NYS Senate: Notice of Public Hearing

NEW YORK STATE SENATE
Notice of Public Hearing

New York State Senate Standing Committee on Elections
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
Chair

Senator Martin Malave Dilan Senator Thomas W. Libous
Senator Jose M. Serrano Senator Joseph A. Griffo
Senator Brian X. Foley Senator Thomas P. Morahan

SUBJECT: To address a number of proposals to update and reform the state’s registration laws and regulations governing casting a ballot and polling places.

May 14, 2009
10A.M. -1 PM.
Syracuse Common Council Chambers
233 East Washington Street
City Hall
4th Floor
Syracuse, New York 13202

The goal of these hearings is to open the legislative process to the public, listen to its thoughts and ideas about proposed election reforms and reinvigorate participatory democracy. The May hearings in Albany (May 11) and Syracuse (May 14) are the second set in a series of five that will continue in June, September and November. In those hearings, the Elections Committee will consider campaign finance reform; Board of Elections oversight; additional election law reforms; and oversight of the November elections.

This dialogue between lawmakers and the public is part of the Senate’s commitment to beginning a robust committee process, developing sound public policy through open dialogue, and creating transparency in legislative process.

The purpose of the hearings in Albany on May 11th, and in Syracuse on May 14th, is to seek public comment on following bills:

• S3250 The “Early Voting Act,” which would allow voters to cast a ballot at the county board of elections from 14 days before an election until one day before.
• S5028 Amends the Constitution to allow no-excuse absentee voting by removing the restrictions on a voter's right to vote by absentee ballot.
• S2868-a Eliminates the requirement that voters who request an absentee ballot disclose private and personal information about why they cannot vote at their polling station.
• S1701 Requires affidavit ballots to be counted if a voter appears at a polling place in the correct county but in the incorrect election district.
• S1058-a Requires that all polling places be accessible to the disabled.
• S1386-a Authorizes the board of elections to employ election inspectors to work half-day shifts with adjusted compensation.
• S2443 Requires poll workers to inform voters who are not in poll books of their correct polling place and election district within the county, and provides poll workers with sufficient maps and address finders to do so.
• S5112 Requires that paper ballots have a box, oval or other area that the voter can mark to alert the voting system that all “undervotes” are intentional.

Persons who wish to attend or testify should call Bernadette Oliver at (518) 455-2310, and fill out and return the attached reply form by May 11th via fax. The Elections Committee will accommodate as many witnesses as possible, and encourages the submission of written testimony, which will considered and made part of the hearing record. Written testimony should be e-mailed no later than May 11th as an attachment in any common format to: oliver@senate.state.ny.us.

Witnesses are requested to keep their oral testimony to no more than five minutes in length, and to please bring 10 copies of their prepared statement to the hearing.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Senate has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. Accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities upon reasonable request to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate facilities and activities.

Questions about this hearing may be directed to Bernadette Oliver at (518) 455-2310 or oliver@senate.state.ny.us.