S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4326
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 1, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. DeSTEFANO, MONTESANO, BRABENEC, B. MILLER,
NORRIS, DiPIETRO, McDONOUGH, SALKA, REILLY, MANKTELOW, BYRNE, BLANKEN-
BUSH, M. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election
Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, the administrative code of the city of
New York, the public health law and the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to requiring a government issued photo identification card to
be presented when casting a ballot
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 8-303 of the election law, as added by chapter 420
of the laws of 2004 and subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of subdivision 3
as amended by chapter 160 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as
follows:
§ 8-303. [Initial voter] VOTER identification. 1. Applicability. Each
board of elections, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, shall
require a voter to meet the requirements of subdivision two of this
section [if:
(a) the individual registered to vote in a jurisdiction by mail on or
after January first, two thousand three; and
(b) the individual has not previously voted in an election for federal
office in the jurisdiction of the board of elections].
2. Requirements. (a) In general. An individual meets the requirements
of this subdivision if the individual:
(1) in the case of an individual who votes in person[: (i)] presents
to the appropriate election inspector, clerk or coordinator a current
and valid GOVERNMENT ISSUED photo identification; [or
(ii) presents to the appropriate election inspector, clerk or coordi-
nator a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government
check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and
address of the voter;] or
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08113-01-1
A. 4326 2
(2) in the case of an individual who votes by mail, submits in the
outer envelope with the envelope containing the ballot: [(i)] a copy of
a current and valid GOVERNMENT ISSUED photo identification[; or
(ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government
check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and
address of the voter].
A CURRENT AND VALID GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION SHALL
INCLUDE: A NEW YORK STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE OR NON-DRIVER ID; A UNITED
STATES PASSPORT; AN IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED BY A UNITED STATES EDUCA-
TIONAL INSTITUTION; A UNITED STATES MILITARY IDENTIFICATION CARD; A
GOVERNMENT ISSUED MEDICAL CARD OR ANY IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED BY THE
UNITED STATES OR THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) Fail-safe voting. [(1)] An individual who desires to vote in
person, but who does not meet the requirements of [subparagraph one of
paragraph (a) of] this subdivision[,] may [cast an affidavit ballot, and
notwithstanding this section of law, such affidavit ballot shall be duly
cast and counted, even though such individual does not meet the require-
ments of subparagraph one of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, provided
such individual casting such ballot is an otherwise eligible voter
pursuant to law, provided further that such ballot otherwise complies
with the requirements of law.
(2) An individual who desires to vote by mail but who does not meet
the requirements of subparagraph two of paragraph (a) of this subdivi-
sion may cast such a ballot by mail and such ballot shall be duly cast
and counted, notwithstanding this section, provided the voter is deter-
mined to be an eligible voter and provided further that such ballot
otherwise complies with the requirements of law.
3. Inapplicability. Subdivisions one and two of this section shall not
apply in the case of a person: (a) who registers to vote by mail and
submits as part of such registration either:
(1) a copy of a current and valid photo identification; or
(2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government
check, paycheck, or government document that shows the name and address
of the voter;
(b) (1) who registers to vote by mail and submits with such registra-
tion either:
(i) a driver's license or a department of motor vehicles non-driver
photo ID number; or
(ii) at least the last four digits of the individual's social security
number; and
(2) with respect to whom a local board of elections matches the infor-
mation submitted under subparagraph one of this paragraph with an exist-
ing state identification record bearing the number, name and date of
birth of such voter; or
(c) who is: (1) entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1
et seq.);
(2) provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section
3 (b) (2) (B) (ii) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Hand-
icapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-1 (b) (2) (B) (ii)); or
(3) entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any other federal
law] OBTAIN A NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR
VEHICLES IF HE OR SHE DOES THE FOLLOWING:
(1) (I) IF AN INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT POSSESS THE DOCUMENTATION ACCEPTED
BY THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO RECEIVE A NON-DRIVER IDENTIFI-
CATION, PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAF-
A. 4326 3
FIC LAW, SUCH INDIVIDUAL SHALL OBTAIN THE AFFIDAVIT PROVIDED IN SUBDIVI-
SION THREE OF THIS SECTION FROM A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE CLERK,
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
AND HYGIENE OR THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
(II) WHEN THE SIGNED AFFIDAVIT IS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY, CITY, TOWN,
OR VILLAGE WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL WAS BORN OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR
THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE, IF THE INDI-
VIDUAL WAS BORN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, NO LATER THAN THE SEVENTH DAY
BEFORE THE ELECTION, IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE CLERK OR THE DEPARTMENT
TO PROVIDE THE INDIVIDUAL A CERTIFIED COPY OR CERTIFIED TRANSCRIPT OF
THE INDIVIDUAL'S RECORD OF BIRTH AT NO COST TO THE REQUESTING INDIVID-
UAL, IF THE CLERK OR DEPARTMENT HAS ACCESS TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S RECORD OF
BIRTH.
