NY State Senate Bill 2021-S1277A

Senate Bill S1277A

Signed By Governor

2021-2022 Legislative Session

Provides for online and in-person instruction and examination of election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A4257 - Signed by Governor

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jul 27, 2021	signed chap.310
Jul 21, 2021	delivered to governor
Jun 09, 2021	returned to assembly passed senate 3rd reading cal.1686 substituted for s1277a
Jun 09, 2021	substituted by a4257a ordered to third reading cal.1686 committee discharged and committed to rules
May 03, 2021	print number 1277a
May 03, 2021	amend (t) and recommit to elections
Jan 08, 2021	referred to elections

Votes

- Jun 9, 2021 - Floor Vote
  A4257
  
  63
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 9, 2021
      
      aye (63)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Akshar
      
      Bailey
      
      Benjamin
      
      Biaggi
      
      Borrello
      
      Boyle
      
      Breslin
      
      Brisport
      
      Brooks
      
      Brouk
      
      Comrie
      
      Cooney
      
      Felder
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gaughran
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hinchey
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Jordan
      
      Kaminsky
      
      Kaplan
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Mannion
      
      Martucci
      
      Mattera
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Oberacker
      
      Ortt
      
      Palumbo
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Rath III
      
      Reichlin-Melnick
      
      Ritchie
      
      Rivera
      
      Ryan
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Savino
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serino
      
      Serrano
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stec
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Tedisco
      
      Thomas
      
      Weik
  Jun 9, 2021 - Rules Committee Vote
  S1277A
  
  20
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  1
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: Jun 9, 2021
      
      aye (20)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Bailey
      
      Benjamin
      
      Biaggi
      
      Boyle
      
      Breslin
      
      Comrie
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Griffo
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Mayer
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Ritchie
      
      Savino
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      aye wr (1)
      
      O'Mara

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2021-S1277 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4257
Law Section:: Election Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §3-412, El L
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:: S6635, A8514

2021-S1277 - Summary

Provides for online and in-person instruction and examination of election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators.

2021-S1277 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S1277

SPONSOR: KRUEGER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the election law, in relation to providing for electron-
ic administration of examinations of election inspectors, poll clerks
and election coordinators

 
PURPOSE:

To provide for electronic administration of instruction and examinations
for election inspectors, poll clerks, and election coordinators and to
remove the annual course requirement for reappointed election officials

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

  Section  1:  Amends  section 3-412 of the election law to provide that
instruction and examinations for election inspectors, poll  clerks,  and
election  coordinators  shall  be  offered  both  electronically  and in
person.

Removes the requirement that the course of instruction  be  taken  every
year.  After  taking  the  course  and passing the examination the first
year, election inspectors, poll clerks, and election  coordinators  will
be  required to pass the examination on an annual basis, but will not be
required to retake the course.

Provides for notice of electronic instruction and examination.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Attracting and retaining qualified election inspectors, poll clerks  and
election  coordinators  is  a  problem for many local boards of election
across the state. This legislation modernizes the practices of  adminis-
tering examinations and courses of instruction by providing the opportu-
nity to complete these requirements online. It also removes that mandate
that  the course of instruction be taken annually. This will allow expe-
rienced election officials to demonstrate their competence by completing
the exam without repeating a time-consuming course every year.

Allowing an electronic option and changing the course requirement  would
likely also reduce costs for local boards of elections.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S.6635/A.8514 Epstein - Died in Committee
New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Potential savings to local boards of elections

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This  act  shall  take  effect  on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, amendment or repeal of any rule  or
regulation necessary for the implementation of this law on its effective
date are authorized to be made or completed on or before such date.

2021-S1277 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   1277
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              January 8, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
 
 AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to providing for electron-
   ic administration of examinations of election inspectors, poll  clerks
   and election coordinators

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 3-412 of the election  law,
 as  amended  by  chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, are amended to read as
 follows:
   1. Each board of elections shall, at least once every year, conduct  a
 mandatory school for the instruction of election inspectors, poll clerks
 and  election  coordinators.  [They]  EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION
 THREE OF THIS SECTION, THEY shall be given written  notice  stating  the
 time and place at which such school or schools shall be held.
   3.  Election  inspectors,  poll  clerks  and  election coordinators as
 required by this section shall, upon their  original  designation[,  and
 every  year  thereafter,] complete a course of instruction[, and, before
 certification, pass an examination thereon] WHICH SHALL BE OFFERED  BOTH
 ELECTRONICALLY  AND  IN  PERSON. BEFORE CERTIFICATION FOR THEIR ORIGINAL
 DESIGNATION AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER ELECTION INSPECTORS,  POLL  CLERKS
 AND ELECTION COORDINATORS SHALL PASS AN EXAMINATION THEREON WHICH MAY BE
 ADMINISTERED  ELECTRONICALLY  OR IN PERSON. The state board of elections
 shall supply each board of elections with instructional material  to  be
 used  in  the preparation for such examinations and shall give each such
 board of elections uniform directions for the conduct of  such  examina-
 tions  AND  NOTICE  REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINA-
 TIONS, which, it shall be the duty of the board to  follow.  Every  such
 board  may  utilize additional materials selected by it in the course of
 instruction. No person taking such examination  shall  be  permitted  to
 know  the  questions  or  answers  in  advance or be given access to the
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD02134-01-1

 S. 1277                             2
 
 answers during the examination. If such inspectors or clerks  pass  such
 examination,  the  board  of  elections  shall  certify  the  designated
 election inspector or poll clerk.
   §  2.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such date.

