Senate Elections Committee advances five election-related bills; county officials warn on publishing ballot images

The New York State Senate Elections Committee on Feb. 25, 2025, reported five bills from committee, advancing measures on electronic ballot-image availability, voter notices about candidates, early voting for certain special elections, tax treatment for election workers, and absentee-ballot envelope language.

The committee, chaired by Senator Kristen Gonzalez, approved the measures by voice vote and sent several to the Finance Committee for further consideration. Members voiced the most substantive concerns about Senate Bill 2541, which would make electronic ballot images available, citing administrative burdens and voter-privacy risks raised by county election officials.

Senate Bill 2541, sponsored on the floor as "an act to amend the election law in relation to the availability of electronic ballot images," drew objections from county boards of elections reported to the committee. Senator Walznick told the panel she had queried county boards and said one county described the proposal this way: "Imagine the flood of request to review every ballot image and having to secure share file all of that." Walznick said counties also raised privacy concerns in small districts about publishing ballots. Committee Chair Senator Kristen Gonzalez said she believes the bill "is important for transparency," and the committee voted to report the measure out of committee. The motion to move SB 2541 was offered by Senator Bruck and seconded by Senator Kavanaugh; the bill was reported from committee by voice vote.

Senate Bill 2543 would require providing notice to voters of candidates in upcoming elections. Sponsors and counsel told the committee the measure is modeled on a New York City practice and relies on information supplied by candidates. Committee counsel said there is not a formal fact-checking process for submissions and that campaigns retain responsibility for correcting information. A motion to report the bill was made by Senator Rupp and seconded by Senator Myrie; the bill was reported from committee to the Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 5101 would amend election law to allow early voting adjustments for certain special elections, with an automatic repeal of those provisions after a specified expiration. Senators questioned why the bill prescribes a change rather than explicitly giving boards of elections discretion. Committee counsel and the sponsor said the boards had requested this legislative approach; the motion to report the bill came from Senator Myrie and was seconded by Senator Rook. The bill was reported from committee.

Senate Bill 5142 would amend tax law to allow subtracting from federal adjusted gross income any income earned by election inspectors, poll clerks, or election coordinators, and would also amend the Social Services Law so that work as those election officials could be included in benefit calculations. Sponsors described the measure as an affordability initiative for election workers. The committee moved the bill by a motion from Senator Pruf, seconded by Senator Walznick, and reported it to the Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 5183 would add a signature-affirmation statement to absentee ballot and special presidential ballot envelopes. The committee moved and reported the bill by a motion from Senator Myers, seconded by Senator Kavanaugh.

Votes at a glance

- SB 2541 (Miley) — Availability of electronic ballot images. Motion by Sen. Bruck; second Sen. Kavanaugh. Outcome: reported from committee (voice vote). Key committee concern: county election officials warned of large data volumes to store/transmit and voter-privacy risks.

- SB 2543 (Miley) — Notifying voters of candidates. Motion by Sen. Rupp; second Sen. Myrie. Outcome: reported to Finance Committee. Counsel noted submissions come from candidates and are not formally fact-checked.

- SB 5101 (Gonzalez) — Early voting for certain special elections (temporary repeal clause). Motion by Sen. Myrie; second Sen. Rook. Outcome: reported from committee. Committee discussed whether boards of elections should have discretion instead of a legislative mandate.

- SB 5142 (Myrie) — Tax/subtraction for income earned by election inspectors and Social Services Law treatment. Motion by Sen. Pruf; second Sen. Walznick. Outcome: reported to Finance Committee. Sponsors framed the bill as an affordability measure for poll workers.

- SB 5183 (Jackson) — Signature-affirmation language on absentee ballot envelopes. Motion by Sen. Myers; second Sen. Kavanaugh. Outcome: reported from committee.

The committee adjourned after reporting the five bills. Several members suggested separate follow-up discussions about misinformation and administrative implementation for the proposals that require counties to store or publish ballot-related materials.