Relates to the exercise of powers and duties of the board of elections of the city of New York and its executive management

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Election Law · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Elections · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section one of the bill creates an unconsolidated law to sunset the term of each member of the current Board of Elections in the city of New York upon the confirmation of new commissioners. Section two of the bill amends section 3-200 of the Election Law to reduce the number of commissioners at the New York City Board of Elections from ten commissioners to two commissioners. Section three of the bill amends section 3-204 of the Election Law to develop a new framework for the nomination and appointment of commis- sioners of election in the city of New York. Each county committee shall, within 60 days of a vacancy, file a certificate of party recom- mendation for one individual to be nominated to the position of election commissioner. The city council would then hold a public hearing on the nominees and confirm two individuals from separate counties, with one commissioner representing each of the two parties that received the most, and second most votes, in the most recent gubernatorial election. Section four of the bill amends section 3-212 of the Election Law to require additional budgetary responsibility at the board of elections. The director of the management and budget would be required to notify the executive director, the mayor, the speaker of the city council, and the public advocate if it is expected that the city board of elections would exceed its appropriation. The executive director of such board would be responsible for responding to such director with a projection of the amount that they will exceed their appropriation, and relevant information justifying such excess expenditures. Section five of the bill adds new subdivisions to section 3-300 of the election law delineating the powers and duties of the executive director of the city board of elections, and the board of elections of the city of New York (The board). The board will be responsible for promulgating regulations, issuing orders and making decisions regarding general poli- cies affecting the administration of elections of the city of New York. The bill expressly reserves certain powers and functions for the board, including but not limited to the designation of election districts and poll sites, approving procurement contracts valued at greater than one million dollars, choosing voting machines and systems, canvassing election results, making determinations regarding the nomination and designation of candidates, and, the form and content of ballots and challenges to voter registration. The executive director, would now be appointed by a majority vote of the mayor of the city of New York, the speaker of the city cduncil and the public advocate, with the provision that the Mayor must be part of the majority. The executive director would be chosen for appointment from a list developed by the commissioners of election representing each poli- tical party. The executive directors would have the same powers and duties delegated to local boards of elections under the Election Law, including but not limited to the appointment, salaries and removal of all staff, such as a deputy director, poll workers, inspectors and voter machine technicians and all matters relating to voter registration and enrollment, cancellation of voter registration, policies providing for appropriate ongoing training of employees, policies establishing employ- ee evaluations, change of voter status and registration records, except where such powers are expressly reserved for the board. The executive director must exercise their powers in a manner not inconsistent with the policies established by the Board. Section six amends section 4-136 of the election law to include the purchase of goods, services, and technology to the list of items for which the city board of elections can procure from the city. The board shall comply with the rules and regulations of the city procurement policy board and applicable state law. Section seven provides for the current commissioners to continue to perfor

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

• Vote: Floor vote

  NY SenateMay 28, 2025Result: passed

  Voted yes (39)Voted no (22)Voted present (0)Absent (2)

  See member positions for the vote on May 28, 2025 (Floor vote)

• Vote: Committee vote · Elections

  Senate ElectionsFeb 10, 2025Result: passed

  Voted yes (5)Voted no (2)Voted present (0)Absent (0)

  See member positions for the vote on Feb 10, 2025 (Committee vote · Elections)

Full history

1. Jan 7, 2026

   Died in Assembly

   DIED IN ASSEMBLY

   NY Assembly

2. Jan 7, 2026

   Referred to committee

   REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW

   NY Assembly

3. Jan 7, 2026

   Referred to committee

   REFERRED TO ELECTIONS

   NY Senate

4. May 28, 2025

   Sent to the executive

   DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

   NY Senate

5. May 28, 2025

   Passed a chamber

   PASSED SENATE

   NY Senate

About this record

Summary

The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.

Cosponsors

The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Party colors

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Source

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 31, 2026. About our data

Read the record

• Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.