BILL NUMBER:  S1300

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the election law, in relation to providing a "None of
the Above" option on ballots in certain uncontested elections

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

The purpose of the bill is to provide for a "None of the Above" option
on ballots in certain uncontested elections.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 2-a of section 7-116 of the
election law to require that in every uncontested statewide, senate or
assembly election, the officer or board who prepares the ballot shall
provide an option that a voter may select that reads: NONE OF THE
ABOVE.

In addition, this section specifies that only votes cast for the named
candidate shall be counted in determining the nomination or election
to any office, However, the number of ballots on which "NONE OF THE
ABOVE" was chosen shall be listed following the name of the candidate
and the number of votes for each office in every posting, abstract and
proclamation of the results.
              

Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :

In 1975, Nevada became the first state to offer a "none of these
candidates" (also referred to as a "none of the above") line on their
electoral ballots. The non-binding ballot line was intended to provide
voters who did not support the candidates at hand with an alternative.
Rather than feel forced to cast their vote for a candidate they do not
support, or choose not to vote at all, the "none of the above" ballot
line has given voters the option to cast a protest vote, while
encouraging continued participation in the electoral process.

This bill would make New York the second state to implement a 'protest
vote' option.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015-16: S.5051-A (Avella)

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.