Bill > A04449

This bill aims to prohibit "ballot harvesting," which is the practice of collecting and submitting another person's absentee ballot. Under the proposed law, it would be illegal to submit an absentee ballot application on behalf of another voter without specific conditions. Individuals may submit an application for another voter only if they are a family member within three degrees of consanguinity (blood relation) or have obtained a notarized consent from the voter within 30 days of the application. Similarly, collecting, distributing, or submitting absentee ballots would be restricted to family members, caregivers (with a notarized statement), election officials, postal service employees, and delivery couriers who are performing their official duties. The bill establishes penalties for violating these rules, with willful violations considered a class D felony and other violations considered a class A misdemeanor. The legislation would take effect on the first of November following its enactment, and is designed to prevent potential voter fraud and ensure the integrity of absentee voting by limiting who can handle another person's ballot.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4449