Bill > S03735

This bill empowers the commissioner of education to declare an additional voting day for school district annual meetings and elections if a disaster (such as a fire, earthquake, tornado, explosion, power failure, or enemy attack) substantially impacts voter turnout, specifically if less than eight percent of registered voters cast ballots. The additional voting day must be held between seven and fourteen days after the original election, with the board of education determining the polling hours (which must be at least eleven hours). Only voters who did not vote on the original election day can participate in this additional voting day, and they must vote in-person at the polling place. The school district must publish notice of the additional voting day in local newspapers and on its website, and the county board of elections must provide the same voting machines used in the original election. The bill aims to ensure fair representation and voting opportunities in school district elections when a disaster significantly prevents voter participation. The provisions will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3735