Bill > S00417

This bill enacts the "Count Every Vote Act of New York" and amends the state election law to modify the procedures for recounting votes in certain close elections. The bill establishes specific criteria for triggering a hand recount of ballots, including when the margin of victory is 20 votes or less, when the margin is 0.5% or less, or in large elections where the margin is less than 5,000 votes. The bill redefines "margin of victory" to mean the difference between votes for the winning and losing candidates or ballot proposals, and provides a precise method for calculating this percentage by dividing the margin by the total number of ballots cast and multiplying by 100. For contests spanning multiple counties or jurisdictions, the state board of elections will determine the margin of victory based on recanvass results. The bill also mandates that a full hand recount can only begin after completing an initial recanvass, and specifies that the results of the hand recount will supersede the original election district returns. This legislation aims to enhance election transparency and ensure more accurate vote counting in close electoral contests.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S417