New York Senate Bill S09024

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26
• Refer: 1/22/26

Caption

Removes designating letters for rows and columns on ballots.

Summary

S09024 amends the New York Election Law to remove the requirement that ballots display the designating letter for each party or independent row or column. Under current law, ballots must show both the party or independent body name and the row or column’s designating letter; this bill deletes the reference to the letter while leaving the party or independent body name requirement in place. The bill is introduced as an election administration measure and would take effect immediately if enacted. In practical terms, the bill would change how ballots are formatted statewide by eliminating a ballot feature tied to party and independent designations. It does not alter candidate eligibility, ballot access, party enrollment, or the ordering of candidates; it only removes the visual letter identifier from ballot rows or columns. The affected statute is subdivision 7 of section 7-104 of the Election Law, as amended in 2019.

Impact

The bill would amend New York Election Law section 7-104(7) to strike the requirement that ballots print the designating letter for each party or independent row or column. Election officials and ballot designers would need to update ballot layouts, but the bill does not create new substantive rights or obligations for candidates, parties, or voters beyond the formatting change. Because it takes effect immediately, any implementation would occur as soon as the bill is enacted.

Sentiment

Based on the available record, there is no committee transcript or vote history showing debate, support, or opposition. The bill’s introduction and referral to the Senate Committee on Elections suggest it is being treated as a technical election-law revision. With no recorded discussion or votes, the overall sentiment cannot be measured directly, but the text itself indicates a narrow, administrative purpose rather than a controversial policy shift.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. The only identifiable issue is whether removing designating letters from ballots could affect voter clarity, ballot usability, or party identification, but no legislator or stakeholder comments are available to show support or opposition on that question. As a result, any controversy would likely center on ballot design and voter information rather than on broader election policy.