(III) NO LATER THAN THE SEVENTH DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, THE INDIVID-
UAL SHALL PRESENT HIS OR HER RECORD OF BIRTH AND THE SIGNED AFFIDAVIT TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. UPON RECEIPT OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S
RECORD OF BIRTH AND THE SIGNED AFFIDAVIT, THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR
VEHICLES SHALL ISSUE THE INDIVIDUAL A NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD AT
NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL, PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF
THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.
(2) (I) IF AN INDIVIDUAL DOES POSSESS THE DOCUMENTATION ACCEPTED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO RECEIVE A NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICA-
TION PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC
LAW, SUCH INDIVIDUAL SHALL OBTAIN AN AFFIDAVIT PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION
THREE OF THIS SECTION FROM A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, OR VILLAGE CLERK, THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND
HYGIENE, OR THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
(II) NO LATER THAN THE SEVENTH DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, THE INDIVIDUAL
SHALL PRESENT THE SIGNED AFFIDAVIT AND THE ACCEPTED DOCUMENTATION TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. UPON RECEIPT OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S DOCUMEN-
TATION AND THE SIGNED AFFIDAVIT, THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES
SHALL ISSUE THE INDIVIDUAL A NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD AT NO COST
TO THE INDIVIDUAL PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THE VEHICLE
AND TRAFFIC LAW.
3. AFFIDAVIT. THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL FURNISH AN AFFIDAVIT TO
COUNTY, CITY, TOWN AND VILLAGE CLERKS, AS WELL AS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
MOTOR VEHICLES, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE NEW YORK CITY DEPART-
MENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL SHALL SIGN IN INK
AND WHICH SHALL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND SUBSTANTIALLY BE
IN THE FOLLOWING FORM:
I, THE UNDERSIGNED, DO HEREBY SWEAR THAT IT IS SEVEN OR MORE DAYS
BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION ON ............................ AND I DO NOT
POSSESS A VALID GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO FOR PURPOSES OF VOTING. I DO
HEREBY REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO ISSUE ME A NON-DRIVER
IDENTIFICATION FOR PURPOSES OF VOTING IN THE NEXT ELECTION ON THE AFORE-
MENTIONED DATE.
DATE: .............................
..................................
(SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT)
ON THE DATE ABOVE INDICATED BEFORE ME PERSONALLY CAME THE APPLICANT
WHOSE SIGNATURE APPEARS ON THIS AFFIDAVIT, WHO SIGNED SAME IN MY PRES-
ENCE AND WHO, BEING BY ME DULY SWORN, SAID THAT THE FOREGOING STATEMENT
MADE AND SUBSCRIBED BY HIM OR HER, WAS TRUE.
A. 4326 4
DATE:..................
................................
(SIGNATURE AND OFFICIAL TITLE
OF OFFICER ADMINISTERING OATH)
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 8-400 of the election law is amended by
adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
(E) ALL APPLICATIONS SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF THE APPLICANT'S
VALID GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY SECTION
8-303 OF THIS ARTICLE. AN INDIVIDUAL MAY OBTAIN A VALID GOVERNMENT
ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION FOR NO CHARGE AS PRESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (B)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 8-303 OF THIS ARTICLE.
§ 3. Subdivision a of section 17-169 of the administrative code of the
city of New York is amended by adding a new paragraph 1-a to read as
follows:
1-A. A CERTIFIED COPY OR CERTIFIED TRANSCRIPT OF THE RECORD OF BIRTH
SHALL BE ISSUED UPON RECEIPT OF AN AFFIDAVIT SIGNED BY A PERSON, SIGNED
NO LATER THAN THE SEVENTH DAY BEFORE AN ELECTION, PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH
(B) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 8-303 OF THE ELECTION LAW. IN SUCH
INSTANCE, SUCH BIRTH CERTIFICATE SHALL BE ISSUED AT NO COST TO THE
PERSON.
§ 4. Subdivision 1 of section 4174 of the public health law is amended
by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(B-1) UPON RECEIPT OF AN AFFIDAVIT SIGNED BY AN APPLICANT, SIGNED NO
LATER THAN THE SEVENTH DAY BEFORE AN ELECTION, PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 8-303 OF THE ELECTION LAW, EITHER A CERTI-
FIED COPY OR CERTIFIED TRANSCRIPT OF SUCH APPLICANT'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
IN SUCH INSTANCE, SUCH BIRTH CERTIFICATE SHALL BE ISSUED AT NO COST TO
THE APPLICANT;
§ 5. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 490 of the vehicle and
traffic law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (iv) to read as
follows:
(IV) IN THE CASE OF A PERSON WHO IS ISSUED AN IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR
PURPOSES OF VOTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-303 OF THE ELECTION LAW, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL ISSUE AN IDENTIFICATION CARD WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF
ANY FEE, UPON SUCH PERSON SUBMITTING A SWORN AFFIDAVIT, AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION 8-303 OF THE ELECTION LAW AND A CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH OR ANY
OTHER FORM OF DOCUMENTATION ACCEPTED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO PROVE THE
PERSON'S IDENTITY. AN IDENTIFICATION ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBPARA-
GRAPH SHALL EXPIRE FOUR YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUANCE.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately.