Bill > A05302

This bill empowers the commissioner of education to declare an additional voting day for school district annual meetings and elections if a disaster (defined broadly as events like fires, earthquakes, tornados, power failures, or enemy attacks) prevents sufficient voter participation. Specifically, if less than eight percent of registered voters cast ballots due to a disaster, the commissioner can authorize a second voting day to be held between seven and fourteen days after the original election. The board of education will determine the polling hours, which must be at least eleven hours long, and must publish notices in local newspapers and on the district's website. Only voters who did not participate in the original election may vote on this additional day, and voting must be done in-person at polling places. The bill clarifies that this additional voting day is not a resubmission of the original ballot items, and existing absentee or special ballots from the first election remain valid. The provisions of this bill will take effect on July 1, 2026, providing school districts with a mechanism to ensure democratic participation in the event of significant disruptive events.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5302