N.Y. Election Law § 3-212: Boards of elections; organization, proceedings, reports and records

§ 3-212. Boards of elections; organization, proceedings, reports and

records. 1. The election commissioners, at their first meeting after the

first day of January of each year, shall organize as a board, electing

one of their number as president, and one as secretary, and if there is

a deadlock, the members shall draw lots for such places. The president

and secretary shall not belong to the same party.

2. All actions of the board shall require a majority vote of the

commissioners prescribed by law for such board.

3. The records of the board, and all papers and books filed in its

office are public records. Minutes of all meetings shall show how each

commissioner voted upon any resolution or motion. The board shall keep a

record of its proceedings, of the number of voters registered and

enrolled with each party for that year in each political subdivision or

part thereof, data relating to the expenses connected with registration,

enrollments and elections within the county or city and such other

information relating to elections as this chapter or the state board of

elections may prescribe.

4. (a) Each board of elections shall make an annual report of its

affairs and proceedings to its local legislative body once every twelve

months and no later than the last day of January in any year. A copy of

said annual report shall be filed with the state board of elections.

(b) Said annual report, as required by paragraph (a) of this

subdivision, shall include a detailed description of existing programs

designed to enhance voter registration. Such report shall include a

voter registration action plan which details the various activities and

programs of each board, including a description of those steps which

shall be taken in the future to increase registration opportunities,

especially for those identifiable groups of persons historically

underrepresented on the rolls of registered voters; and coordinate voter

education programs with school districts, colleges and universities

within the board's jurisdiction including voter registration of

qualified applicants and instructional or extracurricular activities

promoting participation in the electoral process.

(1) Each voter registration action plan shall provide for the

designation by the board of a registration activities coordinator. Such

designee shall be responsible for initiating contact with each school

district, college and university within the area served by the board to

request that such school district, college and university designate an

administrative liaison who, together with the registration activities

coordinator, shall plan, prepare and implement voter education and

registration programs to enhance electoral participation. The state

board of elections shall promulgate rules and regulations providing

guidelines for county board of election assistance to school districts,

colleges and universities in the establishment of electoral

participation programs.

(2) Each voter registration action plan shall set forth existing

activities and planned programs designed to insure compliance with the

requirements of subdivision two of section 5-210 of this chapter

regarding the distribution of registration application forms.

(3) The state board of elections shall review the voter registration

action plan submitted by each board of elections and assist in the

development and implementation of local registration outreach services

and activities.

5. The board of elections of the city of New York, upon the

affirmative vote of six commissioners, may adopt rules authorizing a

number of commissioners less than the total membership of the board to

act on behalf of the board on matters required to be performed by boards

of election pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, provided that

such number shall be comprised of commissioners representing equally the

two political parties entitled to representation on the board.