New York Assembly Bill A07138

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/20/25
• Refer: 3/20/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to the time period during which absentee ballots shall be mailed or delivered after an application for such ballot is received by the board of elections.

Summary

A07138 amends New York’s Election Law to speed up and standardize when county boards of elections must mail or deliver absentee ballots after receiving an application. The bill creates a tiered deadline system based on how close the application is received to Election Day. For applications received well in advance, ballots must be sent by set calendar dates; for later applications, boards must act within a few days, and in the final week before an election they must make every reasonable effort to provide the ballot the same day the application is received. The bill also preserves special handling for absentee ballots sent outside the United States and for certain institutional voters, including residents of mental hygiene facilities, nursing homes, residential health care facilities, hospitals, and Veterans Administration facilities, who may receive ballots through the delivery method already authorized in Election Law section 8-407 when the facility is in the voter’s county or city of eligibility. The act takes effect immediately.

Impact

This bill would amend Election Law section 8-406 by imposing specific mailing and delivery deadlines on boards of elections for absentee ballots, replacing the current broader requirement to act “as soon as practicable.” It would affect county boards of elections, absentee ballot applicants, and voters who apply close to an election, while leaving in place existing special rules for overseas ballots and certain institutional voters. The practical effect is to require faster processing and reduce delays in absentee ballot distribution.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition, so there is no direct evidence of debate or partisan sentiment in the materials provided. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be framed as an administrative election-access improvement intended to ensure timely ballot delivery. The absence of recorded votes or discussion suggests sentiment cannot be reliably characterized beyond the bill’s apparent pro-access purpose.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the operational burden on boards of elections, which would have to meet tighter turnaround times, especially during the final weeks before an election. Election administrators may be concerned about staffing, logistics, and the feasibility of same-day or near-same-day processing for late applications. On the other hand, supporters would likely emphasize voter access and the need to ensure absentee voters receive ballots in time to return them. The bill also preserves special treatment for certain facilities and overseas mailing, which may limit controversy on those points.