Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s8806
Timestamp: 2020-08-14 06:09:29
Document Index: 142886626

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art 5', '§5', '§5', '§9', '§ 2', '§  5', '§  5', '§ 5', '§  5', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§  4', '§ 5']

NY State Senate Bill S8806
senate Bill S8806
Get Status Alerts for S8806
ordered to third reading cal.322
substituted for a8280c
Jul 22, 2020 referred to ways and means
ordered to third reading cal.970
Jul 18, 2020 committee discharged and committed to elections
Jul 21, 2020 - Elections committee Vote
Elections Committee Vote: Jul 21, 2020
S8806 (ACTIVE) - Details
Add Art 5 Title 9 §§5-900 - 5-906, §5-308, amd §9-209, El L
S8806 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Establishes an electronic personal voter registration process integrated within designated agency applications; requires the state board of elections to promulgate necessary rules and regulations; makes related provisions.
S8806 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S8806
An act to amend the election law, in relation to establishing an auto-
matic voter registration process integrated within designated agency
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York Automatic
Voter Registration Act of 2020." Said act implements a system of auto-
matic voter registration, ("AVR") within certain designated state agency
Section one of the bill is the title.
Section two adds a new title 9 to the election law creating in statute a
system of automatic voter registration and pre-registration.
Participating agencies shall provide personal voter registration appli-
cations that have been integrated with applications for agency services
including, amongst other things, name or address changes.  The inte-
grated personal voter registration application shall be available by
The bill specifically designates the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Department of Health (DOH), the Office of Temporary and Disability
Assistance (OTDA); Department of Labor (DOL); Office of Vocational and
Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities; County and City
Departments of Social Services, and the New York City Housing Authority
(NYCHA), as agencies participating in AVR. Each participating agency
shall come to an agreement with the State Board of Elections and provide
an opportunity through rulemaking for public notice and comment regard-
ing the plans for implementation in the agency.
The process by which each application shall be transmitted to the state
board of elections and statements that the integrated personal voter
registration application must include, such as the ability for the
prospective voter to opt out of voter registration at the point of
service are also outlined in this section of the bill.
Participating agencies are prohibited from transferring registration
applications to the board from prospective voters whose applications
indicate that they are ineligible to vote.
The governor shall, on an annual basis, review agencies required to
provide voter registration services pursuant to section 5-211 of the
election law in order to determine whether additional agencies shall be
designated to participate in AVR.
The state board of elections shall promulgate rules and regulations to
implement this title and requires all applicable agency forms and
notices to be approved by the state board of elections.
Section three adds a new section 5-308 to the election law outlining
certain notice requirements that must be disseminated to applicants
under certain conditions as part of AVR.
Section four amends section 9-209(2)(a) of the election law regarding
the casting and canvassing of ballots for first time voters whom enroll
via AVR and vote via affidavit.
Section five is the effective date.
Because the United States does not maintain a central national citizen
identification registry or voter registry, most states maintain their
own voter registries. States traditionally registered voters on an opt-
in basis, with little or no integration with other government systems,
until the advent of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, known also
as the "motor voter law." This federal law, intended to reverse declin-
ing voter registration, requires state motor vehicle departments and
agencies administering public assistance to offer applicants for
licenses or assistance, respectively, an opportunity to register to
vote. Typically this occurs via a paper voter registration form and the
federal government has since developed a generic national voter regis-
tration form in furtherance of this purpose.
In recent years, voting rights advocates and a broad coalition of organ-
izations have begun advocating for a new policy that pushes the "motor
voter" concept substantially further: "automatic voter registra-
tion"(AVR). Under this model, voter registration is initiated "automat-
ically" as a result of interaction with one or more, government agencies
which are already recording and processing eligible individuals relevant
information. For voters who are already registered, registrations may
also be updated with new residence information in the same manner.
updating and modernization. It is time for New York to join the growing
number of states who have implemented automatic registration.  This bill
will remove one of many barriers in our voting system to help New York
improve its dismal record of voter turnout. A modern voter registration
system that electronically transmits voter registration information will
reduce costs involved in processing voter registrations and maintaining
will reduce the number of duplicate or outdated registration records and
registered at incorrect or former addresses. A modern voter registration
system will also reduce the inaccuracy and disfranchisement that occurs
because of human error. By reducing the administrative burdens presently
involved in ensuring that a voter's current and accurate information is
included on the statewide voter registration list, a modern voter regis-
tration system promotes greater participation of eligible voters in
Modernizing the voter registration system will also increase the effi-
ciency of voter registration for the State and its constituent govern-
mental units, save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, increase
the completeness and accuracy of the statewide voter registration list,
prevent erroneous disfranchisement of eligible citizens, promote greater
participation of eligible voters in elections, and reduce the incidence
of voter registration fraud and voting fraud.
