Relates to protecting people from civil arrest while going to, remaining at, or returning from polling places

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

• Democratic14

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Pete Harckham says this is needed

Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution states that state legislatures will establish the times, places, and manner of holding elections. Over time, the Supreme Court has interpreted this to determine that states have the right to govern over notices, registra- tion, supervision of voting, protection of voters, as well as prevention of fraud and corrupt practices. In short, the power of New York state to protect our elections and polling places is vested by the Constitution. All New Yorkers should feel safe stepping foot in polling places, wheth- er it be U.S. citizens casting their ballot, or non-citizens accompany- ing a family member or friend. Recent claims by the federal government that are non-citizens are voting in elections, and that there is wide- spread election fraud are false. In November 2025, the United States Department of Justice, without justification, sent federal election monitors to key polling sites with high Latino populations in Califor- nia. In this election, 66% percent of Latino voters expressed a concern regarding the presence of federal agents at polls. New York State Law already protects against intimidation at the polls. This legislation will further cement that, as well as ensure that indi- viduals cannot be civilly arrested while traveling to and from a polling location as well. This will allow all New Yorkers to feel safer casting their ballot or accompanying someone who is casting their ballot, and better allow our state to carry out its Constitutional duty of holding free and fair elections.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.