Assembly approves bill allowing local ballot drop boxes for absentee and early mail ballots

The New York State Assembly on March 12 passed a bill that authorizes local boards of elections to install secure ballot drop boxes and clarifies that both absentee ballots and early mail ballots may be deposited in them.

Assemblymember Symone, the bill—s sponsor, told colleagues the measure is a chapter amendment to the ballot-drop-box law passed in 2024 and would make explicit that absentee and early mail ballots may be returned via drop box. "It authorizes local boards of elections to establish locations where secure ballot drop boxes for voters to return their marked absentee and early mail ballots," Symone said, adding that the State Board of Elections would be directed to issue rules on location posting, security plans, pickup times and chain of custody.

Supporters said the change would reduce reliance on the mail at a time of perceived postal problems and cited experience in other states. Assemblymember Bishaw Harmelin, explaining her affirmative vote, said the bill increases access to the ballot and helps voters avoid mail delays. Opponents raised security concerns. Assemblymember Slater and several others asked whether the bill provides sufficient detail about processing different categories of ballots and about uniform security requirements; Slater pressed whether military and federal ballots would be handled correctly and asked whether the bill limits the number of ballots a person may drop into a box. Symone said the State Board of Elections would promulgate regulations in coordination with county boards to address security, chain of custody and canvass procedures.

The Assembly recorded 94 "ayes" and 47 "nos." The measure was passed and, according to the clerk—s reading on the floor, "This action will take effect immediately." The bill places responsibility for setting security and operational standards with the State Board of Elections while giving county boards authority to establish box locations and post them the same day locations are set.

The debate on the floor included multiple questions about operational details and county readiness; several members urged stronger, statutory security language rather than delegating details to rulemaking. The sponsor and others replied that many states have drop boxes with low documented fraud and that local circumstances require flexible implementation and coordination between state and county boards.

Votes at a glance: bill authorizes ballot drop boxes for absentee and early mail ballots; directs county boards to post locations; directs State Board of Elections to promulgate implementing rules; effective immediately.

The Assembly moved on to remaining calendar items after the vote.