Bill > S05696

This bill amends New York state law to enhance protections for election officers by expanding criminal penalties in three key areas. First, it adds election officers to the list of protected personnel under the assault in the second degree statute, making it a Class D felony to intentionally cause physical injury to an election officer while they are performing their official duties. Second, it modifies the obstruction of governmental administration law to explicitly include election officers, allowing prosecution of individuals who intentionally prevent or attempt to prevent an election officer from performing their official function through intimidation, physical force, interference, or other unlawful acts. Third, the bill creates a new provision in the aggravated harassment statute that makes it a crime to strike, shove, kick, or otherwise physically contact an election officer with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm them while they are performing their official duties. The bill aims to provide additional legal protection for election workers, who play a crucial role in the democratic process, by creating stronger deterrents and clearer legal mechanisms to prosecute those who would interfere with or assault them during elections.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5696