This act shall take effect January 1, 2023; provided, however, the state
board of elections and any participating agency shall be authorized to
implement necessary rules and regulations and to take steps required to
implement this act immediately.
S8806 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to establishing  an  auto-
matic  voter  registration process integrated within designated agency
the "New York automatic voter registration act of 2020".
§ 2. Article 5 of the election law is amended by adding a new title  9
SECTION 5-900. INTEGRATED   PERSONAL   VOTER   REGISTRATION  APPLICATION
5-902. FAILURE TO RECEIVE  EXEMPLAR  SIGNATURE  NOT  TO  PREVENT
5-904. PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENT AUTHORIZED ERROR.
5-906. FORMS.
§  5-900. INTEGRATED PERSONAL VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION REQUIRED.
1. IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER METHOD OF VOTER REGISTRATION PROVIDED FOR BY
THIS CHAPTER, STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES DESIGNATED IN SUBDIVISIONS  THIR-
TEEN  AND  FOURTEEN  OF THIS SECTION SHALL PROVIDE TO THE STATE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS VOTER REGISTRATION QUALIFICATION INFORMATION  ASSOCIATED  WITH
EACH  PERSON  WHO  SUBMITS  AN APPLICATION FOR SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE AT
SUCH AGENCY, INCLUDING  A  RENEWAL,  RECERTIFICATION,  OR  REEXAMINATION
TRANSACTION AT SUCH AGENCY, AND EACH PERSON WHO NOTIFIES THE AGENCY OF A
CHANGE  OF  ADDRESS OR NAME. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR
VEHICLES, "APPLICATION FOR SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE AT SUCH AGENCY" REFERS
ONLY TO AN APPLICATION FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER'S LICENSE, A  DRIVER'S
LICENSE  RENEWAL OR AN IDENTIFICATION CARD IF SUCH CARD IS ISSUED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN ITS NORMAL  COURSE  OF  BUSINESS.    FOR
PURPOSES  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  CITY  HOUSING  AUTHORITY  "APPLICATION FOR
SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE AT SUCH AGENCY" REFERS ONLY TO APPLICATIONS  THAT
LBD05948-26-0
S. 8806                             2
REACH  AN  ELIGIBILITY  INTERVIEW  AND  REEXAMINATION TRANSACTIONS. SUCH
DESIGNATED  AGENCIES  SHALL  ENSURE  AGENCY  APPLICATIONS  SUBSTANTIALLY
INCLUDE  ALL  OF THE ELEMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 5-210 OF THIS ARTICLE,
INCLUDING  THE  APPROPRIATE ATTESTATION, SO THAT PERSONS COMPLETING SUCH
APPLICATIONS SHALL BE ABLE TO ALSO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO REGISTER  TO
VOTE  THROUGH  THE ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION TRANSMITTAL SYSTEM. FOR
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "AGENCY" SHALL MEAN ANY STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY,
DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, OFFICE, INSTITUTION OR OTHER ENTITY DESIGNATED  IN
SUBDIVISION  THIRTEEN  OF  THIS  SECTION  OR  DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FOURTEEN OF THIS SECTION. FOR PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION,  REGISTRATION  SHALL  ALSO INCLUDE PRE-REGISTRATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 5-507 OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. FOR EACH APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO  THE  AGENCY,  WHETHER  ELECTRON-
ICALLY  OR  ON  PAPER,  THE  AGENCY SHALL TRANSMIT TO THE STATE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS THROUGH AN INTERFACE WITH THE  ELECTRONIC  VOTER  REGISTRATION
TRANSMITTAL  SYSTEM  ESTABLISHED  AND  MAINTAINED  BY THE STATE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS THAT PORTION OF THE APPLICATION THAT INCLUDES VOTER  REGISTRA-
TION  INFORMATION.  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF ELECTIONS SHALL ELECTRONICALLY
FORWARD SUCH APPLICATION TO THE APPLICABLE BOARD OF  ELECTIONS  OF  EACH
COUNTY  OR  THE CITY OF NEW YORK FOR FILING, PROCESSING AND VERIFICATION
3. AN INTEGRATED VOTER REGISTRATION FORM SUBMITTED  TO  AN  AGENCY  IN
