Bill > A09314

This bill modifies New York election law to prohibit local election boards from purchasing direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines, which are electronic machines that record votes directly without a paper trail. Instead, local boards must purchase optical scan machines that tabulate paper ballots and ballot marking devices. The bill requires every polling place to provide voters with two options: either hand-marking a paper ballot or using a ballot marking device (which helps voters mark their ballot but does not count the votes) to create a paper ballot. Existing voting machines and systems purchased before this law takes effect can continue to be used if they are designed to work with paper ballots that meet specific legal requirements. The law would take effect immediately upon passage, mandating a shift towards paper-based voting systems that provide a physical record of votes and offer more transparency in the voting process. The goal appears to be increasing election security and voter confidence by ensuring a verifiable paper trail for all votes cast.