissioners
shall fix the compensation of such election inspectors and ballot clerks
S. 4948 19
in an amount not to exceed ten dollars per hour each for every hour or
part thereof of such service and such compensation shall be a charge
against the district. The board of commissioners shall cause to be
prepared the ballots for all elections NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD
OF ELECTIONS, and may authorize the use of voting machines approved by
the [secretary of] state BOARD OF ELECTIONS at any SUCH annual or
special election of the district in accordance with [article nine of]
the election law. After the polls shall have been closed at any
election, the election inspectors and ballot clerks at each polling
place shall immediately canvass the ballots cast and shall publicly
announce the result of the vote at that polling place. Within twenty-
four hours the chairman of the board of commissioners, election inspec-
tors and ballot clerks shall execute and file a certificate of the
result of the canvass with the board of commissioners of the improvement
district and with the clerk of the town in which said district is
located.
S 38. Subdivision 1, the opening paragraph and paragraph (a) of subdi-
vision 2, the opening paragraph of subdivision 3 and subdivisions 4 and
5 of section 213-a of the town law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
530 of the laws of 1992, the opening paragraph and paragraph (a) of
subdivision 2, the opening paragraph of subdivision 3 and subdivisions 4
and 5 as added by chapter 400 of the laws of 1985, are amended to read
as follows:
1. The board of commissioners of any improvement district in which
commissioners are elected may provide by resolution that a proposition
be submitted at any annual improvement district election providing that
additional personal registration of voters not registered with the board
of elections shall be permitted for all elections in such improvement
district NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
Registration for all improvement district elections NOT CONDUCTED BY
THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS shall be conducted as follows:
(a) Only those persons registered with the board of elections on or
before the [twenty-third] TWENTY-FIRST day before such election and
those persons whose names are placed on the improvement district regis-
ter pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be entitled to vote
in such district.
The register for [the] ANY annual improvement district election NOT
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS shall be prepared in each
district by the inspectors of election thereof on the days prior to
registration day, if any, designated therefor, AND on the registration
day, if any, at the times and places designated by the resolution of the
board of commissioners. In preparing such register, the inspectors of
election shall comply with the following procedure:
4. The SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE improvement
district [secretary] shall furnish the inspectors of election, at
district expense, with all necessary registration books, papers, equip-
ment and supplies.
5. In lieu of the provisions for designating the election inspectors
and ballot clerks, as set forth in section two hundred twelve of this
[chapter] ARTICLE, in improvement districts where additional personal
registration is permitted FOR DISTRICT ELECTIONS NOT CONDUCTED BY THE
COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, the board of commissioners shall, by resol-
ution adopted at least forty days prior to the annual district election,
designate a resident improvement district elector to act as chairman of
any election of said district and shall designate not less than two nor
more than four resident district electors to act as election inspectors
S. 4948 20
and ballot clerks in ANY such election. Such resolution shall fix the
compensation of the chairman and inspectors and, in addition, the board
of commissioners may provide for alternate inspectors who shall assume
the office of inspector upon the inability or refusal of an inspector to
assume or perform his duties and for any clerical help which they may
deem necessary. Such clerical help shall perform their duties under the
direction and control of the chairman and inspectors of election.
S 39. Subdivision 1 of section 213-b of the town law, as added by
chapter 400 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
1. The board of commissioners of any improvement district in which
commissioners are elected, may, by resolution, provide for absentee
ballots for the election of the commission[, in accordance with]. SUCH
ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ELECTIONS NOT CONDUCTED BY THE
COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL BE CAST PURSUANT TO the provisions of
this section. SUCH ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ELECTIONS
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL BE CAST PURSUANT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTION LAW. Such resolution shall take effect at the
first such election held more than sixty days after its adoption and
shall continue in effect for all such elections until a subsequent
resolution providing otherwise shall, in like manner, have taken effect.