PAPER  FORMAT  SHALL  BE  TRANSMITTED  TO  THE  STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION TRANSMITTAL SYSTEM BY  CONVERT-
ING  THE  PAPER FORM TO AN IMAGE FILE OR A PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT FILE
WHICH SHALL THEREAFTER BE DEEMED THE ORIGINAL FORM FOR  VOTER  REGISTRA-
TION  AND  ENROLLMENT  PURPOSES.  THE  AGENCY  SHALL RETAIN THE COMPLETE
ORIGINAL PAPER APPLICATION FOR NO LESS THAN TWO YEARS.  THE  TRANSMITTAL
OF THE CONVERTED PAPER APPLICATION MAY INCLUDE OR BE ACCOMPANIED BY DATA
ELEMENTS  AND TRANSMITTAL INFORMATION AS REQUIRED BY THE RULES AND REGU-
LATIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
4. AN INTEGRATED VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO AN AGENCY
IN AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT SHALL BE  TRANSMITTED  TO  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF
ELECTIONS  THROUGH  THE ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION TRANSMITTAL SYSTEM
AND SHALL INCLUDE ALL OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION DATA ELEMENTS, INCLUDING
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE, AS APPLICABLE, AND RECORD OF  ATTESTATION  OF  THE
ACCURACY OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ANY RELEVANT DOCUMENT
5. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY, NO AGENCY DESIGNATED
UNDER  THIS  SECTION  SHALL TRANSMIT TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ANY
APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION FOR A PERSON THAT INDICATES  ON  THE  INTE-
GRATED PERSONAL VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION THAT THEY DO NOT MEET ONE
OF THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
6.  THE VOTER REGISTRATION RELATED PORTION OF EACH AGENCY'S INTEGRATED
APPLICATION FOR SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE SHALL:
(A) INCLUDE A STATEMENT OF  THE  ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  VOTER
REGISTRATION  AND  SHALL  REQUIRE  THE APPLICANT TO ATTEST BY HIS OR HER
SIGNATURE THAT HE OR SHE  MEETS  THOSE  REQUIREMENTS  UNDER  PENALTY  OF
PERJURY UNLESS SUCH APPLICANT DECLINES SUCH REGISTRATION;
(B)  INFORM  THE  APPLICANT,  IN  PRINT  IDENTICAL TO THAT USED IN THE
(II) PENALTIES FOR SUBMISSION OF A FALSE REGISTRATION APPLICATION;
(III) THAT THE OFFICE WHERE THE  APPLICANT  APPLIES  FOR  REGISTRATION
SHALL  REMAIN  CONFIDENTIAL AND THE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION SHALL
BE USED ONLY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION PURPOSES;
S. 8806                             3
(IV) THAT IF THE APPLICANT APPLIES TO REGISTER TO VOTE ELECTRONICALLY,
SUCH APPLICANT THEREBY CONSENTS TO THE USE OF AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF  THE
INDIVIDUAL'S  MANUAL  SIGNATURE THAT IS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF MOTOR VEHICLES, THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, OR OTHER AGENCY  DESIG-
NATED  BY  THIS SECTION, AS THE INDIVIDUAL'S VOTER REGISTRATION EXEMPLAR
SIGNATURE IF THE INDIVIDUAL VOTER'S EXEMPLAR SIGNATURE IS  NOT  PROVIDED
WITH THE VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION;
(V)  IF  THE APPLICANT DECLINES TO REGISTER, SUCH APPLICANT'S DECLINA-
TION SHALL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND BE USED ONLY FOR  VOTER  REGISTRATION
(VI)  THAT  APPLYING TO REGISTER OR DECLINING TO REGISTER TO VOTE WILL
NOT AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE THAT THE APPLICANT WILL BE  PROVIDED
BY THIS AGENCY;
(C)  INCLUDE  A BOX FOR THE APPLICANT TO CHECK TO INDICATE WHETHER THE
APPLICANT WOULD LIKE TO DECLINE TO  REGISTER  TO  VOTE  ALONG  WITH  THE
FOLLOWING  STATEMENT  IN  PROMINENT TYPE, "IF YOU DO NOT CHECK THIS BOX,
AND YOU PROVIDE YOUR  SIGNATURE  ON  THE  SPACE  BELOW,  YOU  WILL  HAVE
ATTESTED TO YOUR ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER OR PRE-REGISTER TO VOTE AND YOU
WILL HAVE APPLIED TO REGISTER OR PRE-REGISTER TO VOTE.";
(D) INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WARNING STATEMENT IN PROMINENT TYPE, "IF YOU
ARE  NOT  A  CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, YOU MUST CHECK THE BOX BELOW.
