N.Y. Election Law § 5-504: Optional discontinuation of central file registration records

§ 5-504. Optional discontinuation of central file registration

records. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this article to the

contrary, a board of elections may apply to the state board of elections

for permission to discontinue preparation, use and maintenance of

central file registration records.

2. The state board of elections shall adopt regulations establishing

the requirements which must be met by a board of election seeking such

permission.

3. Such requirements shall include, but not be limited to the

following:

a. The board of elections maintains a complete, current computer

record of all registered voters.

b. At least one copy of such record is kept in a building other than

the one in which the offices of the board of elections are located.

c. The board of elections maintains, as a public record, at the

appropriate office of the board, a complete and current alphabetized

list of all registered voters, including voters in inactive status,

which contains next to each voter's name at least the following

information: address, town or city, assembly district where appropriate,

election district, registration serial number, party enrollment, date of

registration, gender, date of birth and, if the voter is in inactive

status, an indication of that fact.

d. A board of elections which has discontinued use of registration

poll ledgers shall not be required to maintain such an alphabetized list

of all registered voters if it has available for public use, a

sufficient number of computer terminals from which such information can

be obtained. Such terminals must have the capacity to display a series

of names arranged in such alphabetical order without an inquiry for each

such name having to be entered into the computer separately.

4. After such inquiry as it deems appropriate, the state board of

elections shall approve the applications of those boards of elections

whose systems meet the requirements established by this section and the

regulations of the state board. Such boards may then discontinue

preparation, use and maintenance of central file registration records.

5. If the state board of elections amends its regulations, a board of

elections whose system was previously approved by the state board shall

have a reasonable time to conform to the new regulation.

6. If the state board of elections determines on its own initiative,

or upon investigation of a complaint, that the system being used by a

board of elections is not in compliance with the requirements of this

section and the regulations of the state board, it shall order such

board of elections to comply forthwith.

7. If such a board of elections does not comply with the provisions of

subdivision six of this section, the state board shall issue an order

withdrawing permission to discontinue use of central file registration

records and such board of elections shall be required to reinstitute use

of such records on the first day of December following issuance of such

an order.