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Senate approves allowing college students to serve as election inspectors in counties where they attend school
Summary
The Senate passed a change to the Election Law permitting full-time college students to serve as election inspectors in the county where they attend school; supporters cited poll-worker shortages and civic engagement, while opponents raised concerns about voter roll integrity. The bill passed 39–21.
The New York State Senate on March 18 approved legislation to allow full-time college students to serve as election inspectors in the county where they attend school. Senator Fernandez (New York State senator), the sponsor, said the change aims to address poll-worker shortages and encourage early civic engagement among students.
Under the provision discussed on the floor, a student must be a full-time registered student at an institution in the county, be at least 18 years of age, and be a registered voter (which requires U.S. citizenship under current law). Senator Fernandez told colleagues the change recognizes students’ economic and civic contributions to the communities where they study and provides paid opportunities to participate in election administration.
Opponents focused on the risk that noncitizens could be registered erroneously and on the longstanding practice of filling poll-worker roles with residents who know the local community. Senator Walzick (New York State senator) argued the bill risks allowing people with no long-term connection to an area to administer local elections and raised the possibility of registration errors, noting calls boards of elections receive from immigration lawyers. Senator Martins (New York State senator) asked that similar opportunities be considered for commuters and other nontraditional residents, saying the bill singled out college students.
Supporters, including Senator Gurnardis (New York State senator), said allowing students to work polls offers a training ground for civic participation and helps fill a critical shortage of poll workers. Senator Krueger (New York State senator) noted the large, changing populations at urban poll locations and said expanding eligibility will help staffing.
The clerk announced the final vote as Ayes 39, Nays 21; the transcript records lists of senators voting in the negative but does not show a recorded mover or seconder for the floor vote. The bill was read on the calendar as center print 1809 and described as an act in the Election Law to permit student election inspectors. The floor exchange clarified the student eligibility criteria mentioned above; other operational details, including training requirements or payroll arrangements, were not specified in the transcript.
