BILL NUMBER:S2348                REVISED 02/17/11

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the election law, in relation to watchers

PURPOSE:
The bill authorizes attorneys to be poll watchers anywhere in New York
if they are state residents and licensed to practice law in the state.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends Election Law section 8-500(4) to allow attorneys who
are state residents and licensed to practice law in the state to
require be watchers anywhere in the State.

Section 2: Provides for the Act to take effect immediately.

EXISTING LAW:
Under current law, a poll watcher must be registered to vote in the
county in which he is to serve.

JUSTIFICATION:
Attorneys licensed to practice law in New York are not restricted in
their practices to any locality or court. They may practice before
any court in the state, as well as before the boards of elections
everywhere in the state. They are also trained as observers and to
              

accurately report their observations. There should be no restriction
on their ability to be in a polling place on election day, where
their skills can be invaluable in both detecting improper conduct,
such as voter intimidation and suppression, and electioneering, and
in obtaining a quick resolution of such unlawful conduct by reporting
it to the appropriate authorities, including election day judges. For
example, in 2006 lawyers serving as poll watchers enabled Senator
Andrea Steward-Cousins to win election by acting to stop disruptions
and voter suppression and intimidation actions in the polls in Yonkers.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009-2010: S.2866 - Passed Senate
2007-2008: S.2523 - Referred to Elections
2005-2006: S.2743 - Referred to Elections
2003-2004: S.1359 - Referred to Elections
2001-2002: S.266  - Referred to Elections
1999-2000: S.272  - Referred to Elections
1997-1998: S.1035 - Referred to Elections
1995-1996: S.109  - Referred to Elections

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.