Bill > A05301

This bill clarifies and updates the rules for obtaining absentee ballots in school district elections where poll registration is not used. The legislation modifies existing education law to provide more precise language about who can request an absentee ballot and what information must be included in their application. Key changes include updating gender-specific language to be more inclusive (replacing "he or she" with gender-neutral terms), expanding the reasons for absentee voting, and requiring more detailed information on applications such as date of birth, mailing address, and specific circumstances for being absent from voting. The bill allows voters to obtain an absentee ballot if they expect to be absent from their county, unable to appear at the polling place due to illness or disability, caring for someone who is ill or disabled, are a patient in a hospital (including veteran's hospitals), or are detained in jail awaiting trial or confined after a non-felony conviction. The legislation also streamlines the application process and ensures that voters with permanent disabilities can more easily receive absentee ballots in future elections without repeatedly submitting full applications.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5301