N.Y. Election Law § 8-106: Polling places; attendance for educational purposes

§ 8-106. Polling places; attendance for educational purposes. 1.

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to

facilitate education and participation in the electoral process, a

number of students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive, not to exceed

four at any one time in any polling place, may enter any polling place

between twelve o'clock noon and three o'clock p.m. for the purpose of

observing the activities taking place therein and, when allowed by the

inspectors, for the purposes of subdivision two of this section,

provided there is proper parental or teacher supervision present, and

provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with the

orderly process of voting shall not be allowed to remain in the polling

place.

2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, each board of

elections may provide a spare voting machine inside any polling place or

in a room adjacent to any polling place for the educational use of

students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive. Each such board shall

establish procedures for the use of the machine including, but not

limited to, location and preparation of the machine and duties of the

machine tenders. At least four weeks prior to an election, each board

intending to provide a voting booth for the educational use of students

shall notify each school district within its jurisdiction of the

location of the spare voting machine. Upon such notice, but not later

than two weeks prior to such election, each school district intending to

utilize the spare voting machine made available for educational use as

herein provided shall notify the board of such intention. Any ballot

used in connection with such spare voting machine shall be in the form

prescribed by section 7-118 of this chapter for facsimile or sample

ballots.

3. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to

facilitate education and foster early participation in the electoral

process, any persons younger than the age of sixteen on election day

shall be permitted to accompany a duly qualified voting parent or

guardian into the appropriate polling place and voting booth for the

specific purpose of observing that parent or guardian vote, and for the

general purpose of observing the electoral process. Any voting parent or

guardian permitting a child to accompany them while voting shall provide

appropriate supervision so as not to allow a child to interfere with the

orderly process of voting.