BILL NUMBER:  S2810

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the election law, in relation to use of certain
titles, initials or abbreviations of names as signatures on absentee
ballots


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
To amend the election law so as to allow registered voters to validly
sign their name in the same manner currently allowed on designating
petitions.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
Section one amends section 8-400 of the election law by renumbering
the current subdivisions 6, 7, 8 and 9 and adding a new subdivision 6
which provides that use of titles, initials or customary abbreviations
of the given names of a signer or witness to an absentee ballot
request letter, absentee ballot application or an absentee ballot
envelope shall not invalidate such signatures or witness statement
provided that the identity of the signer or witness can be established
by reference to the signature on the absentee ballot request letter,
the absentee ballot application form or the absentee ballot envelope
and that of a person whose name appears in the registration poll
ledgers.

              

Section two amends section 8-506 of the election law, as amended by
chapter 8 of the laws of 1978, by adding that the permissive use of
titles, initials or customary abbreviations of given names does not
effect the validity of the signature on the ballot envelope with
regard to the signature corresponding to the signature on the
registration poll record.

Section three establishes the effective date as the first of January
after the date upon which this bill shall have become law.

 JUSTIFICATION :
It is common for people to sign their own name in different ways,
i.e., with or without a middle initial. Currently, election law allows
the use of titles, initials or customary abbreviations of given names
by signers of, or witnesses to, a petition that designates a candidate
for nomination to public office. As long as the identity of the signer
or witness may be established by reference to the signature on the
petition and to that of a person whose name appears on the
registration poll ledgers a signature is valid. Customary
abbreviations of addresses are, similarly, allowed and will not
invalidate a signature on a petition.  Therefore, allowing the use of
titles, initials or customary abbreviations on an absentee ballot
request letter, absentee ballot application form or absentee ballot
envelope should be permitted and should not invalidate an absentee
ballot if the identity of the signer or witness may be established by,
similarly, referencing the signature on the request letter,
application form or ballot and to that of a person whose name appears
on the registration poll ledgers.  The same standard used for
signatures on petitions should apply to absentee ballots where a sworn
statement must accompany the absentee ballot request letter.
Additionally, a challenge to a voter shall be allowed if the identity
of the voter or witness can not be established by reference to any
signature on the registration poll record, notwithstanding the
permissive use of titles, initials or customary abbreviations of given
names.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
A.1016, 2008 and 2007 advanced to third reading. A.10902-A, 2006
passed assembly. Same as A.7656-B, 2006 referred to elections
committee.
 FISCAL IMPLICATION :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
On the first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall
have become a law.