Bill > S00752

This bill makes technical changes to New York's election law regarding ballot drop boxes, expanding the definition and usage of drop boxes for both absentee and early voting ballots. The bill updates terminology by removing the word "absentee" from references to ballot drop boxes and clarifies that these secure receptacles can be used for both absentee ballots (Section 8-410) and early voting mail ballots (Section 8-708). Each county board of elections is authorized to establish one or more ballot drop-off locations and must provide public notice of their locations on their website. The State Board of Elections will be responsible for creating rules and regulations governing these drop boxes, including guidelines for location, chain of custody, pick-up times, labeling, and security. The bill also modifies provisions for how ballots deposited in these drop boxes will be counted, specifying that ballots placed in a drop box before the polls close on election day will be considered timely, and boards of elections must close and collect ballots from these drop boxes at the end of election day. These changes aim to provide voters with more flexible options for returning their ballots while maintaining election security and integrity.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S752