New York Senate Bill S02543

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/21/25
• Report Pass: 2/25/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Instructs the state board of elections to create and distribute voting guides to voters containing information about the candidates; mandates that voters receive postcards to notify them of upcoming elections and that television and radio stations also notify their audience of upcoming elections.

Summary

S02543 would add a new “Voter Notifications” title to the Election Law requiring the State Board of Elections to create and distribute election information to voters. The bill allows candidates for state and local office to submit sworn biographical statements and answers to issue-based questions drafted by the State Board, and directs the Board to standardize the format and length of those submissions. The Board would then compile the information into a voting guide and make it available electronically and in print to voters before primary and general elections. The bill also requires the State Board of Elections to send election reminder postcards before each primary and general election and to maintain a public website with the voting guide information. In addition, it would require major television and radio stations operating in New York to announce upcoming elections multiple times per day for ten consecutive days before each election. The measure is designed to increase voter awareness of candidates and election dates through mail, email, web, and broadcast notices.

Impact

The bill would amend the Election Law by creating new statewide voter-notification duties for the State Board of Elections and, separately, for television and radio stations. It would require local boards to transmit candidate statements to the State Board in electronic form, or allow the State Board to convert them, and would obligate the State Board to distribute voting guides and postcards to registered voters or households, with reimbursement provisions if local boards handle distribution. It would also impose a new public-information requirement on broadcasters using public airwaves or doing business in the state. The bill would affect candidates seeking nomination or election, registered voters, local and state election boards, and broadcast media outlets.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable committee sentiment, with the Senate Elections Committee approving the bill 5-2. The bill’s purpose appears to be broadly pro-voter and focused on improving access to election information, candidate background details, and reminders about upcoming elections. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the committee vote indicates support with some opposition.

Contention

The main points of contention likely concern the administrative and financial burden of producing and mailing voting guides and postcards statewide, as well as the mandate placed on television and radio stations to air repeated election notices. There may also be concerns about the feasibility of collecting standardized candidate statements, the accuracy and neutrality of issue-based questions drafted by the State Board, and the costs of postage and distribution. Supporters would likely emphasize voter education and turnout, while opponents may focus on government and media compliance costs and the scope of the mandated communications.