Bill > A00997

This bill requires county and city boards of elections to automatically mail absentee ballots to all registered and qualified voters, representing a significant change in voting procedures. Under the new provisions, ballots must be mailed between 20 and 14 days before a scheduled election, and will be sent to the voter's address on their registration records or an alternative address specified by the voter. For primary elections, voters will only receive the ballot for the political party in which they are enrolled, and in uncontested primaries, no ballot will be sent. The bill also introduces new flexibility for voters, allowing them to designate a single person to mail or deliver their completed ballot to the county board of elections, with the designated person required to certify they will not handle any other ballots. Additionally, the bill mandates that boards of elections provide postage-paid return envelopes for absentee ballots, whether mailed or delivered in person, which aims to reduce barriers to voting by eliminating potential postage costs. The legislation repeals previous sections of the election law related to absentee voting and is designed to make voting more accessible by ensuring all qualified voters can easily receive an absentee ballot.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A997