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Bill

Bill

A 3816

Relates to additional days of voting as a result of emergencies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jo Anne Simon

Authorizes extra voting days triggered by emergencies to keep voting open when disasters disrupt schedules, aiding voters and election staff.

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 3816

Summary of Bill A 3816: Relates to additional days of voting as a result of emergencies

Quick facts

  • Bill number: A 3816
  • Title: Relates to additional days of voting as a result of emergencies
  • Sponsor: Jo Anne Simon (primary)
  • Status: Referred to Election Law
  • Introduced: January 30, 2025
  • Legislative actions: Referred to Election Law (dated January 30, 2025)
  • Related bills: A 10277 (prior-session), A 4073 (prior-session), A 1612 (prior-session), A 4333 (prior-session), A 7960 (prior-session); Senate companion: S 4234 (companion)

Purpose and intent

Based on the title, A 3816 aims to address voting access by creating additional voting days in response to emergencies. The bill is positioned within the Assembly’s Election Law committee for consideration, indicating a focus on how emergencies affect eligibility, access, and administration of elections.

Key provisions (availability and limitations)

As the text of the bill has not been provided, the exact provisions are not specified here. In bills of this nature, typical elements might include:
- Criteria for when additional voting days are triggered (e.g., declared emergencies such as natural disasters, public health crises).
- Authority and processes for designating extra voting days (state or local election officials, governor or Election Law guidance).
- Scope of additional days (early voting, extended polling hours on emergency days, weekend options, or special voting windows).
- Procedures for voters to access the extended voting days (clear notification requirements, documentation, or accommodations).
- Funding and resources for implementing additional days (polling place operations, staffing, security, accessibility).
- Public reporting and accountability measures (guidance, timelines, and record-keeping).
- Compliance with existing election laws and any preemption or harmonization with county practices.
Note: The above elements are typical for emergency-related voting provisions and are not stated in the provided bill text. The actual bill would specify the precise mechanisms, criteria, and implementation details.

Who would be affected

  • Voters: Potentially greater flexibility to vote if emergencies disrupt normal election schedules.
  • Election administrators and poll workers: Additional logistics, staffing, and resource requirements to operate on emergency days.
  • Local governments and counties: Implementation responsibilities and potential funding needs.
  • Campaigns and political organizations: Impacts on scheduling, turnout strategies, and outreach timing.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill has been introduced and immediately referred to the Assembly’s Election Law committee, indicating early-stage consideration.
  • Companion and related bills in the Senate (S 4234) suggest parallel or mirrored proposals in that chamber and potential alignment across houses in future actions.
  • Next steps would typically include committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Assembly; if advanced, a similar process would occur in the Senate for companion measures.

Observations

  • The available information does not provide the exact text or specific provisions. Readers should consult the bill’s full text and any committee memo for precise triggers, definitions, timelines, and fiscal implications once released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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