S 40. Subdivision 20 of section 215 of the town law, as amended by
chapter 400 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
20. [May] SHALL provide by resolution that candidates for district
offices shall file their names with the secretary of the board of
commissioners OR, IF THE ELECTION FOR DISTRICT OFFICES IS CONDUCTED BY
THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, WITH SUCH COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, at
least thirty days prior to the date of the district elections, and, in
addition, require that such nominations FOR DISTRICT ELECTIONS NOT
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS be submitted in petition form
subscribed by twenty-five registered voters of the district. Thereaft-
er, the ballots for the election of district officers shall specify the
names of the candidates duly filed and, in addition, provide proper
blank spaces for each office to be filled at such election. If any such
resolution shall be adopted, the requirements thereof shall be specified
in the notice of each district election NOT CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY
BOARD OF ELECTIONS held thereafter. The board of commissioners may
rescind such resolution at any time and thereafter district officers
shall be elected as otherwise provided herein.
S 41. Section 215 of the town law is amended by adding a new subdivi-
sion 24 to read as follows:
24. MAY ADOPT A RESOLUTION, SUBJECT TO A PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM,
PROVIDING THAT ALL ELECTIONS IN SUCH IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT SHALL BE
CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. UPON APPROVAL OF SUCH A
RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND BY THE VOTERS IN A PERMIS-
SIVE REFERENDUM, IF A VALID PETITION FOR SUCH A REFERENDUM IS TIMELY
FILED, THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL CONDUCT ALL ELECTIONS
REQUIRED TO BE HELD IN SUCH IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. SUCH RESOLUTION SHALL
TAKE EFFECT FOR THE FIRST SUCH ELECTION HELD MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS AFTER
ITS ADOPTION AND SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT FOR ALL SUCH ELECTIONS UNTIL A
SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING OTHERWISE SHALL, IN A LIKE MANNER, HAVE
TAKEN EFFECT.
S 42. Paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 24 of the municipal home
rule law, as amended by chapter 271 of the laws of 1986, is amended to
read as follows:
a. A local law adopted by a county, city or town and subject to refer-
endum on petition as provided in this section or in any other state
S. 4948 21
statute, if not also subject to mandatory referendum, shall not take
effect until at least forty-five days after its adoption; nor until
approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors
of the local government voting on a proposition for its approval if
within forty-five days after its adoption there be filed with the clerk
a petition protesting against such local law, signed and authenticated
as herein required by qualified electors of such local government,
registered to vote therein at the last preceding general election, in
number equal to at least ten per centum of the total number of votes
cast for governor at the last gubernatorial election in such local
government. If such petition be so filed, a proposition for the approval
of such local law shall be submitted at the next general election of
state or local government officers held in such local government not
less than sixty days after the filing of such petition, unless the peti-
tion request and the legislative body adopt a local law submitting such
proposition at a special election held not less than sixty days after
the adoption of the local law providing for such special election,
EXCEPT THAT IF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS, THE DATE FIXED FOR SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION MAY NOT BE WITHIN
THIRTY DAYS OF A GENERAL OR SPECIAL ELECTION CONDUCTED BY SUCH BOARD OF
ELECTIONS. The petition may be made upon separate sheets, and the
signatures to each sheet shall be signed and authenticated in the manner
provided by the election law for the signing and authentication of nomi-
nating petitions so far as applicable. The several sheets so signed and
authenticated, when fastened together and offered for filing, shall be
deemed to constitute one petition. The clerk shall examine each such
petition so filed with him and not later than thirty days after the date
of its filing, or forty-five days before the day of the election at
which such referendum would appear on the ballot, whichever is earlier,
shall transmit to the legislative body a certificate that he has exam-
ined it and has found that it complies or does not comply, as the case
may be, with all the requirements of law. If within five days after the
last day to file such certificate a written objection to the determi-
nation of the clerk be filed with the supreme court, or any justice
thereof, of a judicial district in which such local government or any
part thereof is located, such court or justice shall determine any ques-
tion arising thereunder and make such order as justice may require.
Such proceeding shall be heard and determined in the manner prescribed
by section 16-116 of the election law.
S 43. This act shall take effect on the first of September next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.