NON-CITIZENS WHO REGISTER OR PRE-REGISTER TO  VOTE  MAY  BE  SUBJECT  TO
CRIMINAL  PENALTIES  AND SUCH VOTER REGISTRATION OR PRE-REGISTRATION MAY
RESULT IN DEPORTATION OR REMOVAL, EXCLUSION FROM ADMISSION TO THE UNITED
STATES, OR DENIAL OF NATURALIZATION.";
(E) INCLUDE A SPACE FOR THE APPLICANT TO INDICATE HIS OR HER CHOICE OF
DECLINE TO AFFILIATE WITH ANY PARTY AND THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN PROM-
INENT TYPE "IF YOU DO NOT CHOOSE A PARTY YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTIC-
IPATE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR THAT PARTY".
(F) INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT IF AN APPLICANT IS A VICTIM  OF  DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE OR STALKING, HE OR SHE MAY CONTACT THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
IN  ORDER  TO  RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY
PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNDER  SECTION  5-508  OF  THIS
7.  INFORMATION FROM THE VOTER RELEVANT TO BOTH VOTER REGISTRATION AND
THE AGENCY APPLICATION SHALL BE ENTERED BY THE VOTER ONLY ONCE  UPON  AN
8.  THE  AGENCY  SHALL  REDACT OR REMOVE FROM THE COMPLETED INTEGRATED
APPLICATION TO BE TRANSMITTED TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ANY INFOR-
MATION SOLELY APPLICABLE TO THE AGENCY APPLICATION.
COLLECTED  AND  TRANSMITTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION,
SHALL NOT BE RETAINED, USED OR SHARED FOR ANY OTHER  PURPOSE  EXCEPT  AS
10.  A  VOTER  SHALL  BE  ABLE TO DECLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE USING AN
INTEGRATED APPLICATION BY SELECTING A SINGLE CHECK BOX,  OR  EQUIVALENT,
WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "I DECLINE USE OF THIS FORM
FOR  VOTER REGISTRATION AND PRE-REGISTRATION PURPOSES. DO NOT FORWARD MY
INFORMATION TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS."
11. THE VOTER SHALL BE ABLE TO SIGN THE VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION
AND THE AGENCY APPLICATION BY MEANS OF A  SINGLE  MANUAL  OR  ELECTRONIC
SIGNATURE  UNLESS  THE AGENCY REQUIRES MORE THAN ONE SIGNATURE FOR OTHER
S. 8806                             4
12. NO APPLICATION FOR VOTER REGISTRATION SHALL BE  SUBMITTED  IF  THE
APPLICANT DECLINES REGISTRATION OR FAILS TO SIGN THE INTEGRATED APPLICA-
TION, WHETHER ON PAPER OR ONLINE.
