STATE OF NEW YORK
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1719
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
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Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- 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 poll watchers for
special, town or village elections being held for the sole purpose of
a ballot proposal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 8-500 of the election law,
2 as amended by chapter 373 of the laws of 1978, are amended to read as
3 follows:
4 1. At any general, special, town or village election, any party
5 committee or independent body whose candidates are upon the ballot, and
6 when a special, town or village election is being held for the sole
7 purpose of a ballot proposal or proposals, the board of elections of the
8 county in which the election is being held and at any primary election,
9 any two or more candidates and any political committee may have for each
10 election district three watchers at any one time, not more than one of
11 whom may be within the guard rail at any one time. Watchers shall be
12 appointed by the chairman of any such party, committee or independent
13 body or by the candidates or by the board of elections, upon request,
14 for a special, town or village election that is being held for the sole
15 purpose of a ballot proposal or proposals. In such elections, the board
16 of elections shall appoint watchers in a manner that ensures equitable
17 representation of organizations or individuals that are advocating the
18 passage or defeat of the ballot proposal or proposals.
19 3. The appointment of watchers for any election shall be by a certif-
20 icate in writing issued by the chairman or secretary of the political
21 party or independent body, [or] the candidates or the board of
22 elections. Such certificate shall be delivered to an inspector at the
23 election district.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01963-01-7
S. 1719 2
1 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
2 have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the
3 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
4 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
5 and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
