NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9661
SPONSOR: Thiele TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the election law, in relation to
permitting persons registered to vote but not enrolled in a party to
vote in the presidential primary
PURPOSE:
To allow for open presidential primaries in New York State by permitting
persons registered to vote, but not enrolled in a party, to vote in the
presidential primary.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1-104 of the Election Law is amended by adding a new subdivision
38 defining the term "undeclared voter" to mean a person registered to
vote and who is not enrolled in a party pursuant to Article 5 of this
chapter relating the registration and enrollment of voters.
Section 2. Amends the Election Law by adding a new Section 2-123 estab-
lishing guidelines relating to open presidential primaries for unde-
clared voters in New York State.
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, voters may only vote in a primary election for candidates of
their same registered political party. Non-partisan and independent
voters do not have the ability to participate in the nominating process,
thereby, suppressing voter turnout and hindering participation in the
election process. This legislation would amend the Election Law to
define the term "undeclared voter" to mean a person registered to vote
and who is not enrolled in a political party to vote in the presidential
primary of any party. This will give all registered voters in New York
State the opportunity to actively participate in the democratic nomi-
nation process of a candidate in a presidential primary.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2016: New Legislation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
