BILL NUMBER: S5452

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring a commission-
er of a board of elections to meet certain qualifications before their
appointment

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to require that commissioners of boards of
elections in each county and the city of New York meet certain quali-
fications upon their appointment

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would require the state board of elections, no
later than December 31, 2025, to prescribe qualification for all commis-
sioners of boards of elections in each county and the city of New York,
including, but not limited to: qualifications for holding office pursu-
ant to the Public Officers law; and, demonstrated experience in election
              

administration or other professional experience as deemed sufficient by
the board. Such qualifications would apply 30 days after promulgation
and would be reviewed by the board every two years. Such qualifications
would be prescribed by the board only after consideration of the skills
and knowledge necessary or useful for the exercise of the duties and
responsibilities of such commissioners.

Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The duties of election commissioners are vast, and the administration of
elections is complex. Secure and efficient elections are a vital compo-
nent of maintaining a strong democracy, and providing the utmost confi-
dence in election results is more important than ever. Several laws
recently passed in New York State aim to make participation in elections
easier for residents, and it is the responsibility of local election
commissioners to ensure that these laws are implemented expeditiously
and effectively.

Currently, local board of elections commissioners are selected through
political parties, and there are no qualifications or experience
required to be named as a commissioner. This has led to numerous issues
in the administration of the State's elections that could have been
avoided by appointing more experienced and qualified commissioners. This
bill would ensure that election commissioners meet certain standards
prior to their hiring and that these standards are uniform across the
State.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: S.645 (Mannion) - Passed Senate.

2021-22: 5.8292 (Mannion) - Referred to Elections.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.