13. DESIGNATED AGENCIES FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE
DEPARTMENT  OF  MOTOR  VEHICLES, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF
TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE OFFICE
OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DISABILI-
TIES,  COUNTY  AND CITY DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE NEW YORK
CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER AGENCY  DESIGNATED  BY  THE
GOVERNOR.  EACH DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FINALIZING THE FORMAT AND CONTENT OF ELECTRONIC
TRANSMISSIONS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.   THE STATE BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS
SHALL PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE TO DESIGNATED AGENCIES WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
AS  TO  THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF THE PROGRAM AND SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ESTABLISHING TRAINING PROGRAMS  FOR  EMPLOYEES  OF  DESIGNATED  AGENCIES
LISTED  IN  THIS  SECTION.    SUCH  INSTRUCTIONS AND SUCH TRAINING SHALL
ENSURE USABILITY OF THE INTEGRATED APPLICATION FOR  LOW  ENGLISH  PROFI-
CIENCY  VOTERS.   ANY SUCH DESIGNATED AGENCY SHALL TAKE ALL ACTIONS THAT
ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION, INCLUD-
ING FACILITATING TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES  TO  ALLOW  TRANSMISSION  OF
DATA  THROUGH AN INTERFACE WITH THE ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION TRANS-
MITTAL SYSTEM IN A SECURE MANNER.
14. EACH YEAR, THE GOVERNOR SHALL CONDUCT A REVIEW OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING AGENCY UNDER SECTION 5-211 OF THIS ARTICLE NOT ALREADY DESIGNATED AS
AN AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCY PURSUANT TO THIS  SUBDIVISION  IN
ORDER  TO  DETERMINE  WHETHER  DESIGNATION  IS APPROPRIATE. THE GOVERNOR
SHALL DESIGNATE EACH PARTICIPATING AGENCY THAT COLLECTS  INFORMATION  OR
DOCUMENTS  THAT  WOULD  PROVIDE  PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE UNLESS THE
GOVERNOR DETERMINES THAT THERE  ARE  COMPELLING  REASONS  WHY  AUTOMATIC
VOTER REGISTRATION IS NOT FEASIBLE AT THE AGENCY. IF THE GOVERNOR SHOULD
DETERMINE  THAT  THERE ARE COMPELLING REASONS WHY AUTOMATIC VOTER REGIS-
TRATION IS NOT FEASIBLE AT AN  AGENCY,  THE  GOVERNOR  SHALL  PREPARE  A
REPORT  EXPLAINING  THOSE  REASONS  TO THE LEGISLATURE BY THE END OF THE
CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THAT DETERMINATION IS MADE. ANY AGENCY DESIGNATED
BY THE GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO THIS  SUBDIVISION  SHALL  PROVIDE  AUTOMATIC
VOTER  REGISTRATION  UPON THE EARLIER OCCURRENCE OF: (A) TWO YEARS AFTER
DESIGNATION BY THE GOVERNOR, OR (B) FIVE DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF  CERTIF-
ICATION  BY THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS THAT THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUBSTANTIALLY IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
AT THE AGENCY IS FUNCTIONAL.
15. THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS  SHALL  PROMULGATE  RULES  AND  REGU-
LATIONS  FOR THE CREATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF AN INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC
VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS AS PROVIDED FOR BY THIS SECTION.
16. EACH PARTICIPATING AGENCY SHALL  PROVIDE  AN  OPPORTUNITY  THROUGH
RULEMAKING  FOR PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT REGARDING THE PLANS FOR IMPLE-
MENTATION IN THE AGENCY. SUCH OPPORTUNITY MUST BE PROVIDED  SUFFICIENTLY
IN  ADVANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION TO ALLOW FOR ADJUSTMENT OF AGENCY PLANS TO
TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT INTO ACCOUNT. AGENCY PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION  SHALL
PROVIDE  FOR  SUFFICIENT  TESTING  OF THE PROCESS IN THE AGENCY PRIOR TO
IMPLEMENTATION IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE TECHNOLOGY IS FUNCTIONING  PROPER-
LY,  THE  PROCESS IS USABLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE FOR APPLICANTS AND AGENCY
EMPLOYEES, AND REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO MINIMIZE
ERROR OR THE POSSIBILITY  OF  DISCOURAGING  APPLICATIONS  FOR  SERVICES,
ASSISTANCE, OR REGISTRATION.
