NY A10307

Replaces the four-commissioner structure of the New York State Board of Elections with a single elected secretary of elections position serving a four-year term.

Secretary of elections candidates must be registered New York voters, unaffiliated with any political party as of the filing deadline, and must run as independent candidates without primaries under existing nomination rules.

Elections for secretary of elections occur at the general election two years after gubernatorial elections.

Secretary of elections receives an annual salary of $125,000 and appoints co-executive directors and staff; co-executive directors must be selected based on qualifications and elections management experience and require state senate confirmation.

Grants the secretary authority to issue binding advisory opinions, conduct hearings, establish minimum qualifications for local election commissioners, create mandatory training programs, facilitate shared staffing among election boards, provide poll worker recruitment assistance, and distribute grants to local boards of elections.