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New YorkS 25892025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Relates to absentee ballots for relating to absentee ballots for school district elections

Sponsored By: Shelley Mayer (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

More voters qualify for school absentee ballots

Effective immediately, qualified New York school district voters can vote absentee when away from their county, regardless of the reason. You also qualify if illness, physical disability, primary caregiving duties for someone ill or physically disabled, or hospitalization prevents attendance. Residents and patients of veterans’ hospitals also qualify. Eligible voters away from their voting residence because of detention qualify while awaiting grand jury action or trial. Those jailed or imprisoned after a nonfelony conviction also qualify, provided they remain eligible to vote where they live. You must qualify on election day and give expected start and end dates for an absence covering multiple elections.

Family travel alone no longer qualifies voters

The law removes a separate reason for getting an absentee ballot in New York school district elections. Being away from the district while accompanying an eligible spouse, parent, or child no longer qualifies you by itself. You can still qualify for another reason, such as being away from your county.

School absentee applications require details and deadlines

New York school absentee applications require your full name, birth date, and home address, including street number and rural delivery route. Include any different mailing address and the address where the ballot should be sent. You must state that you are a qualified, registered voter and explain your election-day eligibility in good faith. You no longer need to give the previously required work, business, study, or vacation details. Applications for mailed ballots must arrive at least seven days before the election; personal-delivery applications must arrive by the day before.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shelley Mayer

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lea Webb

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 202 • No: 19

House vote • 5/21/2025

Assembly floor vote

Yes: 139 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 50 • No: 12

committee vote • 2/11/2025

Education Committee Vote

Yes: 13 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. SIGNED CHAP.541

    11/21/2025Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    11/17/2025Senate

  3. RETURNED TO SENATE

    5/21/2025House

  4. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    5/21/2025House

  5. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.218

    5/21/2025House

  6. SUBSTITUTED FOR A5301

    5/21/2025House

  7. REFERRED TO EDUCATION

    4/2/2025House

  8. DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    4/2/2025Senate

  9. PASSED SENATE

    4/2/2025Senate

  10. ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    2/24/2025Senate

  11. 2ND REPORT CAL.

    2/12/2025Senate

  12. 1ST REPORT CAL.309

    2/11/2025Senate

  13. REFERRED TO EDUCATION

    1/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Original

    1/21/2025

    PDF

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