§  5-902.  FAILURE TO RECEIVE EXEMPLAR SIGNATURE NOT TO PREVENT REGIS-
TRATION. IF A VOTER REGISTRATION EXEMPLAR SIGNATURE IS NOT RECEIVED FROM
S. 8806                             5
AN APPLICANT WHO SUBMITS A VOTER REGISTRATION OR PRE-REGISTRATION APPLI-
CATION PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE AND SUCH SIGNATURE EXEMPLAR IS NOT  OTHER-
WISE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION DATABASE OR A STATE
OR  LOCAL  AGENCY,  THE  LOCAL  BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL, ABSENT ANOTHER
REASON TO REJECT THE APPLICATION, PROCEED TO  REGISTER  OR  PRE-REGISTER
AND,  AS  APPLICABLE,  ENROLL  THE  APPLICANT.  WITHIN  TEN DAYS OF SUCH
ACTION, THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL SEND A STANDARD FORM PROMULGATED BY
THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO THE VOTER WHOSE RECORD LACKS AN EXEMPLAR
SIGNATURE, REQUIRING SUCH VOTER TO SUBMIT A SIGNATURE FOR IDENTIFICATION
PURPOSES. THE VOTER SHALL SUBMIT TO  THE  BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS  A  VOTER
REGISTRATION  EXEMPLAR SIGNATURE BY ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS: IN
PERSON, BY MAIL WITH RETURN  POSTAGE  PAID  PROVIDED  BY  THE  BOARD  OF
ELECTIONS,  BY  ELECTRONIC MAIL, OR BY ELECTRONIC UPLOAD TO THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION TRANSMITTAL  SYSTEM.
IF SUCH VOTER DOES NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED EXEMPLAR SIGNATURE, WHEN THE
VOTER  APPEARS  TO VOTE THE VOTER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE BY AFFIDAVIT
§ 5-904. PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENT AUTHORIZED ERROR.  1. NOTWITHSTANDING
SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 5-210 OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANY OTHER LAW TO THE
CONTRARY, A PERSON WHO IS INELIGIBLE TO VOTE WHO  FAILS  TO  DECLINE  TO
REGISTER  OR  PRE-REGISTER  TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION AND DID NOT WILLFULLY AND KNOWINGLY  SEEK  TO  REGISTER  OR
PRE-REGISTER TO VOTE KNOWING THAT HE OR SHE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO DO SO:
(A)  SHALL NOT BE GUILTY OF ANY CRIME AS THE RESULT OF THE APPLICANT'S
FAILURE TO MAKE SUCH DECLINATION;
(B) SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN  REGISTERED  OR  PRE-REGISTERED  WITH
OFFICIAL AUTHORIZATION; AND
(C)  SUCH ACT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AS EVIDENCE OF A CLAIM TO CITIZEN-
2. NOTWITHSTANDING SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 5-210 OF THIS ARTICLE OR
ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY, A PERSON WHO IS INELIGIBLE  TO  VOTE  WHO
FAILS  TO DECLINE TO REGISTER OR PRE-REGISTER TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, WHO THEN EITHER  VOTES  OR  ATTEMPTS  TO
VOTE  IN  AN  ELECTION  HELD  AFTER  THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THAT PERSON'S
REGISTRATION, AND WHO DID NOT WILLFULLY AND KNOWINGLY SEEK  TO  REGISTER
OR PRE-REGISTER TO VOTE KNOWING THAT HE OR SHE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO DO SO,
AND  DID NOT SUBSEQUENTLY VOTE OR ATTEMPT TO VOTE KNOWING THAT HE OR SHE
IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO DO SO:
(A) SHALL NOT BE GUILTY OF ANY CRIME AS THE RESULT OF THE  APPLICANT'S
FAILURE TO MAKE SUCH DECLINATION AND SUBSEQUENT VOTE OR ATTEMPT TO VOTE;
(B)  SHALL  BE  DEEMED  TO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED OR PRE-REGISTERED WITH
(C) SUCH ACT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AS EVIDENCE OF A CLAIM TO  CITIZEN-
§  5-906.  FORMS.  THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL PROMULGATE RULES
AND REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS TITLE. ALL AGENCY  FORMS  AND  NOTICES
REQUIRED  BY  THIS  TITLE  SHALL  BE  APPROVED  BY  THE  STATE  BOARD OF
ELECTIONS. ALL APPLICATIONS AND NOTICES FOR USE BY A BOARD OF  ELECTIONS
