Bill > A01734

This bill amends New York state election law to require voting machines to reject ballots containing votes for candidates who have officially withdrawn from an election, starting January 1, 2027. When such a ballot is rejected, the voting machine must provide a notice to the voter explaining which candidate is no longer running and instructing the voter to complete a new ballot. The bill builds upon existing requirements for voting machines, which already include provisions for alternative language accessibility and preventing wireless data transmission. The State Board of Elections is authorized to create rules and regulations to implement this new requirement. This change aims to prevent voters from inadvertently casting votes for candidates who are no longer in the race, thereby reducing potential confusion in the electoral process. The implementation of this provision is delayed until 2027, giving election officials and voting machine manufacturers time to update their systems and procedures to comply with the new requirement.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1734