2021-S1277A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4257
Law Section:: Election Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §3-412, El L
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:: S6635, A8514

2021-S1277A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides for online and in-person instruction and examination of election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators.

2021-S1277A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S1277A

SPONSOR: KRUEGER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the election law, in relation to providing for online
and in-person instruction and examination of election inspectors, poll
clerks and election coordinators

 
PURPOSE:

To provide for electronic administration of instruction and examinations
for election inspectors, poll clerks, and election coordinators and to
remove the annual course requirement for reappointed election officials

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends section 3-412 of the election law to provide that
instruction and examinations for election inspectors, poll clerks, and
election coordinators shall be offered both electronically and in
person. Removes the requirement that the course of instruction be taken

every year. After taking the course and passing the examination the
first year, election inspectors, poll clerks, and election coordinators
will be required to pass the examination on an annual basis, but will
not be required to retake the course.

Provides for notice of electronic instruction and examination.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Attracting and retaining qualified election inspectors, poll clerks and
election coordinators is a problem for many local boards of election
across the state. This legislation modernizes the practices of adminis-
tering examinations and courses of instruction by providing the opportu-
nity to complete these requirements online. It also removes that mandate
that the course of instruction be taken annually. This will allow expe-
rienced election officials to demonstrate their competence by completing
the exam without repeating a time-consuming course every year.

Allowing an electronic option and changing the course requirement would
likely also reduce costs for local boards of elections.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S.6635/A.8514 Epstein - Died in Committee
New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Potential savings to local boards of elections

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, amendment or repeal of any rule or
regulation necessary for the implementation of this law on its effective
date are authorized to be made or completed on or before such date.

2021-S1277A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  1277--A
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              January 8, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Elections  --  committee
   discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
   to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the election law, in relation to providing for online
   and in-person instruction and examination of election inspectors, poll
   clerks and election coordinators
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Subdivisions  1, 3 and 5 of section 3-412 of the election
 law, subdivisions 1 and 3 as amended by chapter 180 of the laws of 2005,
 and subdivision 5 as added by chapter 510  of  the  laws  of  1985,  are
 amended to read as follows:
   1.  Each board of elections shall, at least once every year, conduct a
 mandatory school for the instruction of election inspectors, poll clerks
 and election coordinators. [They]  SUCH  INSTRUCTION  MAY  BE  GIVEN  IN
 PERSON OR ONLINE, PROVIDED THAT ONLINE INSTRUCTION SHALL BE OFFERED OVER
 A  TWO  WEEK  PERIOD  THAT  INCLUDES THE DATE FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.
 CERTAIN  ONLINE  PARTICIPANTS  MAY  BE  REQUIRED  TO  SUPPLEMENT  ONLINE
 INSTRUCTION  WITH  IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION THAT INCLUDES THE USE OF VOTING
 MACHINES OR OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING SPECIALIZED TRAINING. WRITTEN NOTICE
 shall be given [written notice] TO PARTICIPANTS  stating  the  time  and
 place  at  which such [school or schools] IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION shall be
 held, THE OPTION TO OBTAIN INSTRUCTION ONLINE WITH DIRECTION ON  HOW  TO
 ACCESS  THE  ONLINE  OPTION,  AND IDENTIFYING THE PARTICIPANTS THAT MUST
 ATTEND IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION IN ADDITION TO ONLINE INSTRUCTION.
   3. Election inspectors,  poll  clerks  and  election  coordinators  as
 required  by  this  section  shall, upon their original designation, and
 every year thereafter, complete a course  of  instruction,  and,  before
 certification,  pass  an  examination thereon. SUCH EXAMINATION SHALL BE
 GIVEN BOTH ONLINE AND IN PERSON, PROVIDED THAT THOSE PARTICIPANTS  WHOSE
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD02134-03-1

 S. 1277--A                          2
 
 INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDE THE USE OF VOTING MACHINES OR OTHER MATTERS REQUIR-
 ING  SPECIALIZED TRAINING MAY BE REQUIRED TO PASS AN EXAMINATION ON SUCH
 MATTERS IN PERSON. The state board of elections shall supply each  board
 of  elections  with instructional material to be used in the preparation
 for such examinations and  shall  give  each  such  board  of  elections
 uniform  directions  for  the  conduct of such examinations, which[,] it
 shall be the duty of the board to follow. Every such board  may  utilize
 additional  materials  selected  by  it in the course of instruction. No
 person taking such examination shall be permitted to know the  questions
 or answers in advance or be given access to the answers during the exam-
 ination.  If such inspectors [or], POLL clerks OR COORDINATORS pass such
 examination,  the  board  of  elections  shall  certify  the  designated
 election inspector [or], poll clerk OR COORDINATOR.
   5.  Each  board of elections shall reproduce a booklet of instructions
 for [inspectors] PARTICIPANTS prepared by the state board of  elections.
 A  copy  of  such  booklet,  OR  DIGITAL VERSION, shall be given to each
 [inspector] PARTICIPANT at the time such [inspector] PARTICIPANT attends
 the course of instruction. At least one copy of such  booklet  shall  be
 included  with  the  supplies  sent  to  each election district for each
 election and day of local registration.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal  of  any  rule  or regulation necessary for the implementation of
 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made  and  completed
 on or before such date.

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