NY S02976

Establishes definitions and procedures for "military voters" including active military personnel, recently discharged service members (within 30 days), and their accompanying spouses, parents, children, or dependents who are qualified voters in the same school district.

Allows military voters to designate preference for receiving military ballots by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail, with designations remaining in effect until revoked or changed.

Requires boards of education to distribute military ballots no later than 25 days before elections (or 14 days for certain elections), with original ballot applications and ballots returned by mail or in person.

Military ballots must be received by the school district clerk by 5 p.m. on election day and show postal service cancellation marks, foreign postal service marks, government agency endorsement, or voter and witness signatures dated no later than the day before election to be counted.

Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt regulations and take necessary steps to implement military ballot provisions and utilize federal or other facilities for ballot distribution.