NY A04723

Establishes automatic hand recounts of all votes when the margin between candidates is 10 votes or less, or 0.5% of ballots cast, whichever is greater, with costs paid by the jurisdiction.

Allows losing candidates to request a hand recount within 5 days, with the candidate paying costs unless the recount changes the outcome or ballot images differ from machine counts.

Sets maximum hand count fee at 25 cents per ballot, with county boards of elections required to post the fee before an election.

Requires hand recounts of referendums or propositions when approval-disapproval margin is less than 0.5% of total votes cast, funded by the jurisdiction; margins greater than 0.5% require petition signatures from 25 eligible voters.

Mandates recount results be completed within 5 days, remain uncertified until hand count is finished, be made public with advance notice, and recount costs incurred by jurisdictions be reimbursed by the state.