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  TITLE  SHALL  BE  PROMULGATED  BY THE STATE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS, AND NO ADDITION OR ALTERATION TO SUCH FORMS  BY  A  BOARD  OF
ELECTIONS  SHALL  BE  MADE  WITHOUT  APPROVAL  OF  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF
§ 3. The election law is amended by adding a new section 5-308 to read
§ 5-308. ENROLLMENT; AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.  1.  THE  BOARD  OF
ELECTIONS  SHALL,  PROMPTLY  AND  NOT  LATER  THAN TWENTY-ONE DAYS AFTER
S. 8806                             6
RECEIPT OF A VOTER REGISTRATION OR PRE-REGISTRATION APPLICATION  SUBMIT-
TED  PURSUANT  TO  TITLE  NINE OF THIS ARTICLE BY A VOTER REGISTERING OR
PRE-REGISTERING FOR THE FIRST TIME, SEND ANY  SUCH  VOTER  WHO  DID  NOT
ENROLL IN A PARTY A NOTICE AND A FORM TO INDICATE PARTY ENROLLMENT, WITH
RETURN  POSTAGE PAID BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.  SUCH NOTICE SHALL OFFER
THE VOTER THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENROLL WITH A PARTY OR TO DECLINE TO ENROLL
WITH A PARTY AND CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN PROMINENT  TYPE  "IF
YOU DO NOT CHOOSE A PARTY YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY
ELECTIONS  FOR  THAT PARTY." SUCH FORM SHALL PROVIDE A CLEAR ALTERNATIVE
FOR THE APPLICANT TO DECLINE TO AFFILIATE WITH ANY PARTY. IF  THE  BOARD
OF  ELECTIONS HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO THE PARTY ENROLLMENT NOTICE
AND FORM WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF THE APPLICATION, THE BOARD SHALL MAIL
A SECOND SIMILAR NOTICE AND FORM TO THE VOTER.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 5-304 OF THIS TITLE,  IF
A  VOTER  WHO  REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME (OR PRE-REGISTERED)
PURSUANT TO TITLE NINE OF THIS ARTICLE RESPONDS TO THE  NOTICE  REQUIRED
BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION AND ELECTS TO ENROLL IN A PARTY, SUCH
ENROLLMENT  SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER, ANY PRE-REGISTRANT'S
REGISTRATION SHALL REMAIN  CLASSIFIED  AS  "PENDING"  UNTIL  HE  OR  SHE
REACHES THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY.
3.  IF  A  VOTER  APPEARS AT A PRIMARY ELECTION AND VOTES BY AFFIDAVIT
BALLOT INDICATING THE INTENT TO ENROLL IN  SUCH  PARTY,  SUCH  AFFIDAVIT
BALLOT SHALL CAUSE THE VOTER TO BE ENROLLED IMMEDIATELY IN THAT PARTY IF
THE  BOARD OF ELECTIONS DETERMINES THAT THE VOTER REGISTERED (OR PRE-RE-
GISTERED) TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME PURSUANT  TO  TITLE  NINE  OF  THIS
4.  IF  A  VOTER  APPEARS AT A PRIMARY ELECTION AND VOTES BY AFFIDAVIT
BALLOT  SHALL  BE  CAST AND COUNTED IF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DETERMINES
THAT THE VOTER REGISTERED (OR PRE-REGISTERED) TO VOTE AT  LEAST  TWENTY-
FIVE DAYS BEFORE THAT PRIMARY PURSUANT TO TITLE NINE OF THIS ARTICLE AND
SUCH VOTER IS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED TO VOTE IN SUCH ELECTION.
§  4.  Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 9-209 of the election
(VII) IF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FINDS THAT THE  VOTER  REGISTERED  (OR
PRE-REGISTERED)  TO  VOTE  FOR  THE FIRST TIME PURSUANT TO TITLE NINE OF
ARTICLE FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE DAYS BEFORE A PRIMARY,
APPEARED AT SUCH PRIMARY ELECTION, AND INDICATED ON THE AFFIDAVIT BALLOT
ENVELOPE THE INTENT TO ENROLL IN SUCH PARTY, THE AFFIDAVIT BALLOT  SHALL
BE  CAST AND COUNTED IF THE VOTER IS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED TO VOTE IN SUCH
§ 5. This act shall take effect January 1,  2023;  provided,  however,
the  state  board  of  elections  and  any participating agency shall be
authorized to implement necessary rules  and  regulations  and  to  take
steps required to implement this act immediately.